Short-Term Disability Lawyer Ontario

Short-Term Disability Claim Denied in Ontario? We’re Here to Help.

If your short-term disability (STD) benefits have been denied, terminated, or challenged by an insurance company, you may have options beyond what your insurer has provided. 

At Roberts & Obradovic Law, we help employees across Ontario navigate short-term disability disputes and protect your rights when insurers deny, delay, or terminate your benefits. Whether your claim was denied outright, terminated early, or you are under pressure to return to work before you are medically ready, our team is here to help.

You should not have to fight an insurance company for what you are owed while also managing a medical condition. Book your free consultation with our Ontario Short-Term Disability lawyers today.

Why Choose Us For Your Short-Term Disability Claim?

• No upfront fees. We work on a no-win, no-pay basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we successfully recover benefits or compensation for you.
• We represent employees only, never insurers or employers. Our loyalty is always to the individuals we represent. We understand the stress that comes with a short-term disability denial, and we are committed to protecting your rights and getting you the benefits you are entitled to.
• We know the insurance companies’ tactics and how to counter them. Insurers like Canada Life, Manulife, or Sun Life often rely on strict policy interpretations and lengthy internal appeal processes when challenging disability claims. To fight against their denial, we build a strong, litigation-ready legal strategy to challenge unfair decisions and maximize your success.
• We take a personalized approach. No two disability claims are the same, and we take the time to understand your unique situation. We develop a personalized strategy, fighting for what is best for you and your disability.

Short-Term Disability Claims We Handle

If your benefits have been denied, terminated, or unfairly challenged by your insurer, we can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Our team has extensive experience handling short-term disability disputes, including:

Disability Conditions

• Mental health and invisible disability claims, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and migraines
• Autoimmune and neurological conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), concussions, traumatic brain injuries, narcolepsy, endometriosis, and lupus
• Physical injuries and medical conditions, such as fractures, severe sprains, torn tendons or ligaments, cancer and treatment-related complications, and surgical recoveries

Claim Disputes

• Denied short-term disability claims, including allegations of insufficient medical evidence, disagreements about whether you meet the disability requirements under your benefits plan, or claims that you can perform modified duties
• Benefits terminated early, where your insurer may cut off approved benefits despite ongoing medical evidence supporting your inability to work
• Pressure to return to work before you are medically ready, including disputes regarding return-to-work plans, modified duties, or allegations that you can resume your regular employment
• Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs), where your insurer requests a neutral party’s medical opinion to deny, terminate, or limit your benefits
• Unreasonable delays and unfair claim handling by your insurance company

Eligibility for STD benefits often depends less on the diagnosis itself, and more on how your condition affects your ability to perform the essential duties of your job. The amount of coverage you receive depends on your plan and policy wording.

If your situation is not listed above, you may still be entitled to benefits or compensation. Book your free consultation with our Ontario Short-Term Disability lawyers today and learn how we can help.

How Our Short-Term Disability Lawyers Help You

At Roberts & Obradovic, we believe that informed clients make better decisions about their disability claim. Our priority is to help you understand your disability claim, explore your options, and advocate for your rights throughout the process.

1. Start With a Free Consultation

Our free, no-obligation consultation is the best way to fully understand the circumstances surrounding your claim. We will explain your rights, answer your questions, and help you determine the best course of action. You don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.

2. Construct a Strong Strategy for Your Claim

Every disability claim is unique, and we treat it as such. Our team carefully reviews your denial or termination letter, disability policy, and medical records. We use these to determine weaknesses in your insurer’s position, and build a personalized legal strategy aimed at recovering your benefits or securing fair compensation.

3. Let Us Handle the Insurance Company for You

Dealing with an STD dispute while managing a medical condition can be overwhelming. We handle all the communication and negotiation with the insurer on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your well-being. We keep you informed and up-to-date throughout every stage of the process.

4. Strive for the Best Possible Outcome

Whether your claim can be resolved through negotiation or requires legal action, we take the necessary steps to protect your rights and advance your STD claim. Our experienced legal team is well-versed in short-term disability disputes and will work diligently to help you receive the benefits or compensation you are entitled to.

Short-term disability disputes can be subject to strict deadlines and limitation periods. Wait too long to seek legal advice, and you can lose the right to claim your benefits at all. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights. Book your free consultation with our Ontario STD lawyers today.

Understanding Short-Term Disability Benefits in Ontario

Short-term disability (STD) benefits are typically provided through your employer’s group benefits plan and are intended to replace a portion of your income while you are temporarily unable to work. The amount of compensation you receive, the length of coverage, and the eligibility requirements all depend on the terms of your specific policy.

You may be entitled to STD benefits if you are unable to work because of an illness, injury, or disability. However, insurers sometimes deny, delay, or terminate legitimate claims, preventing you from receiving benefits you may be entitled to. Understanding how STD benefits work is the first step toward protecting your rights.

1. Confirm Your STD Coverage — Review your employee benefits booklet or speak with your employer to understand your short-term disability coverage and whether you qualify for benefits.
2. Visit Your Doctor for Medical Support — Your medical records play a critical role in your eligibility for claiming STD benefits. To build the strongest case, include the following:
   • Diagnosis or description of your medical condition, including your symptoms and their severity
   • Functional limitations that prevent you from performing your job duties
   • Your treatment plan and expected recovery
   • Medical opinions regarding your ability to return to work
3. Complete and Submit Your Claim — Fill out all the required forms provided by your employer or insurer, and submit them alongside your medical documents. Be sure to keep a copy of everything you send.

If your claim is denied, delayed, or terminated, you still have options. Insurers often rely on strict adherence to the policy wording when denying a short-term disability claim. This may result in disputes over whether you meet the policy’s definition of disability or claims that your medical evidence is insufficient. A denial does not mean you are not entitled to STD benefits, and can be challenged with the help of a lawyer.

What Happens When Short-Term Disability Ends?

Short-term disability benefits often act as a bridge to long-term disability (LTD) benefits when a medical condition prevents you from returning to work. If you anticipate your disability will continue to interfere with your ability to work, you may need to begin the LTD application process before your STD benefits end.

Issues can arise if your insurer terminates your STD benefits early, delays the transition to LTD benefits, or uses the same reasoning to deny both STD and LTD claims. To strengthen your claim, it is important to establish clear and descriptive medical evidence from the beginning of your disability claim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Short-Term Disability Claims

Don’t see an answer to your question? We’re happy to help. Book your free consultation with our Ontario Short-Term Disability lawyers today.