Long Term Disability Lawyers Serving Ontario

If you're unable to work due to illness or injury, a focused long term disability lawyer can help you secure the disability benefit you paid for. Our Burlington team advises clients across Ontario—GTA, Hamilton, Niagara, Ottawa, and beyond—on long term disability claims, appeals, and litigation. Immediate tip: ask your doctor to write a specific "functional limitations" letter (not just a diagnosis). It's one of the most persuasive forms of medical evidence in an LTD claim.

Do you qualify for long-term disability benefits?

In most disability insurance policies, long term disability (LTD) benefits begin after short-term disability or an elimination period. For roughly the first 24 months, the definition of disability is usually "own occupation": you're unable to work in your regular job due to a covered condition. After that, many policies switch to "any occupation," which asks if you're unable to work due to your condition in any job you're reasonably suited for by training, education, or experience. (This is where things get tricky.)

Who qualifies? People with conditions such as depression, PTSD, chronic pain, long-COVID, autoimmune disease, orthopedic and neurological disorders, and serious injuries from accidents. Long-term injuries may fluctuate; your records should reflect flare-ups and fatigue.

(We can't predict outcomes, but we can tell you what typically happens and how to position your case.)

How a disability lawyer strengthens your disability claim (Ontario)

A disability lawyer reviews your disability insurance policy, identifies the exact tests you must meet, and maps evidence to those tests. In our experience representing GTA and Halton clients, a long term disability lawyer adds value by:

• Clarifying your policy: We translate technical terms in your specific insurance policy, group plan, or individual coverage. Every long-term disability contract is different.
• Building medical proof: We help your doctors focus on medical evidence that speaks to total disability and work capacity—not just diagnosis.
• Coordinating forms: We guide filing a claim (employee, employer, and physician statements) and ensure consistency to reduce the chance an insurer can exploit gaps.
• Protecting timelines: If a claim is denied, we move promptly toward litigation rather than endless internal appeals.
• Negotiating outcomes: From reinstatement of LTD benefits to settlement, strategy depends on your health, job, and long-term goals, including a safe return to work when appropriate.

Denied LTD or a long-term disability claim? Free consultation today.

If you were denied in Ontario, or received a letter that denied your claim, don't panic. It's common for insurance companies to deny claims at first, especially near the 24-month "change of definition." We offer a free consultation to review the denial, your insurance policy, and next steps.

We routinely act for clients throughout Ontario, including Toronto, Peel, York, Durham, and Eastern/Northern communities.

Insurance companies & LTD: what really happens (Ontario)

Here's the practitioner reality we see with insurance companies and a disability insurer (or disability insurance companies) on the other side:

• File reviews: An insurer may rely on paper reviews instead of independent exams. We test their assumptions against objective medicals.
• Surveillance & social media: Insurance companies sometimes conduct surveillance. Context matters; we address any misleading clips.
• "Any occupation" disputes: At 24 months, insurance companies frequently argue transferable skills exist. Vocational and neuropsych assessments can rebut this.
• Requests for "updates": An insurer may ask for ongoing forms; provide new medical information consistently to avoid gaps.
• Offsets & coordination: LTD often offsets Canada Pension Plan disability and other income. We make sure calculations match your specific insurance policy.

When necessary, we hold insurance companies accountable in court. Our goal is straightforward: secure the long-term disability benefits you're entitled to under your long term disability policy.

Step-by-step: from filing a claim to settlement or return to work

Fees, access to justice & serving all of Ontario

We know finances are tight when you're off work. We offer a contingency fee arrangement with no upfront legal fees—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. During your free consultation, we'll explain percentages, disbursements, and what to expect.

We are Burlington-based ontario disability lawyers and lawyers in Ontario assisting clients across Ontario. Need a disability lawyer in Toronto? We regularly meet clients in Toronto and the GTA by video or in person. Serving all of Ontario means you get the right team regardless of postal code.

(Past results don't guarantee future outcomes. We provide information, not legal advice tailored to your facts until we're retained.)

Common conditions we see in disability insurance claims

• Orthopedic: back/neck disorders, postoperative recovery, chronic pain
• Neurological: spinal cord injury, neuropathies, migraines
• Psychological: major depression, anxiety, PTSD, burnout
• Autoimmune & systemic: MS, lupus, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, long-COVID
• Cancer care and treatment side-effects
• Cardiorespiratory: CHF, COPD, POTS

Scope of your injury (or condition) matters more than the label. Document functional limits: sitting/standing tolerance, lifting, concentration, stamina, absenteeism, and medication side-effects. That's what moves decision-makers.

CPP Disability, STD and LTD: coordinating benefits

We often coordinate STD and LTD claims, employer sick leave, and Canada Pension Plan disability. Disability benefits in Canada can interact—CPP-D may reduce LTD payments, but approval can also support your LTD case. We'll discuss when (and whether) to apply.

Life insurance and term disability benefits sometimes sit within the same group plan. Each has different triggers and forms.

Practical checklist: documents to gather

If your long term disability claim stalled or your ltd claim was questioned, contact a disability lawyer for a free consultation today. We'll review coverage, map the long-term disability claim strategy, and explain fees plainly. No pressure—just information and next steps.

Burlington-based, serving all of Ontario. Whether you need a long-term disability lawyer near you or a disability lawyer in Toronto, we're ready to help throughout Ontario.