Manulife Long-Term Disability Claim Denial in Canada

Shattered hopes and empty pockets can collide when your Manulife long-term disability (LTD) claim gets denied in Canada. Your disability can be hard to manage, the income you thought you could depend on slips away, and a complex insurance and legal system becomes your reality. However, it’s important to remember that you have rights, you have options, and you have this guide to navigate the path back to your rightful benefits.

Unpacking the Manulife Denial

Let’s dissect what happens when your LTD claim goes south: Can they deny you benefits outright? Not quite. Insurers can only deny your claim if you are not genuinely incapacitated and unable to work for a significant period. Your doctor’s word is key here – if the documentation they provide doesn’t prove that work is impossible for you, Manulife might deny your claim.

So, why does Manulife deny claims? The can be many reasons:

• Medical Murk: Your medical records might not paint a clear picture of your disability’s severity or its impact on your job– think blurry x-rays and ambiguous diagnoses.
• Policy Nuances: Every policy has its hidden crevices, such as exclusions that can completely disqualify your claim. Pre-existing conditions, specific injuries, or even certain mental health diagnoses might become obstacles.
• Paperwork Peril: Sometimes, it’s not about the validity of your disability, but the paperwork. Missing forms, delayed communication, or a single misplaced comma can affect your claim in a negative way.

Remember, Manulife’s “no” doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. Their justifications may be flawed, information misconstrued, and decisions driven by bottom lines. Don’t let their profit margins overshadow your rightful need for benefits.

Next Steps After a Claim Denial

Did Manulife deny your LTD claim? Feeling frustrated and upset is valid, but don’t give up. Here are next steps you can take:

• Policy Prep: Decipher the clauses within your LTD coverage policy. Familiarize yourself with exclusions and the appeal process.
• Evidence Excavation: Compile every medical document, doctor’s note, and any other scrap of proof solidifying your disability and its work-halting impact.
• Appeal: Begin the internal appeal process. Craft a comprehensive document highlighting inconsistencies and cracks in Manulife’s denial. Let facts do the talking and allow logic to compel them to your side.

Beyond the Appeal

Insurers bask in a sweet spot: denying claims while you’re too weak to work. The appeal process can be a time-consuming process, waiting out the clock until your legal options fade. So, while appeals can be a step in the right direction, don’t get lulled into a false sense of security. Consider a more secure move: consulting a disability lawyer who can successfully litigate your claim. They can:

• Analyze your case: Identify vulnerabilities in Manulife’s denial, exposing the weak points in their position.
• Engineer a strong appeal: Craft the legal documents required to file the lawsuit while highlighting irrefutable facts with persuasive arguments.
• Advocate for you: Stand beside you if your appeal escalates through the litigation process, ensuring your rights are heard, respected, and defended.

Dealing with an insurer denying your long-term disability benefits can be overwhelming, to say the least. That’s why a good disability lawyer is critical, as they will understand how challenging it can be for you when you feel abandoned. Law firms with experienced LTD lawyers offer many benefits for anyone who’s been denied disability by Manulife, such as:

• Helping you understand your rights: Disability lawyers will review the details of your denial and provide you with an explanation of what your next steps should be. They can help you make informed decisions on what to do next and how filing a legal claim might be a viable option that could be beneficial.
• Dealing directly with Manulife: Disability lawyers can represent you directly, which means that they can help with stress and anxiety reduction through the whole process – and that includes communicating with Manulife directly. Now you can focus on your recovery instead of fielding phone calls, emails, and whatever else your insurer throws at you.
• Navigating the complexities of Canadian law: Disability lawyers are experienced in quickly and efficiently navigating Canadian law. They focus on helping their clients obtain the benefits they are entitled to without getting bogged down by bureaucratic red tape.
• Understanding how insurance companies operate: Disability lawyers often begin their careers working for large insurance companies like Manulife. They know all their tricks and their thought processes, which means they can see what’s coming and know how to deal with it effectively.

What Are Time Limits For Filing Appeals or Claims?

It’s your legal right to file a claim for compensation if Manulife denies your request for LTD benefits. However, there are time limits or limitation periods, and they may be different in each province: for instance, in Ontario, you have up to two years after your denial to file a lawsuit. This window of opportunity means you’ve got to act fast if you want to claim the money your disability insurance policy provides for you if you’ve become disabled and unable to work. However, there are some circumstances where you still have legal options even if that two-year window has closed. This is yet another reason to speak to an experienced disability lawyer.

The Time Warp of LTD Battles

How long will it take to address Manulife’s denial and win your benefits? Buckle up, because it’s a journey, not a sprint. Every case is unique, some more complex than others. Litigation can take months, but some cases can take years. Urgency is not always the best approach, especially if you are permanently disabled and require these benefits for the full policy period.

Cost? Forget It (Unless You Win)

Disability lawyers in Canada work on contingency fees, meaning their payment hinges on your victory. You won’t face upfront costs, just a percentage of your recovered benefits should you win.

Preszler Injury Lawyers: We can make a difference today!

If your LTD claim is denied by Manulife in Canada, there are disability lawyers standing by to help you. Long-term disability lawyers like Preszler Injury Lawyers know how to deal with insurers who deny disability claims.

At Preszler Injury Lawyers, your health and well-being our first and biggest priority. Don’t let your insurer walk off with the money you may be entitled to. Talk to a trusted disability lawyer at Preszler Injury Lawyers for a consultation to find out how they can help make a difference. Call us toll-free at 1-800-JUSTICE® or fill out our Case Evaluation form to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer today.