Effortlessly Persuasive: A Trial Lawyer Shares Insights
I was recently interviewed for an interesting article about persuasion by Ruth-Anne Eisler Business Writer, Editor, and Corporate Communications Specialist. Persuading: it’s a key component of business communication, even for those with expert knowledge of their subject matter. From a presentation to a pitch to meeting with potential clients, the ability to persuade is a necessary and practical communication skill for all of us—and arguably one of the most important skills you’ll need in 2020 (and beyond). And who better to discuss than a trial lawyer, one who routinely appears before...
read moreSuing your insurance company – the basic steps.
The decision to sue your insurer is not one you have taken lightly. If you are considering legal action, it is likely because you have tried everything in your power to get your long-term disability benefits, but the insurance company continues to deny your claim. The first step to successfully appealing the insurance company’s decision is to find an experienced insurance denial lawyer with a track record of success fighting against your insurance company. It is critical to do this as soon as you are denied by the insurance company so you do not miss any important deadlines. At a time where...
read moreDoes life insurance cover suicide?
Life insurance normally pays out in cases of suicide, unless it happens during a particular exclusionary window laid out in the policy. Life insurance provides a financial safety net that can last for decades. One concern that some insurance shoppers have is that an insurance company won’t pay the death benefit if the policyholder dies. This is typically unfounded, as life insurance policies almost always pay out; there are even protections in place if a carrier goes bankrupt. But are there scenarios where life insurance won’t pay out? For example, does life insurance cover suicide?...
read moreSettle your long-term disability claim – it’s GOOD for you.
You made a claim with an insurance company for long-term disability benefits. Your claim for long-term disability benefits been denied, or your long-term disability benefits were approved then terminated. Is the struggle slowly killing you? The solution? Settle. It’s good for you. Here’s why. Financial Peace of Mind: A claimant and his or her family frequently face dire financial consequences when the claimant is disabled from working, and then deprived of the disability benefits on which they had expected to rely. A lump sum settlement of a disability claim brings the...
read moreConfidentiality clauses – why insurers love them, and why they should be abolished.
Most of my cases settle, often at mediation. Typically the insurer will bring a “standard” form of release to the mediation for my client to sign. If not, when the insurance company’s lawyer sends me the cheque it will be accompanied by a form of release which my client must sign in order to receive the settlement funds. In either case, the release will always contains something not usually discussed – a confidentiality clause. A confidentiality clause prohibits the parties to a settlement from disclosing the settlement terms. Confidentiality raises numerous problems. It can be bad for...
read moreAre LTD benefits taxable or non-taxable? It depends.
When assessing a litigated claim for long-term disability benefits, one very important consideration an insurance denial lawyer must always be aware of is whether the long-term disability benefits are taxable or non-taxable under the specific disability policy at issue in the claim. Long-term disability benefits are typically taxable under a policy when an employer pays a portion (or all) of the insurance premiums on a disability policy. Long-term disability benefits are typically non-taxable under a policy when an employee pays 100% of the insurance premiums on the disability...
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