St. Catharines Long Term Disability Lawyer
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Contact our St. Catharines long-term disability lawyers for a free consultation if you have legal questions regarding your long-term disability claim.
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No one is ever truly prepared for the worst case scenario. Injury-causing accidents can happen out of nowhere, regardless of how safety-conscious and attentive you are. And even people with healthy lifestyles can develop chronic illnesses or debilitating mental health disorders. When the unexpected happens and a newly acquired medical condition makes it impossible for patients to continue carrying out the duties of their jobs, the financial consequences could be disastrous.
That said, depending on their available insurance coverage, certain people who can no longer work because of a severe injury, illness, or mental health disorder may be able to qualify for Long-Term disability (LTD) benefits. The employees of certain businesses might be able to access LTD benefits through their employer’s group insurance plan. Others may wish to pay for an insurance policy independently of their employer, and might be able to access LTD benefits through their private insurance plan.
LTD benefits typically provide recipients with between 60-70% of their regular earnings. These monthly payments offer a source of stability to policyholders who, through no fault of their own, cannot continue to bring home their normal wages. LTD benefits might be the only source of income available to certain people living with a disability, and could provide crucial financial support while they are unable to return to their workplaces.
Unfortunately, not all claims for LTD benefits are initially approved by insurance providers. In fact, insurance companies might decide to deny an applicant’s claim for LTD benefits even if they provide their insurer with medical evidence that sufficiently illustrates the severity of their medical condition and its inhibiting effects on their ability to perform the duties of their job.
Insurers may decide to deny an applicant’s claim for LTD benefits for a number of reasons, including:
- Insufficient supporting medical evidence was included in the application
- Claim was filed late, past requisite deadlines
- There is no objective evidence of disability (often the case with “invisible” injuries or illnesses)
- The medical condition does not meet the insurance policy’s definition of “disability”
- The policy includes contractual stipulations (often excluding pre-existing conditions) that disqualify a claimant’s application
- The claimant refused to undergo an independent medical examination (IME)
- And more
Our Long-Term disability lawyers serving St. Catharines believe that eligible claimants with an appropriate level of insurance coverage should be able to receive the coverage they deserve without being subjected to unfair treatment. With assistance from our St. Catharines Long-Term disability lawyers, policyholders who have been mistreated by their insurer may be able to recover the coverage they are rightfully owed. By working with our Long-Term disability lawyers serving St. Catharines, eligible claimants might be able to recover compensation for:
- Previously denied benefits
- Legal fees
- Damages resulting from the claim’s initial denial
- Punitive damages
- And possible more
To discuss your case with our St. Catharines Long-Term disability lawyers, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today.
Call 1-800-JUSTICE And Receive A Free Initial Consultation
Our St. Catharines Long-Term disability lawyers have experience helping mistreated insurance policyholders recover the income replacement payments they are rightfully owed. By taking advantage of a free initial consultation with our Long-Term disability lawyers serving St. Catharines, you can receive personalized feedback on your case for absolutely no charge.
To discuss options for financial recovery that might be available to you, call 1-800-JUSTICE and speak with our St. Catharines Long-Term disability lawyers today.
Do you live in St. Catharines? Here’s how we can help:
Proudly Canadian
Award Winning Personal Injury Law Firm
We are proud to be one of Canada’s oldest and long-standing personal injury law firms. Since 1959, we have been providing exceptional legal services and have established ourselves as leading personal injury lawyers in the Canadian legal community. It’s not just the awards that recognize our achievements, but also the wins we’ve achieved for thousands of Canadians with their long-term disability claims.
Case Results
long-term disability Settlements
Please note that past results are not indicative of future results as each scenario presents itself with its unique set of circumstances. But here are some long-term disability related wins we’ve had for our clients.
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Download Our "Long-Term Disability Appeals" E-Book
Here’s an e-book you might find useful if you’re interested in learning more about how long-term disability claims work.
