Lethbridge Disability Lawyers

Disability insurance is not usually top of mind for people until they suddenly need it. When an illness or injury makes it impossible for you to work, the policies that are supposed to help you and your family can end up being full of challenging loopholes.

At Litco Law, our lawyers are here to help you navigate Alberta’s disability insurance. You do not have to go through this process alone: contact our legal team in Lethbridge for a free consultation.

Our team has helped numerous clients get meaningful compensation from their insurers after their disability claim has been unfairly denied. We understand how stressful a denied claim can be. That is why we want to ensure your insurance company pays you what you deserve.

Common Types of Injuries Eligible for Disability Claims

Litco Law's lawyers have worked on disability benefits cases covering a wide range of illnesses and injuries, including:

• ALS


• Anxiety


• Cancer


• Cardiac Issues


• Chronic fatigue


• Chronic pain


• Colitis


• Crohn's disease


• Depression


• Diabetes


• Fibromyalgia


• Fractures


• Multiple Sclerosis


• Neck or back pain


• Nerve pain


• Parkinson's disease


• Psychiatric issues, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder


• Rheumatoid arthritis


• Somatic Pain Disorder


• Thoracic outlet syndrome


• Vision issues


• And more

How Does Disability Insurance Work?

Many employees and their employers contribute to insurance plans that offer short-term and long term disability insurance benefits.

Short-term disability insurance benefits usually cover up to 90 days. For these, you need a doctor's note or report explaining the extent of the illness or injury, and an estimate of when they assume you will be able to return to work. If you are still not better after the short-term benefits end, you can apply for long term disability insurance benefits.

Applying for long-term benefits can be complicated, especially if your physical condition demands a long recovery period, or if you might never be able to return to your old job. Some insurance plans stipulate that in order to access long-term benefits, you must be unable to do any job for which you are trained. Sometimes, though, they start giving benefits if you are unable do the specific things your own job requires. If it is possible to change aspects of your job to accommodate your condition, they might expect you to work with some changes to your duties.

For long-term benefits, insurance companies might not just take your own doctor's word for it. They usually want you to see another doctor of their choosing for a separate check-up. Because these doctors are paid by insurance companies, you may have questions as to the impartiality of these checks. At times like these, our Lethbridge disability lawyers may be able to ensure you are treated fairly and get the compensation you deserve.

Application Process

When applying for disability benefits, it is essential that you have a thorough understanding of the deadlines, eligibility requirements, and what to do if your claim is denied. Here is a general overview of the application process:

Gather Your Documents: Before you apply for long term disability (LTD) benefits, make sure you have all your paperwork ready. This includes your LTD claim form, the policy document, and any letters you received if your claim was previously denied.

What to Do If You Are Denied: If your claim is denied, you usually have a prescribed number of days to appeal, which means asking them to review your case again. This is a good time to talk to one of our Lethbridge disability lawyers, as they may be able to help you decide whether it is in your best interests to appeal.

Watch the Clock for Filing a Claim: There is a time limit for taking your claim to court. In most cases, you have two years from when your claim was denied. Some insurance plans might have shorter deadlines, so it is important to watch out for those.

Possible Deductions: Depending on your insurance, the amount of disability compensation you receive might be less if you are also getting money from other social services.

Contact our Lethbridge Disability Lawyers Today

For over 45 years, we have helped Albertans just like you with disability claims. If your disability claim has been denied by your insurance company, there may be help available. We understand how challenging it can be when you are denied disability benefits. If you cannot work because of your disability and your insurance company will not help with income replacement, it can put you in a hard spot financially. You might feel pressured to go back to work too soon, or look for another job, which can be bad for your health and well-being. As well, the thought of going to court against a big insurance company is too overwhelming for most people.

That is where our team at Litco Law Lethbridge comes in. We have your back, so you do not have to carry the burden and stress alone. Your initial consultation with us is free, and you are under no obligation to pursue a claim with us. If you decide to choose us, we will not get paid unless we recover money for you. Get started by setting up a free consultation with our Lethbridge disability lawyers today.