Getting long-term disability(LTD) in Markham should give you the money you need to live when you can’t work because of an illness or injury. Unfortunately, many people find that their insurance company makes it harder than they thought to get approved. We have seen many cases where valid claims were denied for reasons that didn’t make sense or because the medical evidence wasn’t looked at closely enough. We know how frustrating and stressful it can be to have your disability claim denied. That’s why we work hard to get you the benefits you deserve.
There is an inherent imbalance in the relationship between claimants and insurance companies. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers, adjusters and medical reviewers who work to keep costs down and protect their profits. When you file a claim, you may have to deal with this system on your own while also dealing with a serious health issue. By bringing our experience and knowledge to your side, we make things fair. Our goal is to make sure your insurance company follows through on their promises and doesn’t try to get out of paying.
There are many rules in long-term disability policies that determine if you can get benefits and how long they will last. Your coverage may depend on whether you can do your own job or any job that you are reasonably qualified for. Some policies limit benefits for certain conditions, especially mental health issues. To make a good case, you need to know these things. We read your policy and explain how its specific terms apply to your case. We can make a plan that works for you based on what we know about you.
Medical records are the most important part of any disability claim, but many people don’t know what insurance companies need. Your doctor may think you’re disabled, but that’s not enough to prove it. Insurance companies want to see detailed reports that explain your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment history and any limitations on your ability to function. They try to find objective proof whenever they can, like imaging results, lab results or scores on standardized tests. We help you work with your doctor to make sure reports have all the information they need and are written in a way that insurance adjusters can understand.
When someone files a claim for an injury that causes permanent disability, like a slip, trip or fall, they need to document how the injury caused the disability. Insurance companies say you should have gotten better by now or that your ongoing symptoms have nothing to do with the original event. We collect proof that shows how your accident is related to your current problems. This can include getting medical opinions from specialists, researching how long it takes to recover and giving evidence of how your condition has changed since the injury.
The first step in the claims process is filling out a lot of paperwork and giving a lot of information about your job, medical history and what you do every day. If you make a small mistake or don’t answer a question completely, it can cause delays or denials. We help with applications to make sure they are correct and complete. This includes helping you explain your job duties in detail, telling you exactly how your condition stops you from working and answering all your questions fully. A strong first application reduces the likelihood of problems later. Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, or retailers for injuries or damages caused by defective or unsafe products.
It can be shocking to get a denial, especially when you think your claim is clear-cut. Insurance companies give many reasons for denying claims such as not having enough medical evidence, not meeting the policy definition of disability or not following treatment recommendations. Some of the denials we’ve seen ignored clear medical evidence or were based on biased reviews from doctors hired by the insurance company. To fight these denials you need to take a strategic approach that deals with each reason given and adds more evidence to support your claim.
The appeals process has strict deadlines that don’t allow for any delays. Most policies only give you 30 to 90 days to file an appeal after your request is denied. If you miss this deadline you may never be able to challenge the decision again. We make sure appeals are filed quickly and include strong arguments backed up by medical evidence. We don’t just meet deadlines, we also write legal arguments that explain why the denial was wrong and why you are eligible for benefits under the terms of your policy.
Many disability claims in Markham are for conditions that get better or worse over time or that standard medical tests can’t measure. This group includes people with chronic pain, fatigue disorders and mental health issues. Insurance companies are often skeptical of these claims because they are based on symptoms that aren’t always clear. We have developed ways to present these cases by using detailed medical records, functional assessments and expert opinions to support what you say. Even if an x-ray or blood test doesn’t show it, your disability is real.
Sometimes insurance companies hire private investigators to watch people who are making claims. This could mean watching you, recording what you do or looking at your social media accounts. The goal is to find evidence that contradicts what you say are your limitations. Although this is legal, it often feels like an invasion of privacy. We help you understand that having a limited range of activities doesn’t mean you don’t have a disability. You can’t work full-time just because you go to the grocery store or a family event. We make sure any video footage is shown in context and not misrepresentated.
When you can’t work and your claim isn’t settled your financial stress gets worse. You might think legal fees are just one more thing you can’t handle. We work on long-term disability cases on a contingency fee basis which means you don’t pay any legal fees unless we win benefits for you. This way everyone can get good legal help no matter how much money they have right now. We have the same interests as you do because we can only do well when you do.
We still think keeping in touch with you during your case is very important. Legal processes can be confusing and you have the right to know what’s going on every step of the way. We use plain language to explain what’s happening and are always available to answer your questions. You should never be unsure about how your case is going or what to do next. Regular updates and clear explanations can help ease anxiety during a already stressful time.
Your treating doctors are important to your claim but they may need help figuring out what to put in their reports. Doctors are more interested in diagnosing and treating than in writing down disabilities. We work with your doctors to make sure medical reports answer the exact questions insurance companies ask. This could mean asking for extra assessments, setting up evaluations with specialists or getting detailed opinions about your ability to work and any limitations you may have.
In some cases you need to hear from vocational experts who can explain how your limitations affect your ability to work. These professionals look at your education, work history, transferable skills and current limitations to figure out what jobs you can do. When insurance companies say you can work in some way, vocational evidence can help show why that’s not true in your case. We find trustworthy experts who give you thorough unbiased evaluations that support your claim.
Before you accept a settlement offer you should carefully consider it. A lump sum payment may sound good but it could be a lot less than the total amount of monthly benefits you are entitled to receive. We look at any settlement offer in light of your age, the terms of your policy and your long-term needs. Our advice helps you decide if settling is the best thing for you to do or if it makes more sense to keep going after your full entitlement.