Has Canada Life Denied your Disability Benefits?

Has Canada Life Denied or Stopped Paying your Disability Benefits?

Don’t Panic. You still have Legal Rights. Call us nationwide at 1-844-525-2633 or in Ontario at 905-333-8888. Alternatively, send us a confidential message, and we will get back to you.

Canada Life Stopped my Disability Benefits

As one of Canada’s largest group benefits providers, Canada Life provides disability insurance coverage to many Canadians individually and through their employers. However, despite paying premiums and counting on this coverage if you become disabled, Canada Life may still unfairly deny or terminate your legitimate disability claim when you need those benefits the most. Dealing with a chronic medical condition is already difficult enough without the added stress of having your long-term disability claim denied by Canada Life – which can be devastating.

At Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how overwhelming this situation can be and are here to help. Our experienced Hamilton long-term disability lawyers know the tactics used by insurers like Canada Life to deny claims. We provide caring, compassionate advocacy to help appeal your denial and fight to get you the long-term disability benefits you are rightfully owed under your policy. You don’t have to face a large insurance company like Canada Life alone. Matt Lalande is a well-known disability litigator who has litigated countless cases with Canada Life over terminated benefits.

If Canada Life has terminated your disability benefits, call us Nationwide at 1-844-LALANDE or local throughout Ontario at 905-333-8888 for more information about how we can assist you in your time of need. Alternatively, you can contact us confidentially by sending an email through our website.

Why did Canada Life Terminate my Long-Term Disability?

You are probably learning that your disability insurance coverage can let you down when you need it the most. If you’ve recently received notice that your long-term disability (LTD) benefits have been denied or terminated by Canada Life, you may be feeling overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of what to do next. It’s important to understand that you’re not alone in this situation and that there are steps you can take to fight for the benefits you deserve.

As experienced disability lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact that a sudden stop payment or denial of benefits can have on individuals and their families. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a disability can take, and we’re here to help you navigate this challenging time with compassion and expertise.

To help you better understand your situation, our disability lawyers have compiled a list of the five most common reasons why Canada Life may terminate long-term disability claims:

1. Insufficient Medical Evidence
   One of the primary reasons for LTD benefit termination is a lack of sufficient medical evidence to support your ongoing disability. Canada Life may argue that the medical documentation provided does not adequately demonstrate that your condition prevents you from performing the duties of your occupation. It’s crucial to maintain regular medical appointments and ensure that your healthcare providers are accurately documenting your symptoms, limitations, and treatment plans.
2. Failure to Meet the Definition of Disability
   LTD policies typically have specific definitions of disability that you must meet to qualify for benefits. After the initial qualifying period, which is usually two years, the definition of disability often changes from being unable to perform the duties of your own occupation to being unable to perform the duties of any occupation for which you are reasonably suited by education, training, or experience. Canada Life may terminate your benefits if they believe you no longer meet the applicable definition of disability.
3. Missed Deadlines or Insufficient Documentation
   Strict deadlines and documentation requirements are a common feature of LTD policies. If you fail to submit required forms, medical updates, or other documentation within the specified timeframes, Canada Life may use this as grounds for terminating your benefits. It’s essential to stay organized and promptly respond to any requests for information from your insurer.
4. Surveillance and Social Media Monitoring
   In some cases, Canada Life may conduct surveillance or monitor your social media activity to gather evidence that contradicts your disability claim. If they obtain video footage or social media posts that appear to show you engaging in activities inconsistent with your stated limitations, they may use this information to justify terminating your benefits. It’s important to be cautious about your online presence and to understand that your activities may be scrutinized.
5. Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs)
   Canada Life has the right to request that you attend an Independent Medical Examination (IME) with a doctor of their choosing. If the IME report suggests that you are capable of returning to work or if it contradicts the medical evidence provided by your own healthcare providers, your insurer may rely on this information to terminate your benefits. It’s crucial to attend any scheduled IMEs and to ensure that you accurately convey your symptoms and limitations to the examining physician.

If you’ve had your long-term disability benefits terminated by Canada Life, it’s important to act quickly to protect your rights. Our experienced disability lawyers can help you understand your policy, gather the necessary medical evidence, and fight for the benefits you deserve.

