continued on page 2

IN PERSON: Kaitlyn Blake, Gymnastics Coach Training young athletes eight hours a day, five days a week definitely encouraged 39-year-old Kaitlyn Blake, a former gymnast herself, to lead a healthy lifestyle. That is, until lingering pain from an injury caused her to develop an addiction to the powerful painkiller, OxyContin.

Ruptured Achilles TendonOne day during practice, Kaityn attempted to demonstrate a dismount for her students but landed awkwardly on her feet. She heard a popping sound and felt as if she had been kicked hard in her right calf. She knew these were tell-tale signs of an Achilles rupture and was taken to the hospital right away.

A Standard Prescription Kaitlyn underwent open surgery to repair her tendon and, during recovery, was given a prescription for OxyContin to help combat her pain. However, her recovery was slow. After the cast was removed and she began phsyiotherapy, Kaitlyncontinued to complain about pain in her lower leg. The doctor refilled her OxyContin prescription for another two weeks, this time with a smaller dose to help her taper off the pills.

Addiction DevelopsSix weeks after surgery, Kaitlyn had progressed to using crutches. However, she was becoming increasingly frustrated with

the advice of her doctors, who stated that recovery would take time and she should take a break from coaching in order to give her tendon a proper chance to heal. Kaitlyn decided that taking two 10mg pills of OxyContin every 12 hours instead of the one 10mg pill prescribed by her doctor would help get rid of the pain completely and have her back on the mat in no time.

As the weeks progressed, Kaitlyn’s anxiety grew. The only time she felt okay was when she took her pills, which gave her a feeling of euphoria and deadened the emotional and physical pain of her injury. Soon, she was chewing the OxyContin instead of swallowing in order to feel the effects faster.

When her doctor refused to refill her third prescription and urged her to stop coaching for a while, Kaitlyn desperately resorted to purchasing the pills illegally through an acquaintance.

Kaitlyn struggled with an addiction and a disability claim that was denied before calling Share awyers.

Scan with your smartphone to be directed to our website.

ISSUE 21, AUTUMN 2011

Did You Know:Opioid Addictions

Ask a Lawyer:Addictions & Disability Claims

New! VIP Client Program

A Day in History:Banting & Best

Inspiration Corner:How Do You De-Stress?

You Said It!

THIS ISSUE

2

3

4

Call 1-888-777-1109 for your free copy of Disability Benefits Denied: What To Do When The Insurance Company Denies Your Disability Claim

FREE DISABILITY BOOKLET

SHAREPERSPECTIVESA NEWSLETTER FOR CLIENTS AND FRIENDS OF SHARE LAWYERS

ISSUE 23, SPRING II 2012

Opioids are a family of drugs that have morphine-like effects. The primary medical use for prescription opioids is to relieve pain. Other medical uses include control of coughs and diarrhea, and the treatment of addiction to other opioids.

When opioids are used as directed under medical super-vision in the general population, there is little risk of ad-diction. However, the risk appears to be higher in people with a history of abuse or addiction. Anyone who takes opioids regularly will develop physical dependence.

Addiction happens when a drug becomes central to a person’s thoughts, emotions and activities, and he or she feels a craving or compulsion to continue using the drug. This may or may not include physical dependence. Signs and symptoms of opioid addiction may include:

• feeling no pain• sedation• euphoria• respiratory depression (shallow breathing)• small pupils, bloodshot eyes• nausea, vomiting• itchy or flushed skin • Blue extremities • constipation• slurred speech• confusion; poor judgment• needle marks on the skin

If you think you might be addicted to prescription medication, get help! Consult a doctor immediately.

(Adapted from Do You Know… Prescription Opioids © 2003, 2010 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) SP

Addiction Becomes DisablingSix months had passed since Kaitlyn’s surgery and the pain in her Achilles tendon had finally gone away, yet Kaitlyn was still purchasing OxyContin illegally and increasing her dosage daily.

Although Kaitlyn had started coaching again, her students noticed that she was behaving erratically, often missing practice entirely. Soon, concerned parents began to pull their children out of Kaitlyn’s gymnastics program. Eventually, she stopped getting out of bed.

Kaitlyn had hit rock bottom. Thankfully, her husband suspected that his wife had a problem. With the intervention of her family, friends and doctors, he convinced Kaitlyn to seek help for her addiction.

Kaitlyn agreed to get professional help by entering an inpatient rehab program on the advice of her doctor.

Benefits DeniedKaitlyn applied for disability benefits through her private insurer and was shocked to receive a denial. The insurance company stated that Kaityn had not followed her doctor’s orders when she was first prescribed the OxyContin and that her addiction was caused by her failure to comply with her doctor’s treatment plan.

