One of the worst things in life is losing your ability to work due to an illness or injury. It gets worse when your insurance company denies your long term disability claim. At Longo Lawyers, we know how tough it is for people in Essex County to lose their income unexpectedly while dealing with major health issues. It’s hard to deal with the stress of fighting an insurance company while dealing with a disability, especially if you’re already worried about paying bills, supporting your family and covering medical costs.
Long term disability payments are supposed to replace your income if you can’t work due to a health problem. Most people get this through their job perks which are part of their overall pay. Depending on your policy terms and type of disability, the insurance pays between 60 and 70% of your regular income. It should continue until you can go back to work, reach retirement age or in some cases for the rest of your life. Wrongful Death claims support families seeking accountability and financial stability after a tragic loss.
Many people find that getting certified for benefits or keeping them is much harder than they thought, even though they paid premiums for this protection. Insurance companies deny claims for a wide range of reasons, some of which are reasonable and some of which are ridiculous. They can say your medical records don’t show you’re disabled enough. They might admit you have health problems but say you can still work in some way, even if it’s not in your old job. They often want you to see doctors of their choice for independent medical exams and these doctors usually give recommendations that downplay your limitations and support denying benefits. In some cases, insurance companies will approve claims at first but then stop them later. They may use surveillance footage or reassessments to justify cutting off benefits.
The main problem is that insurance companies are businesses that want to make a profit. They have a legal and contractual obligation to pay claims, but their duty to policyholders and their own financial interests are at odds with each other. They want to make money and paying claims cuts into that. They have a duty to pay genuine claims but their commitment to policyholders and their own financial interests are at war with each other. That’s unfair because disabled people usually can’t get fair treatment without a lawyer.
Longo Lawyers helps clients understand their rights and build strong arguments to fight unfair denial of disability claims. A full review of your policy is the first step in every case. The exact wording is very important because policies differ in how they define disability, what exclusions apply, how long benefits last and when benefits can be stopped. To come up with a plan you need to know exactly what your policy covers and what it excludes.
In every case of disability, medical evidence is key. Your doctors must give you full records of your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment history, how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work and your prognosis. Insurance companies look very closely at medical data and often deny claims because they think there are gaps or problems with the evidence. We help our clients make sure their doctors give them full proof that clearly shows how bad their disability is and why they can’t work.
After a certain period of time, usually two years, many disability policies change the way they define disability. At first you might only have to show you can’t do your own job. After the modification you have to show you can’t do any job you’re reasonably qualified for by education, training and experience. This change usually means the end of benefits because insurers say claimants could theoretically work in some way, even if that work isn’t really available or suitable.
When dealing with denied claims time is of the essence. There are strict deadlines to appeal denials or start lawsuits and these deadlines are different for different policies. If you miss these dates in Essex County or anywhere else in Ontario you may never get your benefits back. It’s very important to go to a lawyer that specializes in disability claims as soon as you get a denial to protect your rights.
Many people who have already lost their jobs are worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer. We only charge you legal fees if we get you benefits for your long term disability case. We charge a portion of what we get back, so you can file your claim without paying upfront fees when money is tight. Sports Injury Accidents cases address injuries resulting from unsafe environments, inadequate supervision, or negligence.
If you want to fight a disability denial you may have to negotiate, file an internal appeal with the insurance company or go to court. The best way to handle things depends on your situation. Some disputes can be settled through talks but others need to be taken to court and possibly go to trial. Whatever happens with your case we will fight for your rights and the benefits you are entitled to under your policy.
You have options if your long term disability claim has been denied or stopped in Essex County. You don’t have to deal with the insurance company on your own. We’re here to help you get the money you need at this tough time.