Skip to main content

Insurer Pays for Egregious Breach of Duty of Good Faith in Denying LTD Benefits

  • Photo: “IMG_20160909_162859” by pallavisharmaduffy is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

In Greig v Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company, the British Columbia Supreme Court recently chastised another long term disability (LTD) provider for wrongfully denying benefits to an injured employee.

Mr. Greig was employed by a British Columbia school district and was represented by CUPE Local 382.  He was covered by a collective agreement which provided for LTD coverage.  

After a motor vehicle collision, Mr. Greig developed debilitating pain in his neck, arm, and chest.  

He had severe headaches, emotional and psychological issues, and cognitive impairment. He submitted a claim for LTD benefits to insurer, Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company. It accepted the claim in March, 2012. 

He returned to work, but in January, 2014, injured himself again. He was unable to return to work. He submitted an another LTD claim to Desjardins. It again accepted it. He attended a work hardening program, but struggled.

In October, 2014, the work hardening program provider issued a discharge report that suggested a graduated return to work, pain strategies and an exercise program.

In April, 2015, Desjardins terminated his coverage.  It stated that it was awaiting a medical report from Mr. Greig. Upon receiving it, it would “review” his claim for further benefits.

Mr. Greig and  the insurer resolved the issue of his compensation entitlement under the Plan.

The issue before the court was whether Mr. Greig was entitled to additional damages for financial loss and mental distress, in addition to the benefits under the Plan, as a result of the insurer’s mishandling of his claim.

The insurer had required Mr. Greig to provide objective proof of disability. This was not required by the Plan text.

Once Mr. Greig commenced litigation, Desjardins focused on defending itself in the litigation. It ignored the claim and abandoned any meaningful adjudication of it.

The termination of Mr. Greig’s benefits catastrophically changed his and his wife’s financial situation. They could not pay their debts. The couple separated for a period of time.

The Court stated that:

The contract of insurance between an insurer and its insured is one of utmost good faith. In every insurance contract, an insurer has an implied obligation to deal with claims by its insureds in good faith.

The duty of good faith also requires an insurer to deal with its insured’s claim fairly. The duty to act fairly applies both to the manner in which the insurer investigates and assesses the claim and to the decision whether or not to pay the claim…. an insurer must assess the merits of the claim in a balanced and reasonable manner. It must not deny coverage or delay payment in order to take advantage of the insured’s economic vulnerability or to gain bargaining leverage in negotiating a settlement.

The Court considered another case, Godwin v. Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc. In that case, Desjardins failed to assess the claim in a fair and balanced manner. It repeatedly failed to analyze and weigh the evidence, applied tests for disability beyond those set out in the policy, and made findings that were not supported by the evidence. The court concluded that Desjardins breached its duty of good faith. Punitive damages, and special costs, were awarded.

Yet, the insurer did not receive the memo. In Mr. Greig’s case, it again repeated this conduct.

Upon termination of Mr. Greig’s benefits, Desjardins had overwhelming evidence of mental issues. It failed to take any steps to acknowledge, support, or investigate these issues until late 2016.

The insurer also improperly relied on the work hardening discharge report, even though no physician ever endorsed that plan.

Requests from Mr. Greig’s lawyer, and letters providing additional medical information, went unanswered.

The Court held that Desjardins’ failure to investigate the obvious mental health aspects of the plaintiff’s disability was an egregious breach of the duty of good faith it owed to Mr. Greig.  

The Court considered the leading decision of Whiten v. Pilot, in which the Supreme Court of Canada said that “[t]he financial or other vulnerability of the plaintiff, and the consequent abuse of power by a defendant, is highly relevant where there is a power imbalance.”

In the end, the Court awarded Mr. Greig $50,000 in aggravated damages and another $200,000 in punitive damages.

The Court quite rightly sent a strong message to insurers who fail to deal fairly and in good faith with injured, ill or disabled people. 

The insurer in this case even argued it was engaging in conduct that was “standard practice within the industry.”   Should that be so, as it may be, that is obviously deeply troubling.

If you feel an insurer is mishandling your claim, consider consulting a lawyer with knowledge in this area.  Be aware that your insurer owes you certain duties, and you have certain rights.

 

This is a slightly modified version of an article that is appearing in the Kelowna Daily Courier, the Kelowna Capital News and other online publications on or about January 17, 2020. The content of this article is intended to provide very general thoughts and general information, not to provide legal advice. Advice from an experienced legal professional should be sought about your specific circumstances.  If you would like to reach us, we may be reached at 250-764-7710 or through our website at inspirelaw.ca