What is a Long-Term Disability Lawyer?

Experiencing a medical condition that prevents a person from being able to work happens to almost everyone at some point. However, if you suffer from a mental or physical condition so severe and prolonged that you are no longer able to complete the main functions of your work for months or years at a time, your ability to support yourself financially comes under serious risk. 

For Canadians with coverage provided by their employers or through a private policy, long-term disability insurance can provide you with income replacement benefits. However, insurance companies are known for denying or delaying long-term disability claims, leaving many disabled individuals without financial stability when they need it most. This is often when a disabled person seeks out a long-term disability (LTD) lawyer.

So just what is an LTD lawyer, and how do they help? An LTD lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in helping disabled individuals navigate the complex process of filing a long-term disability claim and receiving the benefits they are entitled to.

In this article, you’ll learn about the role of a long-term disability lawyer, why they are commonly needed by disabled workers and why they are effective at keeping insurance companies honest.

What Does a Long-Term Disability Lawyer Do?

An LTD lawyer is a specialist in laws that govern the delivery of long-term disability benefits and impact disabled workers. This covers several types of law, including contract, insurance and employment laws. In fact, many LTD lawyers also practice employment law and can help you with work-related issues, such as what to do if an employer sexually harasses you or when you can sue an employer for firing you. (Please note that these two articles pertain to American employment law. For information regarding Canadian employment law, click the first link, “what is an LTD lawyer.”)

Because of their expertise in the law, these are just a few of the services an LTD lawyer can provide.

 

Helping You File A Claim for Long-Term Disability Benefits

Filing for long-term disability benefits can be a daunting process for anyone unfamiliar with it. Not only does a long-term disability lawyer help you complete the application accurately, gather the necessary documentation and ensure that your claim is submitted on time, but because of their years of experience dealing with insurance companies, an LTD lawyer knows the reasons they give for denials and the documentation they commonly request after a claim is submitted. Partnering with an LTD lawyer to file your claim is your best bet for getting it approved.

 

Communicate With the Insurance Company on their Client’s Behalf

After an LTD claim is submitted, insurance companies are in regular communication with the claimant to ask follow-up questions about their claim, seek updates on their disability and ask the claimant to attend assessments. 

A long-term disability lawyer can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf and provide them with the information and documentation they request. This removes the need for the client to respond to the insurance company, allowing them to focus on their treatment in peace. All the client has to do is show up for assessments that their LTD lawyer will remind them of.

 

Fighting Denied LTD Claims 

This is the meat and potatoes of what an LTD lawyer does. When an insurance company denies a claim for LTD benefits when it shouldn’t, as they routinely do, usually, the best course of action is to use the law to get them to honour their commitments by filing a lawsuit.

Unfortunately, having an LTD lawyer threaten to hold them accountable for their actions in court is often the only way to get an insurance company to pay LTD benefits.

 

Representing You in Court 

If your long-term disability claim ends up in court, you’ll need an LTD lawyer to represent you and fight to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

 

Do Your Due Diligence

If you’re looking for an LTD lawyer in Ontario, do your research, read online reviews, ask for referrals and look up their years of experience when visiting their websites. Most importantly, however, meet with a few before making a decision. You need to feel comfortable with their abilities and have excellent communication with your LTD lawyer, as the working relationship can last several months or years.