We understand the stress and frustration that comes with being unfairly denied your disability benefits. Call us.
The disability lawyers at our firm will provide a confidential and comprehensive assessment of your short-term or long-term disability benefits claim, free of charge. There are no obligations. We want to make this experience as stress free as possible. We offer a contingency fee arrangement which depends on the type of case and can be up to 33% of the award or settlement.
Our lawyers can help with:
- Applications for short-term disability benefits
- Reviewing short-term disability benefits applications
- Appealing short-term disability benefits denials
- Applications for long-term disability benefits
- Reviewing long-term disability benefits applications
- Appealing long-term disability benefits denials
- Commencing an action and fighting for what is rightfully owed to you
Short-Term Disability (“STD”)
Short-term disability benefit is a type of benefit that is often provided to employees as part of their benefits package.
STD and LTD benefits are a form of income replacement benefit that provides income to an employee who is unable to work due to an illness or an injury. It is a contract for benefits between the payor (employer or insurer) and the applicant (you) that is meant to provide you with peace of mind in times of need.
Although it depends on the terms of the policy, as stated in the name, short-term disability benefits only last for a short period of time. The average STD benefit runs from 12 weeks (3 months) to upwards of 24 weeks (6 months). Afterwards, if available, the short-term disability benefits claim is converted to a long-term disability claim (see below).
The test for whether or not an applicant qualifies for short-term disability benefits is whether or not the applicant is “totally disabled”. It is important to understand that the term “totally disabled” or “total disability” does not mean that the applicant must be totally disabled in the literal sense. The term “totally disabled” or “total disability” is a defined term that differs from policy to policy. Call us at 416-363-1112 for free assistance in determining whether you qualify for disability benefits.
Common reasons employees receive Short-Term Disability benefits:
- Addiction
- Surgery
- Recovering from surgery
- Injury/accident (temporary or permanent)
- Recovering from injury/accident
- Mental health illness (temporary or permanent), such as depression and anxiety
- Onset of an illness or disease
- Flaring up of a pre-existing illness or disease
- Experiencing a death in the family
This list is not exhaustive. If ever in doubt, call our disability lawyers at 416-363-1112 for a free and confidential consultation.
Long-Term Disability (“LTD”)
Much like short-term disability benefits, long-term disability benefits are also a type of benefit that is often provided to employees as part of their benefits package.
LTD benefit is also a form of income replacement benefit that provides income to an employee who is unable to work due to an illness or an injury.
Long-Term Disability benefits generally begin immediately after your short-term disability benefits end. If your employer does not provide short-term disability benefits, then long-term disability benefits typically begin after sick leave benefits from your employer ends or after EI Sickness Benefits end (15 weeks is the maximum period).
Although it depends on the individual disability insurance policy, most LTD benefits typically replace between 60% to 80% of your normal or pre-disability income. Unlike short-term disability benefits, LTD benefits are typically payable to a claimant up to age 65.
The test for whether or not an applicant qualifies for long-term disability benefits is whether or not the applicant is “totally disabled”. Much like with short-term disability, it is important to understand that the term “totally disabled” or “total disability” does not mean that the applicant must be totally disabled in the literal sense. The term “totally disabled” or “total disability” is a defined term that differs from policy to policy. Call us at 416-363-1112 for free assistance in determining whether you qualify for disability benefits.
Common reasons employees receive Long-Term Disability benefits:
- Cancer
- Addiction
- Injury/accident (temporary or permanent)
- Back injuries
- Arm injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Leg injuries
- Knee injuries
- Hand injuries
- Head injuries\Recovering from injury/accident
- Mental health illness (temporary or permanent)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bi-polar mood disorder
- Substance abuse disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Onset of an illness or disease
- Migraines
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Sleep disorders, such as Insomnia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Infections
- Nervous system disorders
- Diabetes Heart disease
- Lyme disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Flaring up of a pre-existing illness or disease
This list is not exhaustive. If ever in doubt, call our disability lawyers at 416-363-1112 for a free and confidential consultation.
