Disability law and personal injury law differ considerably. Long term disability law is so complex that you want to hire lawyer who is experienced and skilled in this particular field of law. This ensures that all facets of your case are considered, that the law is being followed exactly, and that you have the best chance of procuring a payout.
How to Quality for Disability Insurance
We have many clients come to us seeking a disability lawyer without knowing what disability insurance is and whether they even qualify for it or not. In simple terms, this kind of insurance replaces your income. The disability insurance could serve as a replacement for your regular income, if you are injured or become ill outside of work.
Longer-term disability insurance policies will often provide an individual or group with the following benefits (though certain limitations apply):
- Hourly and salary wages replace by monthly payment, covering a portion of your usual income
- Incentives to return to work or become rehabilitated, including financial incentive
Filing for long-term disability insurance is fairly easy, but to have that claim processed quickly and to have the claim accepted and payout made in a timely manner can be another thing entirely. Some insurance companies drag their feet in these matters and may take a long time to start making payments. In that time, you could be suffering further loss of income, financial hardships and emotional stress as you wait for your first payout or a simple verdict on your application. An experienced long term disability lawyer in Toronto, ON can work on your behalf to ensure that you are paid out quickly and that there is no hassle or delay in the claims process. You will receive compensation faster and have fewer issues to deal with when you hire a skilled lawyer to handle your disability case.
How Your Disability Lawyer Helps You
A good lawyer will be working hard, often behind the scenes, to make sure that things get done and that you get the money that is owed you. Your lawyer will be gathering evidence for you, talking to doctors, insurance agents, employers, and even police, if necessary. Many times, your insurance claim will move slowly because no one is being motivated to hurry the process along and get you compensation. A disability lawyer will remind them of their legal responsibility and make the details of your case known as necessary to spur action where normally companies and individuals would be taking their time and delaying the entire process.
Your insurance company may have no intention of denying your coverage and compensation, and your employer may not want to keep your income from you, but they often need to be motivated before they move into action and before your claims are processed in a timely manner. A large part of a disability lawyer’s job is to provide that motivation.
Your lawyer will also gather evidence for your case, looking at medical records, video recordings, police reports and other items that can be used in support of your case. Your lawyer will ensure that you have the strongest case possible and will advise you whether to try to settle out of court or proceed to court with your claim. They will be your advocate during every step of the process and ensure you know what is required of you.
Your insurance company may not tell you about what your rights are and when the cutoff time is for adding documents to the official record. Your lawyer will be advising you during the entire process and ensure that all necessary documents have been filed and included as part of the case so that they can be used to support your claim.
Your insurance company may be trying to work with loopholes, attempting to get out of paying full composition, if they can. Your lawyer will be advocating on your behalf to ensure that the insurance company plays fair and treats you properly. Because your insurer knows more about the long-term disability laws than you do, you need someone who knows as much as they do and who can beat them at their own game.
When to Hire A Long-Term Disability Lawyer
People will hire legal representation at different points in their case. Some people wait until their claim is denied by the insurance company and they have been turned down. Others wait until it is time to go to court and they need legal representation in the court. When should you call for legal help with your case?
We suggest hiring someone as soon as possible, usually within a week or two after your incident. You need someone who will be on your side the entire way, advising you what to do and informing you of your rights. This kind of help will motivate you to move forward with the case when you might otherwise be unsure. It will also help you to avoid a loss of important documentation that gives you the best chance for full compensation.
The sooner the lawyer can go to work collecting evidence and adding it to the case file, the stronger your case will be and the likelier you are to receive full compensation. It can take a while to receive a payout for long-term disability, so the sooner you have a disability lawyer on your side, the better.
It is advisable to at least consult with a Toronto long term disability lawyer before you even file an insurance claim. The lawyer can help to assess your documentation and ensure it is all in order. The lawyer can also advise you of how to file and what to claim for so that you are more likely to receive compensation. The lawyer can also speak to the insurance company on your behalf.
If you want to level the playing field and have the best chance to be compensated for the long term, then contact us today. Our legal team is willing to help you with your case and ensure that you receive what is owed you. While a long term disability can feel like a fight, it doesn’t have to be a fight you take on by yourself.