What to Do If Your Long-Term Disability Claim Is Denied in Ontario

June 17, 2025, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Receiving a denial for your long-term disability (LTD) claim can be devastating—especially when you are genuinely unable to work due to injury or illness. If you're facing a denial in Ontario, it's important to understand your rights and the steps you can take to appeal the decision.

Common Reasons for LTD Denials

Insurance companies deny claims for several reasons, including:

• Lack of sufficient medical evidence
• Disagreement over the severity of your condition
• Missed deadlines or incomplete paperwork
• Surveillance or social media suggesting you’re more active than reported
• Claims that your condition does not meet the policy’s definition of “disability”

These reasons can feel frustrating and unfair, particularly when your medical team supports your inability to work.

How to Respond to a Denial

First, don’t panic—and don’t give up. You may have options, including internal appeals or legal action. Your next steps should include:

1. Requesting a copy of the insurer’s denial letter and claim file
2. Reviewing the policy to understand your entitlements
3. Gathering further medical documentation and opinions
4. Consulting a personal injury lawyer with experience in disability claims

At Deutschmann de Koning, we help clients understand why their claim was denied and work quickly to challenge unfair decisions.

Appealing a Denied Claim

You typically have two options:

• Internal Appeal: You submit additional evidence directly to the insurer for reconsideration. However, these appeals often lead to the same outcome.
• Legal Action: Filing a lawsuit may be necessary to force a proper review of your case. Insurers are more likely to settle or reverse decisions when facing legal pressure.

Our firm recommends early legal involvement to avoid delays and procedural missteps.

How We Help

Our lawyers understand the complexities of disability policies and how insurers evaluate claims. We:

• Analyze policy terms and conditions
• Gather strong medical and vocational evidence
• Manage correspondence and negotiations with the insurance company
• Represent you in court if necessary

We advocate tirelessly to get you the financial support you need and deserve.

You Don’t Have to Fight Alone

An LTD denial can place financial and emotional strain on you and your family—but there is help available. At Deutschmann de Koning Personal Injury Law, we’re committed to standing up for injured and disabled Ontarians.

Book your free consultation today. Let us review your case and outline a clear path forward.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.