We understand that the prospect of challenging a large insurance company can be daunting, but you don’t have to face this battle alone. Our team is here to guide you through the process with compassion, expertise, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for your case.

Don’t let a termination of your long-term disability benefits leave you feeling helpless and unsure of your future. Contact our office today for a free consultation, and let us help you fight for the support you need …and deserve.

What Happens After Two Years? Can Canada Life stop Paying my Benefits?

Although our Hamilton Disability Lawyers understand that you are in a difficult situation, your situation is unfortunately not uncommon. Like many disability insurance companies, Canada Life tends to re-evaluate disability claims as they approach the two-year mark. They do this because the definition of a “total disability” changes. Your adjuster might have mentioned the words “change of definition” to you. The change of definition means that the definition of total disability in your disability insurance policy changes after being on disability for two years or 104 weeks.

Normally, most disability policies provide that for the first two years that you receive monthly disability benefits, you must only prove that you are unable to perform the substantial duties of your own occupation. This definition of total disability is commonly referred to as the “own occupation” definition.

What does Own Occupation or “Own Occ” Mean?

In Ontario, the “own occupation” provision is a crucial aspect of long-term disability (LTD) insurance policies. This provision typically applies during the initial period of disability, which is usually the first two years of the benefit period.

Under the “own occupation” definition, you are considered disabled if you are unable to perform the essential duties of your own specific job due to an illness or injury. This means that even if you are capable of working in another occupation, you can still qualify for LTD benefits if you cannot carry out the core functions of the job you held when you became disabled.

What does any Occupation or “Any Occ” Mean?

In Ontario, long-term disability (LTD) insurance policies, particularly Canada Life Disability Insurance Policies, often include an “any occupation” or “any occ” definition of disability that typically takes effect after the initial “own occupation” period, which usually lasts for the first two years of the benefit period.

Under the “any occupation” definition, you are considered disabled if you are unable to perform the essential duties of any occupation for which you are reasonably suited by education, training, or experience. This is a more stringent definition than the “own occupation” provision, as it requires you to be unable to work in any suitable job, not just your own specific job.

Disability insurance companies like Canada Life have become very concerned as claimants approach the change of definition. Many disability carriers start unilaterally instituting return-to-work (RTW) plans for people who are not ready, which are often ineffective and contrary to the advice of the claimant’s own medical providers.

If you’ve been cut off disability benefits at the two-year mark, it is very important to contact a disability lawyer sooner rather than later. Often, disability insurance companies will convince claimants to go through the “internal appeal process,” which hardly ever works out in the claimant’s favour. The process simply involves another employee from Canada Life reviewing your denied claim. It simply delays benefits that a person is entitled to.

Remember, Canada Life Disability is NOT on your side.

When you are in an unexpected situation, you might think that this is the time that the insurance companies will get to work for you, putting the premiums you or your employer paid into play.

This is not always the case, as insurance companies like Canada Life do not work for you; they work to produce a profit. When profit is the goal of an organization, it seeks to cut down on costs while increasing revenue. They try to save costs by denying as many claims as possible and paying as little as possible on those claims that they approve.

For insurance companies, this means processing claims as quickly as possible to minimize the resources invested in the claim, which can often lead to errors in the process. By moving through claims faster and denying as many as possible, insurance companies can maximize their profits for their shareholders, and this is at the expense of policyholders and benefit beneficiaries.

Claimants who are wrongly denied or feel they are being treated unfairly often have to fight lengthy appeals and lawsuits against their disability insurer. Disability insurance is an important safety net, but the claims process can sometimes be extremely challenging for those who are legitimately disabled.

How do I hire a Long-Term Disability Lawyer Near me?

Hiring our long-term disability lawyer after Canada Life has denied your disability benefits can be crucial for various reasons. Firstly, our experienced disability lawyers understand the complex legalities involved in the claims process. We have extensive knowledge about the intricate disability laws and insurance policies and how to navigate the bureaucratic hurdles often associated with insurance companies like Canada Life. We can help you correctly interpret policy provisions and legal terminology, which can otherwise be quite overwhelming.

