Long COVID

There is still so much we do not know about the long-term effects of COVID-19. Even after an aggressive nationwide vaccine rollout plan has staved off catastrophic levels of infection, many people are still suffering the lingering, debilitating effects of COVID-19. 

Typically, the symptoms associated with COVID-19 persist for a two-week period, during which the patient is highly contagious. In most cases, symptoms typically subside within this fourteen-day period. However, anywhere between 10-30% of patients infected with COVID-19 develop lingering symptoms which could last for weeks, months, or longer.  

As of the autumn of 2021, there are approximately 150,000 Canadians experiencing the effects of long COVID, also referred to as post-COVID-19 condition. According to the World Health Organization, about one in ten COVID-19 “long-haulers” will experience symptoms for longer than 12 weeks past their initial infection.   

Both the federal and provincial pandemic responses prioritized urgent, preventative measures to reduce the number of people infected with this potentially fatal virus. However, little has been done to support people still battling the prolonged, debilitating effects of long COVID that continue to plague countless Canadians.   

Symptoms of Post-COVID-19 Condition 

The symptoms of long COVID vary from case to case. However, the most frequently reported effects experienced by long-haulers include breathlessness, heart palpitations, lingering coughs, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and brain fog. Other symptoms that may linger over time include: 

• Muscle and joint pains 
• Chest pains 
• Headaches 
• Fever 
• Dizziness when sitting down or standing up 
• Increased heart rate 
• Difficulty remembering or concentrating 
• Sleep deprivation 
• Loss of taste or smell 
• Depression  
• Anxiety 
• And possibly more

Many COVID-19 long-haulers report a worsening of symptoms after even light exercise. Some young, athletic people who were infected with COVID-19 now have difficulty climbing stairs, walking short distances, changing positions from sitting to standing, or moving without the use of a mobility aid.  

Long COVID can cause damage to patients’ internal organs, including their lungs, heart, and brain. COVID-19 long-haulers may develop the following serious medical conditions: 

• Fibrosis (lung scarring) 
• Damaged alveoli in lungs 
• Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) 
• Abnormal heart rhythms  
• Strokes and seizures 
• Guillain-Barre syndrome (temporary paralysis)  
• Blood clots  
• Blood vessel problems 
• Long-lasting damage to kidney and liver 
• Increased risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s  
• And possibly more 

Are COVID-19 Long-Haulers Eligible for LTD Benefits? 

People suffering from long COVID face a great deal of uncertainty. So much is still unknown about the lingering effects of post-COVID-19 condition that people whose lives have been seriously disrupted by it have no way of knowing just how long their symptoms will last. And while physical therapies, medication, and other medical treatments may help long-haulers improve their lingering symptoms, no one can be sure how long it will take for them to fully recover from their illness. 

The symptoms of long COVID may make it impossible for long-haulers to continue performing the duties of their jobs. Even people in the prime of their lives with no previous history of medical complaints may find themselves incapacitated by the effects of their lingering infection. Returning to work may simply not be a viable option for thousands of long-haulers across the country. 

If your symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition prevent you from carrying out the tasks associated with your job, provided you have the appropriate level of insurance coverage, you may be eligible to recover long-term disability (LTD) benefits from your insurance provider. LTD benefits can provide much-needed income replacement payments to eligible policyholders whose medical conditions prevent them from working.  

Unfortunately, even if you have been granted short-term disability (STD) benefits while you grapple with the effects of long COVID, your insurance provider may find reasons to deny your claim for LTD benefits. Despite the fact that your condition makes it impossible for you to continue working, your insurance provider may determine that you are not eligible to collect LTD benefits.  

How a Lawyer May Be Able to Help if Your Claim for LTD Benefits Was Denied  

Long-haulers whose claims for LTD benefits have been denied face even greater uncertainty. Unable to continue working because of their disabling medical conditions and unable to collect the insurance benefits they are rightfully owed, long-haulers may develop even greater anxieties about their abilities to continue supporting themselves and their families. 

It is still too early to know for certain how insurance providers will react to the influx of LTD benefits claims submitted by COVID-19 long-haulers. However, receiving a denied claim for LTD benefits can be frustrating, demoralizing, and panic-inducing, especially for those experiencing symptoms of an entirely new medical condition.   

If your claim for LTD benefits was denied even though you are experiencing severe symptoms of long COVID that make it impossible for you to go on working, Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to offer you crucial legal assistance.  

By pursuing legal action against the insurance provider that unfairly denied your claim for LTD benefits, Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to help you recover the compensation to which you are rightfully entitled, including:  

• Previously denied benefits payments
• Legal fees 
• Damages for mental stress experienced 
• Punitive damages 
• And possibly more 

Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers Today 

If your ability to perform the duties of your job has been curtailed by the effects of long COVID, your focus should be on your physical health and well-being. If your claim for LTD benefits was denied by your insurance provider, Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to fight on your behalf so that you can focus on healing. Our long-term disability lawyersserving British Columbia are committed to standing up to the unfair tactics often employed by insurance companies, and helping our clients recover the compensation they deserve. 

To review your situation with our long-term disability lawyers, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today by calling 1-844-373-8202.