In this ebook, you’ll learn:
- The difference between an internal appeal and a lawsuit
- How the LTD appeals process typically works in Ontario
- What evidence you can gather to strengthen your appeal
- How to respond to insurance company requests and other tactics they might use
- What deadlines may apply to your appeal
- The benefits of working with an LTD lawyer when you need to appeal your denied claim
- And more
Download Our "I’m Approaching Change of Definition" E-Book
Here’s an e-book you might find useful if you’re interested in learning more about how long-term disability claims work.
This ebook will help you:
- Understand what “change of definition” means when it comes to LTD policies
- Learn when this shift typically occurs and how it might affect your eligibility
- Know what evidence you can collect to support your continued claim
- Identify warning signs that a denial or termination might be coming
- Explore your legal options when your insurer cuts off your benefits
- Discover how a long-term disability lawyer can advocate for your rights
- And more
Download Our "Denied Long-Term Disability Benefits" E-Book
Here’s an e-book you might find useful if you’re interested in learning more about how long-term disability claims work.
In this ebook, you’ll learn:
- Common reasons why long-term disability claims are denied in Ontario
- What to do immediately after receiving an LTD denial
- The difference between appealing a denial and filing a lawsuit against your insurer
- How to gather strong medical and occupational evidence to support your claim
- What deadlines apply to LTD claim disputes
- How our long-term disability lawyers can help you build a strong case
- What compensation you may be entitled to
- And more
Download Our "Applying for Long-Term Disability Benefits" E-Book
Here’s an e-book you might find useful if you’re interested in learning more about how long-term disability claims work.
In this ebook, you can read about:
- Who qualifies for LTD benefits in Ontario
- How to effectively complete your LTD application package
- What medical and employment documentation you need to collect
- How insurance companies evaluate LTD claims
- Tips to avoid common errors that may lead to delays or denials
- What to do if your claim is denied
- How our long-term disability lawyers can support your application
- And more
More long-term disability Video Resources
We also have some videos on the topic of long-term disability claims
long-term disability FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions for long-term disability claims
How long will it take to settle my case?
The duration of a long-term disability case can vary depending on a number of factors, including the reasons provided for the claim’s denial, the policyholder’s standing with their insurance provider, the complexity of the claimant’s case, the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate, Court availability, and other considerations. Generally speaking, it can take between 1-3 years for a fair resolution to be reached.
How much will I pay in lawyers’ fees?
Our long-term disability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if the case is won, and our fees are based on a percentage of the compensation awarded. You will not be required to pay any upfront fees out-of-pocket in order to pursue legal action.
How long do I have to sue?
The statute of limitations for a long-term disability lawsuit in Ontario is generally two years from the date of the denial of benefits or the last payment of benefits. However, depending on the circumstances of the case, the lawsuit could be subject to additional time limitations. It is crucial to speak with a long-term disability lawyer as soon as possible, so as to not jeopardize your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Do I have a strong case?
The answer to this question depends on the facts of your individual case. Our Ontario long-term disability lawyers should be able to evaluate the terms of your policy, review the evidence available to you, and consult with medical experts to assess the strength of your claim.
How much compensation will I get?
It is almost impossible to predict the specific amount of compensation you might be entitled to, however after reviewing the details of your case, our Ontario long-term disability lawyers may be able to provide you with an estimate that you could reasonably expect to be offered. The decision to accept settlement offers is yours and yours alone.
Do you represent insurance companies?
No, our long-term disability lawyers are solely committed to protecting the rights of policyholders who have been unfairly treated by insurance providers.
Will the insurance company continue to pay my disability benefits after we settle the case?
The answer to this question depends on the terms of your individual settlement. In most cases, the settlement will include a lump sum payment for past and future benefits. After agreeing to these terms and accepting this settlement offer, future benefits will no longer be paid. However, in some scenarios, insurance companies may only offer to settle for past benefits owing and might agree to continue paying benefits after the case is settled until the terms of the policy are reached.
Should I speak to the adjuster on my file after my benefits have been terminated?
It is not recommended that you speak to the adjuster on your file after your benefits have been terminated. Anything you say could be used against you. That is why it is best to consult with our long-term disability lawyers before communicating with your insurance company.
Got more questions?
If you have more questions or need legal help regarding long-term disability claims, contact our legal team for help.
We’re happy to help.
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