Share Lawyers Fights for Kaitlyn’s BenefitsKaitlyn enlisted the services of Share Lawyers to help fight her insurance. She was relieved when the case was settled in her favour during mediation, awarding her a lump sum settlement that would allow her to focus on rehab while her coaching career was on hold. Kaitlyn recently called the Share Lawyers office to announce that she was 17 weeks clean and on the path to recovery. Congratulations, Kaitlyn! SP

All names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals mentioned

IN PERSON: Kaitlyn Blake (continued from page 1)

DID YOU KNOW:Prescription Opioid Addictions

SHARE PERSPECTIVES 2

Q: Are addictions recognized as illnesses under most health insurance policies?

A: Having an addiction is generally recognized to be an illness. Whether the addiction will entitle a person to insurance benefits will depend on the specific provisions of the applicable insurance policy. Under the typical group benefit policy, a substance abuse addiction to drugs or alcohol can form the basis of a disabling condition that would entitle an individual to disability benefits, provided that they are compliant with medical treatment, which may often include the necessity to be actively participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program.

Q: I have a gambling addiction, for which I am seeking professional help. Am I eligible for disability benefits?

A: A gambling addiction that includes anxiety, depression, panic and other symptoms that interfere with day-to-day functioning can form the basis for a disability claim. Seeking professional help to deal with the addiction is generally a requirement for qualifying for disability benefits.

Our new VIP points program allows us to show our deepest gratitude to you, our client, when you refer someone to our firm. You will receive 100 points every time you refer a friend or family member and we accept the case. Here’s what your accumulated points will give you:

100 points - A charitable donation will be made on behalf of all client referrals, and your name will be published in our client newsletter with your permission.

300 points - Invitation to contribute an original quote to our Client Inspiration Area in the Share Lawyers waiting room and include your personal story in our client newsletter with your permission.

500+ points - Invitation to a special event for clients who provide referrals.

We hope you enjoy our new VIP points program and thank you for giving us the opportunity to be of service. SP

ASK A LAWYER: Addictions & Disability Claims New!

Client VIP Program

The discovery of insulin in 1921 by two young investigators at the University of Toronto, Dr. Frederick Banting and Charles Best, was one of the most important medical achievements of the twentieth century.

This discovery brought worldwide acclaim to Frederick G. Banting and his colleagues, Charles H. Best and James Collip, and to their adviser John J.R. MacLeod. Banting and MacLeod were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1923. Prior to the discovery of insulin there was no way to treat diabetics. Today, the lives of millions worldwide are saved through the use of this hormone. (Source: University of Toronto) SP

A Day in History: Banting & Best

From real court records:

Q: “I show you Exhibit 3 and ask you if you recognize that picture?”

A: “That’s me.”

Q: “Were you present when that picture was taken?”

Laugh!

3ISSUE 23, SPRING II 2012

“Curl up with a good book or listen to some music.” – Trish Aguiar, Legal Assistant

“I like to go for long runs on Sunday mornings, and then recover at a coffee shop with a hot cup of ginger tea. I‘m preparing for the half marathon run on May 6, 2012.” – Charlena Claxton, Associate Lawyer

“I like to play outdoors with my kids.” – Courtney Mulqueen, Associate Lawyer

“I play my guitar.” – Kirk Sloane, Associate Lawyer

“I de-stress by doing kickboxing.” – Christine Chang, Law Clerk

“Read or be read to by my teenage daughter.” – Shira Bernholtz, Client Services Lawyer

“I start going through the BBC World News headlines. By the time I finish skimming them, I feel a lot better as my stresses are nothing compared to the situations faced by the people in this world.” – Tarun Singh, Law Clerk

“I put my iPod on random and spend some quality time in the kitchen preparing a good meal or baking a cake.” –Volker Triebe, Senior Law Clerk

“I take a walk in the park.” –Joy Nastaskin, Bookkeeper

Inspiration Corner How do you de-stress?

Share Lawyers is a leading Toronto law firm focused on insurance disputes in Ontario. Following an accident or illness, Share Lawyers helps people to get the support they need and deserve. The firm particularly appreciates referrals of people with long-term disabilities who struggle with private or group insurance claims. When you recommend Share Lawyers that is the best advertising.

Share Perspectives is one way to keep in touch through a claim and after settlement. Share Lawyers also respects your confidentiality. If you want your name and address added or removed from the Share Perspective mailing list, then send an e-mail to newsletter@sharelawyers.com.

Get Social! Visit www.ShareLawyers.com to join our online communities!

Tell a FriendCOMMENTS FROM ACTUAL CLIENTS

You Said It!

“It was a complete pleasure working with David [Share]. He always demonstrated genuine compassion and determination. He would go out of his way to say hello when I visited the office for meetings with other staff members.” – J.B., long-term disability claim

“On behalf of myself and my family I would like to thank the staff and associates for their hard work and dedication, which produced results with which I am more than satisfied.” – D.B., long-term disability claim

“Leanne Goldstein has amazing negotiation skills. She handled my case with a great outcome. I was very happy working with her.” – T.T., long-term disability claim

(416) 488-9000 1-888-777-1109

legal@sharelawyers.comwww.ShareLawyers.com www.ShareDisabilityLaw.com

3442 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4N 2M9

No fees unless we win your case

SHARE PERSPECTIVES 4