Ask A Lawyer - No Diagnosis
When dealing with a disability or chronic condition, it can be a stressful time. Especially when you are experiencing debilitating symptoms which are making it impossible for you to work, and you are waiting for a diagnosis from your medical professionals.
Share Lawyers is here to help you with some questions you might have while either waiting for your claim to be processed or what to do when you claim is denied.
What should I do when my insurance company denies my claim and I still have no diagnosis?
If you believe that your insurance company has wrongfully denied your claim for long term disability benefits or even if you are simply unsure of the reason why your benefits were not approved, you should immediately seek legal advice to ensure that you are fully aware of your rights and able to challenge the insurance company’s decision as soon as possible.
I got fired while on my long term disability leave, and I am still searching for answers about my condition. What can I do?
Long term disability policies have eligibility requirements. Sometimes they have an actively at work provision in the policy which means you need to be actively at work when you become disabled. There are policies that allow for an application for disability while on a leave of absence such as maternity leave. You will need to get a copy of your policy or benefit booklet and consult a lawyer.
How long is the waiting period to get your disability claim approved?
Most disability insurance policies have an elimination period, also known as a "waiting," or "qualifying" period that is defined as the time between the date of the onset of disability and the date you are eligible to receive disability benefits. For short-term claims, this period can range anywhere from zero days to 10 days or more. For long-term claims, this period may be 90 days, but can be longer or shorter depending on the policy.
If short-term benefits are provided by the same insurer, the long-term elimination period will often be the same length of time that your short-term, employment insurance or employee sick benefits run. This period also varies from policy to policy. Making a claim for long-term benefits before your short-term period ends will ensure that there is no lag in-between, unless you are denied benefits.
File A Claim For Disability Benefits As Soon As You Are Disabled
You should file a claim for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled and if your doctor estimates the recovery time may be longer than the length of your waiting period. If you are unsure how long your recovery will take, apply anyway.
You do not have to wait for the elimination period to be over before you file your claim. In fact, it is advised that you submit your claim before the end of your elimination period.
Benefits are not guaranteed to be paid out after the elimination period. Your insurer may deny your benefits for any number of reasons.
Has your long-term disability claim been denied? Contact Share Lawyers and put our experience to work for you. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case. Find out if you have a disability case.
We have recently settled cases against Standard Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and much more. We love hearing feedback from our clients, so please share your own experience with us.
Denied your long term disability claim?
Contact Share Lawyers today and put our experience to work for you. Our 35+ years of experience can help you win your case against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and other insurance companies. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless you win your case. Join us on Facebook and become a Top Fan for a chance to win each month.
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A note from our long term disability lawyers
Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.
If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.
Our Disability law firm knows what you have been going through
We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.
Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf
Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.
If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.
Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.
In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.
