Disability Law Show: Alberta & BC – S2 E10

Episode Summary

What should you know when applying for LTD? Disability lawyer Martin Willemse at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, answers this question and more on the Disability Law Show on 980 CKNW in Vancouver, 770 CHQR in Calgary and 630 CHED in Edmonton.

Listen below to discover important information about your rights and a guide through the proper steps to take when your insurance provider cuts off your long-term disability or denies your insurance claim.

Whether you need a BC disability lawyer or disability lawyers in Alberta, Martin and his team can get you the advice you need, and the compensation you deserve.

Listen to the Episode

Show Notes

• Denied disability benefits due to inappropriate treatment: Most disability policies require claimants to seek appropriate treatment and pursue recovery. It is important in the event of a denial, to ensure all terms and provisions outlined in a policy are comprehensible. Claimants are within their rights to request a copy of their disability policy from their insurer.
• Regular medical appointments: A disability policy requires a claimant to prove they have a disability from working. A policy can also request claimants attend regular check-ups with a medical professional. The support of a treating doctor is imperative in receiving approval for disability benefits. Regular visits to a treating physician strengthen an LTD claim in the event of a denial or cut-off from benefits.
• Surveillance by insurance adjuster: Claimants should continue to follow the advice of their treating medical team and be honest about their condition. Insurance adjusters are within their rights to hire an investigator to surveil claimants. Adjusters are unable to access the private communication of a claimant or enter their private property. Claimants that are honest about their condition should not worry about potential surveillance.
• Failed return to work plan: A return to work after disability leave should only occur with the approval of a doctor. Claimants that return to work before they are ready to do so risk regression in recovery. Some individuals attempt a return to work but are not able to return to full-time hours or without restrictions. Many disability policies have rehabilitation provisions that adjust a claim based on what a claimant is able to do.