Disability Benefits and Covid-19

By: Taylor Morin, Associate Lawyer

In March of 2020, Covid-19 arrived in New Brunswick. With its arrival came confusion, anxiety, and uncertainty. In the early months of the pandemic, many citizens began working from home and for several months, the entire province was on lockdown. The long-lasting effects of Covid-19 are yet to be known.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have determined that in some cases, serious and long-term consequences of the virus do exist, such as: cardiovascular issues, respiratory issues, renal issues, and neurological issues. Furthermore, from a psychological perspective, Statistics Canada has indicated that a recent survey has confirmed that since the onset of Covid-19, more than half of those surveyed have reported that their mental health has worsened.

In the months and years to come, it is possible that many New Brunswickers will be afflicted with long-lasting physical and psychological symptoms due to Covid-19. If you hold a private medical insurance policy with disability insurance and are struggling to complete the essential duties of your employment, you should consult your doctor immediately and determine if you are fit to continue working. If your doctor deems you incapable of working, you could have a valid disability claim through your private medical insurance. If you make a claim for disability insurance and are denied, you should contact a lawyer immediately and determine your legal rights and options.

At the Mike Murphy Accident Team, we have several individuals who are experienced and knowledgeable in the area of short-term and long-term disability benefits. If you believe that you have experienced a wrongful denial of benefits, please do not hesitate to call us. We would be happy to help.

DISCLAIMER: The publications on this website are intended to provide information of a general nature and not legal advice. The information contained in this publication is current to the date of the publication and may be subject to change following the publication date.