Receiving a long term disability (LTD) denial letter from an insurance company can be devastating. Many people assume that once benefits are denied or stopped the insurer must be right and there is nothing more that can be done. That assumption is often wrong. A denial does not mean the insurer is correct. In many cases, it simply means the insurer has decided to protect its own financial interests rather than fairly assess your claim.
Long term disability insurance exists to replace income when illness or injury prevents a person from working. Despite this purpose insurers frequently rely on strict interpretations of policy wording selective medical reviews and internal assessments that do not reflect a claimant’s real limitations. From a plaintiff’s perspective an LTD denial is often the beginning of a dispute rather than the end of the process.
Benefits Can Be Denied Even After Being Paid
Many claimants are surprised when benefits are cut off after months or even years of payment. Insurers may claim that your condition has improved that you no longer meet the definition of disability or that you are capable of working in some other occupation. These decisions are often made without meeting you and sometimes without input from your treating doctors.
Courts have repeatedly recognized that insurers must assess disability fairly and reasonably. For example in Fidler v Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that disability insurance contracts must be administered in good faith and that insurers can be held accountable when benefits are wrongfully denied. A denial letter is not the final word and many benefit terminations can be successfully challenged with proper legal representation.
Psychological and Emotional Disabilities Are Real
Psychological and emotional conditions are a common basis for long term disability claims. Conditions such as depression anxiety post traumatic stress disorder and other mental health disorders can make it impossible for a person to function reliably in the workplace. These conditions impact concentration memory emotional regulation motivation and the ability to interact with others.
Despite this, insurers often treat psychological claims with skepticism. They may label symptoms as subjective minimize their impact or suggest that a claimant should be able to work simply because there are no visible physical injuries. This approach ignores medical reality. Courts have consistently recognized that mental health conditions can be just as disabling as physical injuries and must be assessed seriously and fairly.
We regularly assist clients whose LTD claims were denied or terminated due to psychological or emotional disabilities. With proper medical evidence and a strategic legal approach these claims can succeed.
No Fees Unless We Recover Money for You
We believe access to justice should not depend on your financial situation. There is no cost for consultations and we do not get paid unless we recover money for you. This allows our clients to pursue their rights without taking on additional financial stress at an already difficult time.
We Are Here to Help
If your long term disability benefits have been denied or cut off you do not have to accept the insurer’s decision. Legal advice can make a significant difference. Our firm helps clients challenge wrongful denials hold insurers accountable and pursue the benefits they are entitled to under their policies.
If you are facing an LTD dispute contact us for a free consultation at vkats@lmklawyers.com We are ready to help.