A Clear Process for Reviewing Denied or Terminated Disability Claims

After you submit the form, a member of the intake team will call by phone within one business day. Submissions received on weekends or holidays are also handled within one business day. The initial call is free and is generally used to confirm basic information and arrange a later consultation.

The intake team may confirm your name and contact information, the insurer, whether benefits were denied or terminated, approximate timing, whether a denial or termination letter exists, and basic information needed to arrange the consultation.

After the initial intake call, a separate free consultation may be scheduled to gather more information about the claim and determine whether the firm may be able to assist.

The consultation may cover what happened to the claim, whether benefits were denied or terminated, the claimant’s occupation and work duties, medical or functional concerns relevant to the claim, the insurer’s stated reasons, appeal or litigation history, and relevant timing concerns. Timing concerns may be identified for further review.

The documents needed depend on the circumstances of the claim. You do not need to collect every medical record before contacting the firm.

Initial documents may include a denial or termination letter, the disability policy or benefits booklet, relevant employment or occupational information, appeal letters, and other insurer correspondence. Medical records are generally requested later, where needed.

These documents may help the firm understand the insurer’s position, the applicable policy definition, the claimant’s occupation and duties, the procedural history, and what additional evidence may be required. Not every listed document is required in every matter.

After the consultation and review of the available information, a lawyer assesses whether the firm can offer representation.

A lawyer reviews every potential matter before the firm accepts it. Review generally occurs after the consultation and available initial documents. The lawyer may consider policy wording, insurer correspondence, medical and functional issues, occupational information, timing, available evidence and anticipated scope of work. No acceptance-decision timeline is guaranteed, and not every inquiry will be accepted.

If accepted, the client receives the applicable retainer agreement, contingency-fee agreement, or both. The agreement can be reviewed before signing. Representation begins only after the firm accepts the matter and the required written agreement is signed.

Submitting a form or participating in an initial consultation does not create a solicitor-client relationship. The firm must first accept the matter, and the applicable written agreement must be signed before representation begins.

Once retained, the firm reviews the policy, the insurer’s decision and the available evidence. Depending on the circumstances, the next steps may include obtaining further medical or occupational evidence, communicating with the insurer, pursuing an appeal or reconsideration, negotiating a resolution, or starting litigation.

The firm may review the policy and endorsements, review denial or termination reasoning, request medical records, request occupational or financial information, assess medical, functional, occupational or financial evidence, contact the insurer, obtain additional evidence, consider an appeal or reconsideration, negotiate, or commence legal proceedings where appropriate.

We look for opportunities to resolve disputes efficiently, while preparing each matter with the possibility of litigation in mind.

During the matter, clients may communicate with lawyers, law clerks and assistants. The firm will contact the client when important decisions or developments arise and may request additional documents or information as the claim progresses.

Legal advice is provided by Ontario-licensed lawyers. Law clerks and assistants may assist with communications, documents and administration. Clients may need to provide updated medical, occupational or financial information, and may need to review settlement or procedural decisions.

The time required to resolve a disability claim depends on the insurer, the available evidence, the issues in dispute and whether litigation is necessary. The firm looks for opportunities to resolve matters efficiently, while preparing for litigation where required. No outcome or timeline can be guaranteed.

Timing may depend on obtaining records, medical or expert evidence, insurer review, appeal or reconsideration steps, negotiations, court scheduling, and the complexity of the policy and evidence.

No fee unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is up to 33% of the amount recovered, confirmed in writing before we begin work.

The initial intake call is free. The later consultation is free. Not every matter is accepted. If accepted, the exact arrangement is provided in writing, and the required agreement must be signed before representation begins.