Should I retain a long-term disability lawyer?
If you’ve been injured or become ill and can’t work, and your long-term disability (LTD) insurance company denies you benefits, it’s in your best interests to get a lawyer. Unlike a disability claim with the Canadian government (CPP disability), long-term disability insurance companies are not impartial. Long-term disability insurers have a vested interest in the outcome of LTD claims, because the more disability claims they approve and pay out, the less financially healthy their bottom line is. And the fewer long-term disability cases they approve, the greater their profit...
read moreDo I have an ICBC claim?
Many people wonder: “Do I have an ICBC claim?” In many cases, these people actually do have an ICBC claim. What is surprising is how often ICBC tells people that they do not have a claim when they actually do (or at least that is what the potential claimant hears). Unfortunately, too many people take ICBC at their word or do not understand what is being communicated. Sometimes, it’s not that ICBC has actually said that you do not have a claim it’s that they have told you they will not pay you anything for your claim, or do not believe you have a claim based on the information in their...
read moreWhat is disability insurance?
Disability insurance is a form of health insurance. It is income paid to you by your insurance company when you can’t work due to sickness or accidental injury. Disability insurance income replaces either a portion of your regular income or is a set dollar amount. Benefit periods and amounts may depend on whether the disability was caused by an accident or illness and whether the disability is “short term” or “long term.” Disability insurance should provide peace of mind in the event that you are disabled and require replacement income. Unfortunately, this does not...
read moreWhat is critical illness insurance?
Critical illness insurance is an insurance product where the insurer is contracted to pay money (lump sum or structured) if the policyholder is diagnosed with one of the critical illnesses listed in the insurance policy. These are ‘peace of mind’ contracts. The contract or policy will set out several definitions and terms. Contractual definitions and terms are almost always open to interpretation. Most of these denials involve disputes over definitions of when a diagnosis of a critical illness is considered valid, allegations of misrepresentation, non-payment of premiums, and exclusion...
read moreMental illness and LTD benefits.
According to Health Canada, mental illness is the second leading cause of disability in Canada. In a 2008 article, the Institute of Health Economics reported that on any given week at least 500,000 employed Canadians are unable to work due to mental illness. Disability insurance claims involving mental illness make up nearly 40% of my practice. There are a number of unique challenges of applying for disability benefits involving mental illness. 1. The insurance industry sees your claim as a “problem”. Due to volume of disability benefits claims involving mental illness, the...
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