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Long Term Disability Claims for Canada Post Workers

Long Term Disability Claims for Canada Post Workers

Postal workers face unique mental health and physical stressors in the workplace, due to the strenuous and repetitive nature of their work. Postal work is performed through a variety of roles, such as drivers, letter carriers, postal sorters, and counter clerks. Many employees work shifts, engage in physical duties and provide services in a customer facing role, which can take a toll on one’s body and mind. Prolonged sitting, standing and concentration are often required, as well as repetitive movements over extended periods of time. Drivers and letter carriers often face hazardous working environments when delivering mail in adverse weather conditions and high traffic areas, which creates higher instances of workplace injuries and stress. The physical nature of postal work can lead to chronic pain, fibromyalgia, back pain, shoulder pain and other physical conditions, which can develop into short term and long term disabilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced additional stressors to the workplace, which can have severe impacts on employee mental health. Since the start of the pandemic, postal workers have been deemed essential services, which requires them to be physically at work and maintain their regular duties, potentially exposing them to the virus. Postal workers come into contact with mail, commute to work every day, share confined space with coworkers, while possibly interacting with people at homes they deliver to, which all increases their chances of contracting the virus.

According to an article published by the Toronto Tribune, numerous employees have reported concerns to the Canada Post Union Representatives and Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board about COVID-19 mitigation methods being insufficient (Fitzgerald, 2020). One employee was quoted saying “I feel scared, unprotected, and helpless”, while another employee was quoted saying “It is only a matter of time before this virus enters our workplace (Fitzgerald, 2020).” The stress caused by potentially being exposed to the virus in the workplace can lead to disorders, such as anxiety, depression and PTSD. These disorders can manifest into psychological and physiological symptoms, which can lead to short term and long term disability.

If you are a postal worker that is experiencing severe mental or physical stress that has affected your ability to work you should initiate a long term disability claim. You can contact your Union representative who can help guide you through the process. Long term disability (LTD) coverage for Canada Post employees is provided by Manulife and Sunlife.

Many of our clients at Kotak Law have been surprised and frustrated when Manulife or Sunlife has denied or terminated their disability insurance claim. Sometimes they are told that there is insufficient medical evidence or that the test for total disability has changed and there is some other job that they can do.

At Kotak Law our disability insurance lawyers have been successful in suing Manulife and Sunlife, and securing large lump sum settlements for our clients who suffer from illnesses such as chronic pain, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, colitis, IBS, cancer or even stress alone.

KOTAK PERSONAL INJURY LAW/DISABILITY LAWYERS CAN HELP YOU

We understand that being denied short term disability or long term disability benefits can be devastating. Your time to fight your disability insurance company is limited. Please do not delay in calling a short and long term disability claim lawyer at Kotak Personal Injury Law. We have successfully sued numerous disability insurance companies including Manulife, Sunlife, Desjardins, Cigna, Great West Life, Equitable Life, Empire LIfe, London Life, Blue Cross, AIG, SSQ, RBC, Industrial Alliance, Canada Life, Fenchurch, Teachers Life and more.

Call your trusted long term disability lawyers at 1-888-GOKOTAK (Toll Free for all of Canada), or (416) 816-1500 (Local Number for Ontario Residents), (403) 319-0071, (587) 414-1010 (Local Numbers for Alberta Residents). Our consultation is free and we don’t get paid until you do. We represent disabled people throughout Ontario and Alberta, including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, Georgetown, Orangeville, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, St.Catharines, Niagara Falls, Stoney Creek, Kitchener/Waterloo, Cambridge, London, Windsor, Markham, Pickering, Oshawa, Peterborough, Keswick, Kingston, Ottawa, Banff, Brooks, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Jasper, Lake Louise, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Saint Albert and other locations.

Reference

https://www.thetorontotribune.com/2020/03/21/canada-post-employees-feel-unprotected-and-helpless-at-work/