What Factors Are Considered When Processing a Disability Claim?

There are many factors to consider when applying for long term disability benefits. Because disability benefits are such a valuable resource to many disabled workers, designed to address the economic ramifications of a claimants inability to work due to a serious illness or injury, it is important for long- term disability case managers to be thorough and consider all the facts in their decision to allow or deny a claim.

Below is a list of important factors that may be considered. For more information on factors impacting your claim, check out read our Applying for Disability page or watch a Your Disability Lawyers episode on What to Expect From the Disability Benefits Process.

Factors that may impact your disability claim

- Do you qualify as disabled?

Perhaps the most important question to ask when applying for disability insurance is whether or not you even qualify for benefits! Most long term disability insurance policies provide coverage for any illness or injury that prevents you from performing the essential duties of your occupation and meets the definition of "total disability" in your policy. Common exclusions found in most standard policies include: any disability resulting from self-inflicted injury or illness, any disability resulting from war or civil riot; any disability period during which you are imprisoned; any disability period for which you are on formal maternity or parental leave, and any disability for which you are not receiving appropriate medical treatment.

- Have you presented evidence to support your disability claim?

Your case manager will rely heavily on the evidence that you provide to support your claim. You can support your claim by providing any of the following documents related to your case: an official diagnosis, treatment records, medical test results, physician statements, employer statements, and your own personal statement about your ability to engage in daily activities.

- Have you met the time requirements?

In most cases, time is on the essence. Typically you would have to be working for your employer for a period of time (often 3 months) before qualifying to be included in your company's Group Benefit Plan, and generally there are time limits to all claims and any delay in proceeding with your disability claim may be subject to a deadline. You should refer to these provisions and/or contact a lawyer if you have not already done so.

The good news is that having an experienced member of the Share Lawyers team by your side during your long term disability case can send a strong message to your insurance company that you need to be treated fairly! Share Lawyers can improve your chances of winning your case by actively working to prove your entitlement to benefits and by motivating your insurance company to properly evaluate your claim and give you fair consideration.

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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.

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.