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Total Disability: What Does That Mean in a Disability Claim?

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Total Disability: What Does That Mean in a Disability Claim?

Don’t delay discussing your matter with us to find out how to build a winning case.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

You don’t pay us unless we win your case. No Out of pocket expenses required.

Note: Your Privacy is Safe with us. We will never disclose your information to external parties.
What is Total Disability

In Ontario, long term disability policies can be a lifesaver for anyone suffering from significant injuries. These policies can be purchased privately but also frequently appear as workplace benefits. These policies are designed to pay you benefits if you sustain a severe illness or injury that keeps you from working for long periods of time.

These benefits come in the form of monthly benefit payments. For lesser injuries, these benefits are available until you are ready to return to work. However, some injuries are so severe that they are identified as a total disability.

Understanding Total Disability

Some disabilities will allow you to return to work in a limited capacity. These working disabilities could prevent you from working in your chosen line of work but would allow you to perform less physically demanding tasks.

The word “total” gives the impression that these benefits are only available if you are entirely unable to perform any task related to any job. This is not the case. The legal standard for an injury to be total does not take the word literally. A better way of looking at it is that your injuries are so severe that any attempt to return to work would hamper your ability to pursue management or a cure of your condition. In other words, it is not in your best interest medically to pursue employment.

What is Total Disability?

Unsure of what is total disability? Every long-term injury or illness is different. However, your insurance policy will provide you with detailed explanation of what makes a disability total. While there is no checklist used to identify these injuries, some common examples include:

  • Loss of vision
  • Loss of hearing
  • Loss of speech
  • Loss of hands, feet, or limbs
  • Paralysis

Ultimately, the language of your insurance policy will determine what results in a disability becoming total. If you have questions or concerns about being treated fairly throughout this process, you could benefit from discussing your options with an experienced lawyer. Insurance companies may try to take advantage of you during the claims process but working with a lawyer and understanding the specific language of your policy can go a long way in protecting your claim.

Terminated Claims of Total Disability in Ontario

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to receive disability benefits only to receive notice they are being terminated. Learning that your disability benefits were terminated can be especially difficult if your doctor has advised you not to return to work. This seemingly impossible situation is not hopeless, however. Termination of benefits for total disability in Ontario can be appealed.

To start, ensure the termination of your benefits is not a mistake or clerical error. The letter informing you of your termination could explain the reasons for your termination. In some cases, it is relatively simple to get your benefits back. Often, it is as simple as providing forms or other medical documents that had previously been requested.

In other cases, your insurance company may be unclear on what the problem is. They could cite documents or information not in your control, or they could simply claim they see no evidence that you are still disabled. In these cases, obtaining the guidance and counsel of a seasoned benefits lawyer could be the difference in getting the benefits you need and struggling to make ends meet. Returning to work early may seem like an easier solution but doing so could complicate your recovery.

Have you looked at your policy to see how it defines forms of disabilities? You might be surprised with what you see. Reading over the specific language of your policy and taking avantage of the knowledge of a disablility lawyer could go a long way towards avoiding being taken advantage of.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is a general guideline made available for educational purposes only and is not intended to be used as legal advice for the reader’s specific situation nor in general. By reading our blog and website content, the reader acknowledges the above and understands there is no lawyer-client relationship created between you and Himelfarb Proszanski through this content. To get specific legal advice, we encourage you to book a free consultation with one of our lawyers to clarify the legal aspects of your situation.

Timing is Critical. Help is Free.

Don’t delay discussing your matter with us to find out how to build a winning case.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

You don’t pay us unless we win your case. No Out of pocket expenses required.

Note: Your Privacy is Safe with us. We will never disclose your information to external parties.

Timing is Critical. Help is Free.

Don’t delay discussing your matter with us to find out how to build a winning case.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

You don’t pay us unless we win your case. No Out of pocket expenses required.

Note: Your Privacy is Safe with us. We will never disclose your information to external parties.

