Long Term Disability Denied in BC: What to Do Next

If your long-term disability (LTD) claim in British Columbia was denied, it does not mean you’re ineligible for benefits.

LTD denials are common — and many are overturned once insurers are challenged with the right medical evidence and legal strategy.

This guide explains why LTD claims are denied in BC, what mistakes to avoid after a denial, and the most effective steps to protect your benefits.

What Does It Mean When an LTD Claim Is Denied?

An LTD denial means your insurance company has decided — often incorrectly — that you no longer meet the policy’s definition of disability.

Insurers frequently deny claims by:

• downplaying medical evidence
• misapplying policy definitions
• relying on flawed assessments or surveillance
• gnoring how your condition affects real-world work ability

A denial is not the final word.

What to Do Immediately After Your LTD Claim Is Denied in BC

1. Don’t Assume the Insurer Is Right

Insurance companies are not neutral decision-makers. Denials often reflect internal cost controls — not a fair assessment of your health.

2. Do Not Quit or Return to Work Prematurely

Returning to work or resigning can seriously undermine your claim. Always get advice before making changes.

3. Request and Keep All Denial Documents

This includes denial letters, medical reviews, vocational reports, and surveillance summaries.

4. Be Cautious With Internal Appeals

Internal appeals are reviewed by the same insurer that denied your claim — and are rarely successful. In many cases, they delay resolution and put limitation periods at risk.

5. Get Legal Guidance Early

Early advice can help preserve evidence, protect deadlines, and prevent mistakes that insurers rely on later.

Common Reasons LTD Claims Are Denied in British Columbia

BC insurers typically deny LTD claims using a small set of recurring arguments — often unrelated to whether you can actually work.

“You’re Not Totally Disabled”

Insurers often rely on a narrow interpretation of total disability, ignoring pain, fatigue, cognitive limits, and fluctuating symptoms.

Surveillance or Social Media Evidence

Insurers may claim that limited activity contradicts disability — even when it does not reflect sustained work capacity.

Insurer Medical or Functional Assessments

Insurer-chosen doctors or assessors may minimize symptoms or rely on brief evaluations that don’t reflect real limitations.

Change From “Own Occupation” to “Any Occupation”

Around the 24-month mark, many claims are denied after the policy shifts to a stricter definition of disability.

Sedentary Work Assumptions

Insurers often argue you can perform “sedentary work” without considering pain, fatigue, cognitive limits, or the need for consistency.

Should You Appeal an LTD Denial Internally?

In most BC cases, internal appeals are not the best option.

They:

• are reviewed by the insurer, not an independent party
• often rely on the same flawed reasoning
• can delay legal action
• may weaken your position if handled improperly

Most successful LTD denials in British Columbia are resolved through legal claims, not internal appeals, because insurers respond differently once independent legal pressure is applied.

How a Long-Term Disability Lawyer Helps After a Denial

After an LTD denial, the issue is rarely medical alone — it’s about how insurers apply policy definitions, interpret evidence, and justify benefit cutoffs.

A disability lawyer can help by:

• reviewing the exact wording of your LTD policy
• identifying legal weaknesses in the insurer’s denialcoordinating stronger medical and functional evidence
• challenging IMEs, surveillance, and vocational reports
• protecting limitation periods and legal leverage

This allows you to focus on your health while your claim is handled strategically.

How Long Do You Have to Challenge an LTD Denial in British Columbia?

Strict limitation periods apply. Waiting too long can permanently bar your claim — even if the denial was unfair.

Getting advice early helps ensure deadlines are protected and options remain open.

When LTD Payments Don’t Add Up

Understanding how long-term disability works in BC is only part of the picture. In practice, many people receive less than their policy promises due to offsets, misapplied caps, tax errors, or insurer interpretations that don’t reflect real income.

If your LTD benefits were denied, reduced, delayed, or cut off, you have options to challenge the decision.

Get Help With a Denied LTD Claim in British Columbia

If your LTD claim was denied, early guidance can make a meaningful difference in how your case unfolds.

A short conversation with a long term disability lawyer in BC at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help you understand:

• why your claim was denied
• whether the insurer’s decision is defensible
• what steps can protect your benefits moving forward