Do you believe that your claim for long-term disability benefits was unfairly denied?
If you’ve been diagnosed with an illness or injury that prohibits your ability to work for a lengthy period of time, you may choose to file a long-term disability claim. Long-term disability benefits may allow you to collect a percentage of your regular salary if your medical condition prevents you from returning to work.
In some situations, insurance companies may deny claims for long-term disability benefits. If you believe your claim was unfairly denied, a Welland long-term disability claims lawyer may be able to help you receive the benefits to which you’re entitled. With the assistance of a lawyer serving the Niagara region, you may be able to file an internal appeal or a lawsuit against your insurance company.
Applying for Long-Term Disability Benefits
Before submitting an application for long-term disability benefits, claimants may visit a medical professional to receive an official diagnosis for a condition that prevents them from performing the duties of their current job. Claimants may be required to include supporting evidence in their application for benefits, including medical documents illustrating the severity of their conditions.
Ensuring that your application’s paperwork has been completed thoroughly and accurately can decrease the chances of an insurance company denying your claim. If you need help compiling supporting evidence for your application, a Welland long-term disability lawyer may be able to provide you with assistance.
Determining Eligibility for Long-Term Disability Benefits
In order to collect long-term disability benefits in Welland, you must meet certain criteria, established by your insurance provider. If you do not meet all their criteria, your claim for benefits may be denied. Although eligibility requirements for long-term disability benefits vary between insurance companies, generally speaking, in order to qualify, claimants must:
Be enrolled in good standing in an insurance policy that covers long-term disabilities
- Experience a medical condition that prevents them from returning to work or performing routine tasks
- Receive regular medical treatment
- Have been unable to return to work for a significant period of time because of their medical conditions
In order to receive long-term disability benefits, you may need to supply evidence proving that your injury or illness prevents you from performing the duties of your current job. Depending on the conditions of your insurance policy, qualifications may become stricter after a few years of long-term disability leave. At that point, in order to continue receiving long-term disability benefits, you may be required to demonstrate that you are unable to work at any job. Every situation is different so it’s best to consult with a personal injury lawyer regarding this.
Receiving Long-Term Disability Benefits
If your application for long-term disability benefits is approved, your insurance company may provide you with a percentage of your regular salary while you are unable to work. According to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, most long-term disability policies provide recipients between 60-70% of their normal income. Benefits recipients may also receive a portion of their compensation from the Canada Pension Plan.
Appealing a Denied Claims for Long-Term Disability Benefits
Claims for long-term disability benefits may be denied by insurance companies for a number of reasons. In these cases, although claimants may believe their medical condition entitled them to receive benefits, they may receive no compensation from their insurance providers.
If your claim for benefits was unfairly denied, a Welland long-term disability claims lawyer may be able to help you appeal the insurance company’s decision.
With the assistance of a long-term disability claims lawyer, you may be able to file either an internal or external appeal. Internal appeals are made directly to the insurance company. In many of these appeal processes, providing missing information or resolving minor technicalities may lead to the approval of a previously denied claim. An external appeal involves filing a lawsuit against the insurance company that denied your claim. In those situations, a judge or jury would decide whether you are eligible to collect benefits, rather than the insurance company.
Call Preszler Injury Lawyers for a Free Initial Consultation
If your claim for long-term disability benefits was denied by your insurance company, a lawyer serving the Niagara region may be able to provide you with assistance by:
- Carefully examining the fine details of your policy
- Studying the evidence in your case
- Identifying missing proof of eligibility
- Negotiating a settlement or filing an appeal on your behalf
- Taking your case to trial, if necessary
For a free initial consultation on your case, call Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE. Remember – there is no fee unless we win.
