If your long-term disability (LTD) benefits were denied, cut off, or reduced, you are not alone — and you are not powerless.
Insurers can deny LTD claims that should have been approved. Disputes can arise over medical evidence, policy wording, your ability to work, or whether you continue to meet the definition of disability..
The long-term disability lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP are part of our national disability law practice and help Ontario claimants challenge denied or terminated LTD benefits and pursue the compensation they’re owed.
When Should You Speak to a Long-Term Disability Lawyer?
You should speak to an Ontario LTD lawyer as soon as you experience any of the following:
- Your LTD claim is denied at the application stage
- Your benefits are cut off after 24 months
- The insurer says you can work in “any occupation”
- Payments are reduced due to offsets or policy interpretations
- You are pressured to return to work against medical advice
- Surveillance, social-media evidence or an insurer medical assessment is being used to challenge your claim
Why LTD Claims Are Denied in Ontario
Long-term disability Ontario disputes often centre on whether the medical evidence and your functional limitations meet the definition of disability in the policy. An insurer can reach a different conclusion from you and your doctors about whether you are capable of working.
Common reasons insurers give for denying or terminating LTD benefits include:
- Deciding that you no longer meet the definition of disability
- Relying on a medical file review or insurer-requested assessment
- Disagreeing with your treating doctor’s opinion
- Deciding that you can perform another occupation
- Using evidence of daily activities to question your work capacity
- Treating a return-to-work attempt as evidence that you can resume employment
Own Occupation vs. Any Occupation Disability
Most Ontario LTD policies use two definitions of disability:
Own Occupation (First Phase)
During the early stage of your claim, you qualify if you can’t perform the essential duties of your own job.
You do not need to be totally incapacitated to qualify.
Any Occupation (Later Phase)
After approximately 24 months, many LTD policies change their definition of disability from your own occupation to another occupation or gainful occupation test.
Ontario courts have repeatedly confirmed this does not mean any job at all. The work must be:
- Realistic
- Consistent with your education and experience
- Medically sustainable
- Available in the real labour market
How a Long-Term Disability Lawyer Helps Level the Playing Field
Insurance companies are large, sophisticated organizations with significant resources, including claims professionals, medical consultants and legal teams. Their interests are not necessarily aligned with yours when your benefits are denied or cut off.
A long-term disability lawyer in Ontario helps by:
- Reviewing your policy wording in detail
- Identifying weaknesses in the insurer’s denial rationale
- Coordinating medical and functional evidence strategically
- Helping you communicate with the insurer and avoid mistakes that can hurt your claim
- Taking legal action when disability benefits are wrongfully denied or terminated
At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we regularly deal with major insurers such as Sun Life, Canada Life and Manulife and bring years of industry experience to understanding how LTD claims are assessed and how denied claims can be challenged.
No Upfront Fees for Ontario LTD Claims
We represent long-term disability clients on a contingency basis.
That means:
- No upfront legal fees
- No hourly billing
- You only pay if we recover compensation
Why Choose Samfiru Tumarkin LLP as Your LTD Lawyer in Ontario?
Our team handles every part of your case so you can focus on your health.
Millions Recovered for Denied LTD Claims
We’ve recovered millions of dollars for Canadians whose LTD benefits were wrongfully denied or cut off.
Ontario-Focused, Nationally Respected
Our lawyers handle LTD claims across Canada, with deep Ontario-specific experience navigating local courts, insurers, and policy standards.
Insurance Industry Expertise
Some of our disability lawyers previously worked for insurance companies. That industry experience helps us understand how disability claims are assessed, what evidence matters and how to challenge a denial or benefit cutoff.
Canada’s Most-Reviewed Disability Law Firm
With thousands of five-star reviews, clients across Ontario consistently trust us to step in when disability benefits are on the line.
Proven Results in High-Stakes LTD Litigation
From complex medical disputes to wrongful benefit cutoffs, we’ve built a track record of results insurers take seriously.
Not Intimidated by Insurance Companies
We regularly take on Canada’s largest insurers — and they know we don’t back down when our clients’ benefits are at risk.
Cities We Serve in Ontario
Our long-term disability lawyers represent clients across Ontario. While many of our cases involve major urban centres, we assist individuals throughout the province — including the following cities:
Speak With a Long-Term Disability Lawyer in Ontario
If your long-term disability benefits were denied or cut off, do not assume the insurer is right.
A short conversation with a long-term disability lawyer in Ontario at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help you understand:
- Whether the insurer had a valid basis to deny or terminate your benefits
- What evidence actually matters
- What steps protect your benefits moving forward
Independent Legal Information: This page was prepared by Samfiru Tumarkin LLP as an independent legal resource for people dealing with disability claims. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is not affiliated with or endorsed by any insurance company mentioned on this page. References to issues that can arise during disability claims describe general legal and insurance principles or circumstances that can arise in individual cases. Your rights depend on your policy and individual circumstances.