By Matt Lalande in Long-Term Disability on November 05, 2021
Are you asking yourself any one of these questions?
These are words which we hear on a near daily basis from worried and devastated policy holders. Being cut-off from long-term disability benefits from Canada Life can result in a profound emotional, financial, and physical struggle for those impacted. Our disability lawyers know and understand that when Canada Life suddenly halts or terminated your benefits, it can lead to a serious financial crisis, as these funds often represent the primary or sole source of income for individuals unable to work due to their disability. The anxiety and stress associated with the loss of financial security can further exacerbate existing health conditions, creating a cycle of deterioration.
Additionally, navigating the process of appealing the termination of benefits can be arduous and complex, causing emotional distress. Often, individuals feel isolated and misunderstood, struggling to convey the gravity of their conditions to the institutions responsible for determining their benefits. This struggle is not just about the financial impact, but also the emotional toll of feeling unsupported at a time when they are most vulnerable. The termination of long-term disability benefits thus presents a multifaceted challenge, imposing a significant burden on the affected individuals’ wellbeing.
If Canada Life has denied your long-term disability benefits, call us today. Matt Lalande is a well known disability litigator who has not only represented claimants through thousands of disability lawsuits, but has litigated over 100 cases with Canada Life over terminated benefits.
If Canada Life has cut-off your disability benefits, call us today local in Southern Ontario at (905) 333-8888 or anywhere in Ontario 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.
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 approached 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 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. After two years, the definition changes to that of “any occupation”. This means that you must prove that you are unable to perform the duties of any occupation for which you are reasonably suited by way of education and training or experience.
If a claimant satisfies the definition of total disability in relation to “any occupation” then that claimant is entitled to collect disability benefits to the age of 65, or when the policy ends.
Disability insurance companies like Canada Life become concerned as a claimant approaches the change of definition. Many disability carriers start unilaterally instituting return to work (RTW) plans for people that are not ready – which are often ineffective and often contrary to the advice of the claimant’s own medical providers. Oftentimes, disability insurance companies will do whatever they can to terminate a person’s benefits if they think that a claimant can get back to work.
This is important to remember that 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. Oftentimes, disability insurance companies will convince claimants to go through the “internal appeal process” which hardly ever works out in the claimant’s favor. The process simply involves another employee from Canada Life reviewing your denied claim. The process simply delays benefits that a person is entitled to.
When you are in an unexpected situation, and it comes time to collect on any type of insurance benefits, 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 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.
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. Insurers also try to save costs by denying as many claims as possible and paying as little as possible on those claims that they approve.
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.
Knowing that the insurance company does not work for you is important and can help to inform the way you proceed through the claim process. The goal of the insurance company is not to approve all claims but to identify only those claims that qualify for coverage and to deny the rest.
Specifics and details of particular claims can be lacking, leading to initial denials that require time-consuming appeals. Instead of requesting more information, some companies will simply issue a denial right out of the gate. Having an experienced Hamilton disability claims lawyer on your side with experience processing disability claims will support the outcome of your application and help to line up your coverage as soon as possible.
Your disability insurance coverage can let you down when you need it the most. This coverage states it will provide benefits when you suffer an illness or injury that has disabling effects. Disabilities such as multiple sclerosis or even mental illnesses can prevent you from working and disrupt your source of income, and long-term disability benefits should provide financial support in this time of need.
However, insurance companies can deny valid long-term disability claims for various reasons. If your long-term disability claim results in a denial, this does not mean that you do not deserve long-term disability benefits. Instead, it means that you need the help of a Canada Life insurance claims denial lawyer who can assess your options for an appeal.
The insurance companies require extensive evidence of disability to grant benefits, and you will need to jump through these hoops even if you pay your premiums and comply with all insurance requirements. While your condition might qualify for benefits, you might not have all the information necessary right away to support your claim. Further, insurance companies can cause delays by requesting unnecessary documentation, which can frustrate claimants and even cause them to give up.
It can be even more difficult to keep up with claim requirements because you are also dealing with your disability. In the face of chronic pain, medical treatment, anxiety, and other limitations, the last thing you need on your plate is constant communication and negotiations with the insurance company.
This is why you should never hesitate to contact a Long-Term Disability lawyer who can help with every step of the process. If your claim already resulted in a denial, we can help you get back on track and appeal the decision. Do not wait to seek out the help you need to get the benefits you deserve.
Hiring a long-term disability lawyer after Canada Life has denied your disability benefits can be crucial for a variety of reasons. Firstly, an experience disability lawyer understands the complex legalities involved in the claims process. They have extensive knowledge about the intricate disability laws, insurance policies, and how to navigate through the bureaucratic hurdles often associated with insurance companies. They can help you correctly interpret policy provisions and legal terminology, which can otherwise be quite overwhelming.
Secondly, an experienced disability lawyer can help compile a comprehensive and compelling case to challenge the denial. They can guide you in gathering the necessary medical evidence, arranging reports from your treating physicians, and if necessary, obtaining expert opinions. The lawyer will also ensure that all your paperwork is timely, accurate, and effectively highlights the critical points of your case.
Moreover, a Hamitlon disability lawyer is experienced in negotiation and can represent you effectively during discussions with Canada Life. Calculating your disability benefits, while applying certain laws, offsets and discounts can be challenging for someone that is not experienced with the valuation of disability benefits.
lastly – and experienced trial lawyer can take yoru case to court and advocate on your behalf, presenting your case with the utmost care and professionalism, and fight to obtain the benefits you’re entitled to. Having a lawyer on your side can relieve stress, provide guidance, and significantly enhance your chances of securing a favorable outcome.
If Canada Life has denied your long-term disability benefits, it’s important that you 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 denied of your long-term disability benefits, access to the best experts and trial experience to follow. We will endeavor to recover every penny owed to you by Canada Life.
Contact Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers local in the Burlington/ Hamilton / Niagara Areas at (905) 333-8888 or anywhere in Ontario by calling 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.
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I call Matt my knight in shining armour. After I was struck by a car while cycling and permanently crippled, he fielded all communications with my especially difficult and downright nasty insurance adjuster. Every step of my care was a battle and I did not have the strength to fight alone.
I call Matt my knight in shining armour. After I was struck by a car while cycling and permanently crippled, he fielded all communications with my especially difficult and downright nasty insurance adjuster. Every step of my care was a battle and I did not have the strength to fight alone.
