If you can’t work due to a serious medical condition, long term disability benefits should give you the money you need to stay stable while you focus on your health and recovery. Unfortunately many people in Waterloo find out that insurance companies make it much harder to get these benefits than they thought it would be. At Longo Lawyers we often help people whose disability claims have been denied or whose benefits have been cut off leaving them in a terrible financial position during a tough time.
If you can’t work due to sickness or injury, long term disability insurance is supposed to pay you some of your income. Most people get this insurance through their jobs but some people buy their own. The insurance pays 60 to 70% of your income before you become disabled and it can last for months, years or until you retire depending on your policy and disability.
This should give you peace of mind but the truth is many valid claims are denied or ended. There are many reasons why insurance companies deny disability claims some of which are good and some of which are not. They can say your medical records don’t show you’re disabled. They might say they know about your health problems and that you can work even if it’s not your own job. They often require you to undergo medical evaluations from doctors they choose and these doctors often give opinions that go against what your doctors advise and help the insurance company’s case. Some insurance companies will approve a claim at first but then deny it later sometimes using surveillance footage or saying your health has improved even when your own medical team disagrees. The main problem is that insurance companies are businesses that care about making money and paying claims. They have to pay genuine claims because of contracts and the law. They have to pay valid claims because of contracts and the law but there is a natural conflict of interest between their duty to policyholders and their own financial interests. This is unfair to disabled people who don’t have a lawyer because they usually have trouble getting fair treatment.
We help people at Longo Lawyers understand their rights under their disability insurance and build strong claims to fight unfair denials. Read your policy carefully in every situation. It’s crucial to use the right words because different policies have different meanings for terms like “impairment”, “exclusions”, “limitations” and others that affect your benefits. You need to know exactly what your policy says and what you need to prove to make a solid case. Sports Injury Accidents cases address injuries resulting from unsafe environments, inadequate supervision, or negligence.
Medical proof is required for every disability claim. Your doctors should keep full records of your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment history, functional limits and prognosis. Insurance companies look closely at medical records and often deny claims because they think the paperwork isn’t good enough. We help our clients make sure their doctors create detailed reports that clearly explain why you can’t work and how your condition fits the policy definition of disability. Ski/Snowboard Accidents claims assist injured individuals in pursuing compensation after preventable slope-related injuries.
Policies that change what they mean by “disability” over time are a common problem. Many policies use an “own occupation” test for the first two years. This means if you can’t do your job, you’re disabled. After two years they change the requirements to “any occupation” which means you have to prove you can’t do any profession that is reasonably acceptable for your education, training and experience. During this time of transition many people lose their benefits even if their health hasn’t gotten better.
Time is of the essence in disability litigation. If your claim is denied in Waterloo or anywhere else in Ontario you have to act fast to appeal or take legal action. You can lose your benefits or have a much tougher time getting them if you miss certain dates. If you are rejected a disability claim, you should contact a lawyer immediately. We have the knowledge and experience to help you with your disability insurance claim. You may have to go to the insurance company, make an internal appeal or even litigate if you want to contest a denial of disability. It depends on your situation what’s the best way to do it. Some can be worked out by negotiation but others need to go to court and maybe even trial. We will fight for your rights and get you the money you’re owed under your policy no matter what your case requires.
If your long term disability claim has been denied or stopped in Waterloo you don’t have to deal with the insurance company alone. There are legal ways to dispute unfair decisions and make the insurance company pay. We can help you through this and fight for the benefits you need and deserve.