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What They Say About Us

Sherene Aly
16:02 23 Mar 24
I was very pleased with my decision to retain David and his team for my case. Melissa Gizzo was simply amazing and was able to secure a fair settlement for me.
T T
17:46 16 Feb 24
Experienced and excellent law firm. Their lawyers are wonderful, articulate, dilligent, amicable, calm, respectful, responsible, resourceful and have good human and customer relationships Especially DAN HOLLAND 👌 He is an amazing lawyer as regards dealing with any of the Accident case.I was involvedIn an accident in 2019 February. He was God sent as he dutifully and relentlessly worked hard until the case was settled
Liz
22:43 18 Jan 24
I highly recommend Dan Holland as a disability lawyer. His commitment to my case made the process seamless. Dan's clear communication and ability to simplify complex legal matters made it easy for me to understand every step. He demonstrated genuine concern for my best interests, making him not only a skilled attorney but also someone easy to talk to.Dan’s support extended beyond legal expertise; he alleviated my stress during the long-term disability case. His calm approach and unhurried demeanour ensured that there was no rush in our collaboration. This, coupled with his dedication, made the entire experience more manageable, fostering confidence in his ability to handle the case with meticulous care.I wholeheartedly endorse Dan for anyone seeking a lawyer who not only gets results but also prioritizes your peace of mind.
Neeshanth Sritharan
21:49 01 Jan 24
My mom was involved in an accident impacting her daily life and ability to work. Dan Holland has worked with us during the duration of our case and has been helpful in fighting for her and supporting us, and organizing the things we needed. Our family is incredibly grateful of the outcome Dan was able to obtain for us. I would highly recommend him!
Faiza Hamid
01:26 22 Dec 23
I'm so happy I chose Mena Brar and her team represet us . We could not ask for a better team she is so kind, loyal, and honest. she spoke to me as an equal and made me feel as if my case was definitely important and that I deserved to be fairly compensated. I appreciate you. Did it for me and how this will help me get back on track with my life. keep helping others. You are doing amazing works, Mena Brar. I wish you all the best.
Brenda Furtado
23:38 12 Dec 23
Many thanks to Silene Malhao for settling my husband's TORT claim and to Mena Brar for settling his accident benefits claim. These ladies made themselves available any time we had a question. They were very understanding and compassionate. We were completely taken care of throughout this process. We would definitely recommend this team to friends and family!
Shauna
15:52 06 Dec 23
We are so happy that we had David and his team represent us. We couldn't have asked for a better team. Not only is David incredibly skilled and experienced, he is kind and compassionate and it is clear how much he cares for his clients. Megan was also absolutely amazing to work with and was always on top of everything and there to answer any questions we had! Thank you!
Andrew Couto
23:10 21 Nov 23
I'm so happy I chose David as my lawyer. I spoke to a few lawyers before finding David and I noticed majority of them spoke to me in a way that felt demeaning or that my case wasn't big enough or important enough to take. One phone call with David and my opinion on lawyers changed. He spoke to me as an equal and made me feel as if my case was definitely important and that I deserved to be fairly compensated. The whole process was wonderful. From dealing with David's law clerk Ingrid whom is an amazing and kind woman to his legal assistant Melissa whom is another amazing kind and talented young woman. I was so stressed about this case but from day 1 they helped ease that stress and always answered all my questions promptly and respectfully. I couldn't believe David got me to mediation within 6 months of being cut off my LTD and got me a settlement way beyond my expectations. I can't say enough good things about this law firm but I guarantee you that if you need a lawyer to fight for you David is your guy! . Believe me when I say this is the law firm for anyone dealing with personal injuries especially LTD denial claims. Thank you so much to David, Ingrid and Melissa you truly don't know how much I appreciate all you did for me and how this will help me get back on track with my life. Keep helping others you guys are doing amazing work! I wish you all the best!
Rose Regazzi
21:15 11 Oct 23
I sustained a relatively painful injury, affecting me long term.I wouldn't otherwise had pursued it, as it involved a relatively large corporation, but felt it necessary to do so. However, many lawyers were daunted, with one, who actually referred me to HIMPRO.I was connected with Dan Holland, who reviewed the case, provided with me realistic expectations, sound advice and had a willingness to move forward and represent me.His calm and professional demeanor, brought me to a place of reassurance. His ease in addressing all facets of this process, clearly demonstrated a wealth of experience. There was never any hesitation, when being challenged, and felt my best interest was always in the forefront.This case has since been resolved, to my complete satisfaction.Without reservation, HIMPRO (and Dan Holland, in particular), would be the only firm I would recommend for these type of cases.
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HIMPRO is a leading law firm with full service personal injury and disability insurance lawyers. We have been recognized by Best Lawyers and assigned the highest rating, AV Preeminent, from Martindale-Hubbell. We provide a combined century of trial experience which has led to the successful settlement of over 10,000 cases with combined settlement value in excess of 3/4 billion dollars. Our mission is to win your case. At HIMPRO by Himelfarb Proszanski we build winning cases. That’s the HIMPRO Advantage™.

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LOCATION

Toronto Disability Lawyers
480 University Ave
Suite 1401
Toronto ON
M5G 1V2
(416) 599-8080

Brampton Disability Lawyers
2 County Ct Blvd
Suite 400
Brampton ON
L6W 3W8
(905) 595-6760

Hamilton Disability Lawyers
1 Hunter St E
Ground Floor
Hamilton ON
L8N 3W1
(905) 777-8002

Kitchener Disability Lawyers
22 Frederick St
7th Floor
Kitchener ON
N2H 6M6
(519) 772-7659

Oshawa Disability Lawyers
21 Simcoe St S
Oshawa ON
L1H 4G1
(289) 634-5554

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