Unfortunately for Murphy, his Toronto-based insurance company decided he is not quite paralyzed enough for compensation, and so he has launched an unusual lawsuit, fighting for the legal right to be recognized as paraplegic. With his high-tech rehab, including robot exoskeletons, Murphy’s case raises questions about whether advances in medical technology might skew insurance claims, by easing disability just enough that payment can be denied. Being penalized for maybe having a glimmer of hope of one day being able to walk again is beyond sad. The insurance company, SSQ Insurance, paid his hospital bill, but denied his paralysis claim, saying he had not proven it was permanent. SSQ took advantage of his economic vulnerability, Murphy claims.

Source: National Post February 01, 2017 03:25 UTC