Secondly, our experienced disability lawyers can help compile a comprehensive and compelling case to challenge the denial and prove that you suffer a total disability pursuant to your policy definition. Remember – YOU have the burden of proving you are disabled. We can guide you in gathering the necessary medical evidence and arrange expert reports from some of the Country’s best specialists. Our lawyers will ensure that all your paperwork is timely, accurate, and effectively highlights the critical points of your case.

In addition, we are experienced in litigation negotiation, and we can effectively represent you during discussions with Canada Life. Calculating your disability benefits while applying certain laws, offsets, and actuarial discounts can be challenging for someone who is not experienced in the valuation of disability benefits.

Lastly, our experienced trial lawyers can take your case to court against Canada Life and advocate on your behalf, present your case with the utmost care and professionalism and fight to obtain the benefits you’re entitled to. There’s absolutely no doubt that having a lawyer on your side can relieve stress, provide guidance, and significantly enhance your chances of securing a favourable outcome.

Are Disability Lawyer Consultations Free?

When seeking legal guidance after a long-term disability claim has been denied by Canada Life, a common concern is the potential cost of consulting with a disability lawyer. Fortunately, the answer to “Are consultations with disability lawyers free?” is a reassuring yes. Our Hamilton-based long-term disability lawyers recognize the financial difficulties that often accompany a benefits denial and are committed to ensuring their services are accessible to those in need.

By providing free consultations, our disability lawyers offer claimants the chance to discuss their specific circumstances without worrying about upfront costs. During these sessions, seasoned attorneys will carefully review your case details, examine relevant documents, and offer valuable advice on your legal options moving forward. They will evaluate the strengths and potential challenges of your claim, clarify the appeals process, and help you understand your rights under your insurance policy.

It’s also worth noting that not only are these initial consultations complimentary, but we also operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you choose to hire our firm, you won’t pay any legal fees unless and until we successfully recover your denied benefits. This approach allows you to pursue your claim without the added stress of ongoing legal costs.

If your long-term disability benefits have been denied by Manulife or another insurer, take the first step towards protecting your rights and securing the benefits you deserve. Contact our disability law firm today to arrange your free consultation. Our experienced attorneys are ready to provide the guidance and support you need to navigate the complex appeals process and fight for the compensation you’re entitled to under your policy. Don’t let concerns about legal fees stop you from seeking justice—act now and let a skilled disability lawyer advocate on your behalf.

How much does a Disability Lawyer Cost?

Many disability claimants feel apprehensive about hiring a lawyer after Canada Life cuts off their benefits. They have valid concerns about legal fees and whether hiring a lawyer is even affordable, especially when they are no longer receiving their disability payments.

Our long-term disability lawyers understand these worries. That’s why we want to assure you – you do NOT need to pay anything upfront to have us start working on your disability claim denial. We believe everyone should have access to quality legal representation, regardless of their current financial situation.

Our disability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• There are no upfront legal fees or retainers required
• We only get paid if we win your case and recover money for you
• Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or award we obtain on your behalf
• If we don’t win, you don’t owe us anything

We are happy to have a free consultation with you to discuss your situation with Canada Life, assess the merits of your case, and advise you of your options. This consultation comes with no obligation to hire us.

If we do take on your case, we will put in the time and effort to build the strongest legal suit possible against the insurance company’s denial of your benefits. We have extensive experience dealing with disability insurers and know what it takes to get our clients the payments they deserve.

So, while the thought of legal fees can be stressful when you’ve lost your disability income, rest assured that with our firm, you will not have to pay anything out of pocket. We only get paid if your case is successful. Don’t let worries about cost prevent you from getting the legal advocacy you need. Call or email us today for your free consultation.

If Canada Life has denied or Stopped Paying Your Log-Term Disability Benefits, we can help.

If Canada Life has denied your long-term disability benefits, you must contact our Disability Law firm sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the longer your benefits go unpaid. We have the experience you need to properly appeal the denial of your long-term disability benefits, access to the best experts to help prove your case and the trial experience to take your case to Court. We will endeavour to recover every penny owed to you by Canada Life.

Contact our Disability Lawyers in Ontario by calling (905) 333-8888 or nationwide at 1-844-LALANDE for more information about how we can assist you in your time of need. Alternatively, you can contact us confidentially by sending an email through our website. You might not know who to turn to when you receive your Canada Life disability denial, but we are ready to fight for you.

FAQ about Canada Life Disability Denials