Long-term disability
benefits
denied?

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How can legal services help you?

People obtain insurance so that they have peace of mind and financial security when something goes wrong. When an insurance company denies your benefits, it can be stressful and sometimes devastating to you and your family.

Slater Vecchio LLP offers legal services to people who have been denied or cut off of their long-term disability benefits by their insurer. We have 25 years of experience helping people like you obtain financial compensation for the denial of the benefits you are entitled to.

Don’t give up hope. Our legal team will help you review your claim and discuss your options with you.

Contact our team today for a complimentary consultation, and let us help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Don’t delay! Typically, insurance policies have deadlines for submitting your application and supporting documents and requesting a denial appeal. If you miss these deadlines, your claim might be denied.

We can assist with denials of:

LTD benefits

Critical illness insurance

Life insurance

Mortgage insurance

What is our client-centered approach?

Slater Vecchio is built on the philosophy that our clients come first. Hearing your story and understanding your needs is an important part of helping you. We recognize that it can be difficult to share your story and we aim to create a safe, supportive space for you. This does not have to happen in one day.

We are here to help whenever you are ready.

Our client-centred approach includes:

Where can we help?

We offer services to residents of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. We have experience working with clients and insurance companies in all communities, large and small.

Technology brings your legal team to you wherever you are, even in the comfort of your own home. We are happy to connect with you virtually or in person.

Real-life Client Scenarios

Disability from Own Occupation

John, an architect, developed severe rheumatoid arthritis, which made the detailed drawing work his job required impossible. His specialist provided a medical note confirming his diagnosis and the impact on his fine motor skills. Despite that opinion, his LTD insurance denied his claim, on the basis that he can do other design-type jobs. The insurer overlooked that John’s insurance policy was an own occupation policy and that his disability entitlement depended only on if he was disabled from work as an architect. It did not matter whether there were other fields he could work in. John may have a claim for wrongful denial on the basis that he cannot return to his own job as an architect.

$4.1 Million
Settlement

Misunderstanding of Medical Opinion & Pre-Existing Conditions

Samantha was an elementary school teacher who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident that caused her disabling migraines. She had pre-existing headaches, but never migraines. Her doctor provided a medical note supporting that she was disabled due to migraines. Her LTD policy had an exclusion for pre-existing conditions. Her insurer denied benefits on the basis that her headaches were pre-existing. Samantha can make a claim that the exclusionary clause does not apply to her, because the diagnosis is different and that the insurer misunderstood the medical opinion.

Non-Disclosure or Administrative Errors

Alex, a software developer, filed for LTD benefits after being diagnosed with advanced Lyme disease, which led to severe fatigue and joint pain. His insurer initially processed his claim but two months later, he received a notice that his claim was suspended due to missing medical records. Unbeknownst to Alex, his insurer had misplaced the supplementary health records he submitted. Consequently, Alex’s benefits were unjustly suspended based on the insurer’s administrative error. He could bring a claim on the basis that his benefits were wrongfully suspended due to the insurer’s error.

Delayed Claim Processing

Rebecca, an event planner, filed for LTD due to a chronic illness. Her insurer excessively delayed processing her claim, causing significant financial and emotional stress. The insurer provided no valid reason for the delay. Rebecca’s case could involve seeking compensation for the undue hardship caused by the insurer’s failure to process her claim in a timely manner and possibly include penalties for delayed payments.

Partial Disability Misclassification

Carlos, a construction manager, sustained a back injury that prevented him from performing his regular duties, but he was able to do light-duty work. His insurer denied benefits on the basis that he was no longer disabled. However, Carlos was earning less money in a light-duty role and only working part time. Carlos had a policy that included partial disabilities and may be able to claim for a top up of his partial earnings.

Failure to Consider All Relevant Medical Evidence

Mike, a pilot, was diagnosed with a heart condition that grounded him from flying. His insurer denied his LTD benefits by selectively considering only some of his medical reports, ignoring key details about his specific risk factors and the nature of his job that makes him unfit to fly. Mike can make a claim that the insurer did not adequately consider all medical information which affected their decision.

Improper Surveillance Use

Linda, a former bank manager, was on LTD for a severe anxiety disorder. Her insurer cut off her benefits based on video surveillance footage showing her shopping and socializing. However, her activities captured in the footage were consistent with her doctor’s recommendations for engaging in social activities as part of her therapy. Linda can bring a claim that he benefits were wrongfully terminated.

Common reasons insurance companies deny claims

The insurance company almost always provides you with a reason or basis for their denial. Sometimes the denial is wrongfully made, despite their justification. Don’t give up hope. Our legal team can help you to understand your rights and options.

These reasons can include failure to:

Provide sufficient medical evidence

Distinguish your injuries from a pre-existing condition

File the claim or appeal on time

Fall within the definition of disability

Have an ongoing disability

Be “totally” disabled

Fall outside of an exclusionary cause

Follow the appropriate treatment plan and recommendations

You did not provide sufficient medical evidence

You have a pre-existing condition

You filed the claim or appeal after a deadline

You injuries do not fit the definition of disability

You have been told you can return to work

You are not “totally” disabled

Your circumstances fall within an exclusionary cause

You are not following the appropriate treatment plan and recommendations

You filed the claim or appeal after a deadline

Learn more about your long-term disability rights

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What are my next steps?

Step 1. Collect

Collect your important documents including:

Step 2. Contact

Contact Slater Vecchio to schedule a complimentary consultation.

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Disclaimer:

Real-life client scenarios have been anonymized and are not exclusively clients of Slater Vecchio LLP. Contacting us does not create a solicitor-client relationship. Long-term disability insurance dispute service only available in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.

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We will use your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. Contacting us does not create a solicitor-client relationship.

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We will use your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. Contacting us does not create a solicitor-client relationship.