If your disability benefits claim has been denied by your employer or private insurer, you might wonder if you truly need a disability insurance denial lawyer to help with your next steps. The truth is, navigating long term disability claims can be complex and emotionally draining.

While it is possible to appeal independently, the decision to involve a long term disability lawyer can dramatically affect your chances of success and your financial outcome.

Understanding Disability Insurance Denials

When you’ve paid your premiums expecting peace of mind during illness or injury, a denial of disability insurance feels like another blow. Insurance companies routinely deny valid disability benefit claims—sometimes up to 60% of legitimate claims—often citing lack of sufficient medical evidence, disagreement with medical opinions, or technicalities in your policy language. Unfortunately, these insurance company business decisions are frequently designed to protect profits, not your wellbeing.

Can You Appeal Without a Lawyer?

Yes, it is possible to challenge a disability insurance denial on your own. The insurance company might even encourage you to go through their internal appeal process. However, the odds are usually stacked against you. Appeals are typically reviewed by the same team who denied your claim, and their mindset is unlikely to have changed. Without fresh, compelling medical evidence, most appeals go nowhere.

What You Can Do On Your Own

If you do decide to handle the process without along term disability lawyer, here are a few essential steps:

• Read your denial letter carefully and take note of all reasons given for the denial.
  

• Collect new, objective medical documentation that addresses the specific gaps identified.
  

• Stay on top of deadlines for submitting documents or forms.
  

• Communicate respectfully but firmly with your claim’s adjudicator.
  

• Track all communications, submissions, and resulting decisions.
  

Tip: Some Canadians succeed in reversing denial decisions through careful documentation and persistent follow-up, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

Risks of Handling It Yourself

Appealing your own disability denial might feel like a way to “save money,” but there are serious risks to consider:

• Time Lost: Internal appeals often take months, delaying the money you need. Meanwhile, you have no access to paid benefits.
  

• Limited Perspective: Insurance companies count on your lack of legal expertise. They may use complex terms or policy loopholes to justify their denial.
  

• Permanent Evidence Trail: Every statement and document you submit during an appeal becomes part of your claim file. A mistake here could damage your eligibility for future benefits or legal claims.
  

• Low Success Rate: Because insurers rarely change their original decision, appeals have a poor track record for approval absent powerful new evidence or legal arguments.

A Story: Amal's Experience in Alberta

Meet Amal, a teacher in Alberta. After a serious injury, she applied for LTD benefits through her employer’s disability insurance plan. She was devastated to receive a denial letter, citing “insufficient objective evidence.” Amal considered appealing the decision herself because she thought avoiding legal fees would mean keeping more of any eventual settlement.

But Amal’s plan missed a hidden cost: by handling the legal process herself, she risked submitting incomplete evidence once again. By the time she contacted a disability insurance denial lawyer, she had lost months—and the evidence she submitted might actually help the insurer defend their denial in court.

The Role of a Disability Insurance Denial Lawyer

A qualified disability insurance denial lawyer can:

• Review your policy in detail and identify the best strategy, whether that’s initiating litigation or a direct negotiation.

• Explain your specific legal options

• Handle communications and negotiations with the insurance company, reducing your stress and risk of misstatements.

• Gather and present the new evidence insurers require to reconsider a denial.

• Protect your rights and preserve your eligibility for further disability benefit claims if your internal appeal fails.

• Only charges fees if you recover benefits (at many firms, including Share Lawyers)

When You Should Hire a Disability Lawyer

You should consider hiring a long term disability lawyer as soon as your claim is denied, especially if:

• Your denial letter is unclear or you don’t fully understand the reasons
  

• You feel overwhelmed by the paperwork and deadlines
  

• Your health is deteriorating due to stress or lack of income
  

• You’ve already attempted an appeal without success
  

• The insurance company is accusing you of failing to comply with their process, or is minimizing your medical issues
  

In most cases, legal professionals recommend pursuing litigation or direct settlement negotiations instead of internal appeals.

What It Costs to Hire a Disability Lawyer

One of the most common worries is about the cost of hiring a long term disability lawyer. At most reputable Canadian firms:

• The initial consultation is free.
  

• You pay nothing upfront—no retainer or out-of-pocket legal fees.
  

• Legal fees are contingency-based, meaning you only pay if your lawyer recovers money for you.
  

• The typical fee is a percentage of the benefits your lawyer secures, clearly outlined before you sign anything.

Many firms, including Share Lawyers, also advance the costs of medical reports and other “disbursements,” to be reimbursed only if you succeed.

Choosing the Right Lawyer for Your Case

How do you select the best disability insurance denial lawyer for your situation?

Look for:

• Proven experience handling denied employer-based or private long term disability claims
  

• Transparent approach about legal fees and recovery rates
  

• Compassionate, plain-language communication
  

• National reach so you can receive help no matter where you live in Canada
  

How Our Disability Insurance Denial Lawyers Can Help With Your Claim

By working with a specialized disability insurance denial lawyer at Share Lawyers, you’ll get:

• A free, no-risk evaluation of your disability benefit claim
  

• Full transparency on your legal process and potential outcomes
  

• No fees unless you win or settle your claim
  

• Access to a support team that prioritizes your wellbeing, not just your paperwork
  

• Guidance on every step, including doctor’s letters, forms, and follow-ups with your employer or insurer
  

• Confidence knowing your insurer is dealing with a respected law firm that doesn’t back down
  

Our team has helped over 9,000 Canadians secure the benefits they were unfairly denied. We understand the stakes for you and your family—and we’re in your corner from day one.

Checklist: What to Do After a Disability Claim Denial

Summary

When your long term disability claim is denied, it may be tempting to fight alone. But employer and private disability insurance is filled with legal and procedural pitfalls, and mistakes made early can cost you your benefits—and peace of mind. Consulting a disability insurance denial lawyer increases your chances of success, costs you nothing unless you win, and lifts a heavy burden off your shoulders. Don’t take a chance with your future. Let the trusted team at Share Lawyers guide you through the process and fight for every dollar you deserve.