After an accident, you may feel as though your life has been turned upside down. Through continued consultations with your doctor, you can learn more about your condition. Indeed, you hope for the best results possible, but that isn’t always the case. Your doctor may review your diagnosis and conclude that you have a long-term disability.
If this happens to you, you may be unable to return to a job you love or participate in things as easily as you once did. Perhaps you’ll be unable to stand or sit for long periods because your injury makes you constantly uncomfortable. What’s more, receiving the compensation you need to continue living a fulfilling life without the fear of going into debt can be an uphill battle.
Our reputable long-term disability claim lawyers can help you file your claim or appeal in a way that maximizes its chance of success. At Bergeron Clifford, our team of legal professionals cares about your story and aims to advocate for your rights and a fair compensation e to live with dignity.
What are the Causes of a Long-Term Disability?
A long-term disability is any medical condition that makes it impossible for you to resume your regular job duties for up to two years. If you cannot return to work in any way, you can qualify for long-term disability benefits beyond that initial period. Some causes of long-term disabilities include the following:
- Slipping and falling at work and suffering from a spinal, back, or neck injury
- Becoming injured in a car accident and unable to return to work
- Suffering from an illness that keeps you from being able to perform your job duties
- Being diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury
- Losing a limb following an accident and being unable to work again
What is Long-Term Disability Coverage?
- This type of coverage is supposed to provide you with a significant portion of your current income if you’re hurt and unable to work. When you’re first injured, you might qualify for short-term disability coverage until it becomes clear you’re not going to be able to return to your job for a long time, if ever. Long-term disability coverage pays 50% to 70% of your income before you have sustained your injury until you recover. If your health concerns are permanent, you may receive this income for the rest of your life.
What Evidence is Needed to Win a Claim?
Insurance companies may demand extensive medical records, tests and doctor’s notes to support your need for long-term disability income. To prove you’re entitled to long-term disability, you must show you cannot perform the same job duties you assumed before your accident or illness. Sometimes, insurance companies impose harsh requirements for meeting this criterion so that it’s more difficult for you to get your benefits, though you are entitled to them.
You may be denied long-term disability income outright, or the insurance company could pay you for a short period and then cut you off. They might claim that enough time has gone by, and by their standards, you can return to work even though your injuries still make you incapable of doing the same job you did before.
What Happens After an Insurance Denial?
If an insurance company has denied you the benefits you’re entitled to, you don’t need to give in or give up. You’re able to appeal an insurance denial and should do so after you speak with our experienced long-term disability claim lawyer. With our legal team in your corner, we can increase your odds of favourable negotiations with the insurance company or winning an appeal.
We can also help you provide the documents your insurance company needs to prove you’re disabled and unable to return to work. If the reason you cannot return to your job is because of an accident, you could also bring legal action against the party responsible, which we can certainly help you with.
How Bergeron Clifford Can Help
At Bergeron Clifford, our team exclusively works on personal injury cases. We have the knowledge and expertise needed to ensure the best outcome for your personal injury claim.
If you’ve been denied by your insurance, the help of our long-term disability claim lawyers can make all the difference. Contact us to schedule a free consultation, learn more about our process, and discover how our legal professionals can support you on your journey after an accident.
Talk on Long Term disability claims in the Moral Injury Conference by Ted Bergeron.
Contact us at 866-384-5886 or fill out our online form if you have had a concussion or other head injury in Eastern Ontario. We can meet you at our office locations in Kingston, Ottawa, Whitby, Carleton Place, Perth or other local offices, or wherever is most convenient for you.
Living with spinal cord injuries may be challenging.
Recovering from, or adapting to, a serious injury can take time. However, given enough time and proper care, many injured people are able to return to a life very much like the one they knew before suffering the injury.
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