Disability & Insurance Claims
Toronto Long-Term Disability Lawyersfor denied claims, “any occupation” disputes, and bad-faith terminations
Trusted by claimants across Ontario
Overview
Being unable to work is hard enough. Having LTD benefits cut off makes it impossible.
If your long-term disability claim has been denied, delayed, or terminated, our experienced Toronto long-term disability lawyers are ready to fight for the disability benefits you are contractually owed. At VC Lawyers, our dedicated team of disability lawyers represents individuals across Ontario whose legitimate long-term disability claims have been unfairly denied by insurance companies. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
Being unable to work due to a disability is devastating enough. Having your long-term disability benefits cut off by a multi-billion dollar insurance company makes an impossible situation worse. Our long-term disability lawyer team understands the tactics insurers use to deny and terminate disability claims — and we know exactly how to fight back. Whether your claim is denied under the “own occupation” or “any occupation” definition of disability, or your insurer is disputing the severity of your disability, our disability lawyers have the experience and resources to recover the disability benefit you deserve.
A long-term disability claim is a formal demand for income replacement under your group or individual disability insurance policy when an illness or injury prevents you from working. Long-term disability benefits are a contractual entitlement — you paid for this coverage through your employment benefits or private insurance premiums, and you have the right to receive those benefits when a qualifying disability prevents you from earning an income.
As of July 1, 2026, the interaction between Ontario's SABS Optionality changes and private long-term disability insurance has become more complex. If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, your LTD insurer may attempt to offset your accident benefits from your monthly disability benefit payment. Our Toronto long-term disability lawyers ensure these calculations are accurate and that you are not being underpaid by either insurer.
Contact our Toronto long-term disability lawyers today for a free consultation. Available 24/7.
Two definitions
Own occupation vs. any occupation
Understanding your long-term disability claim requires understanding your specific policy's definition of disability. Many long-term disability policies apply two different standards depending on how long you have been on claim.
Own Occupation definition
During the initial period of a claim (typically the first 24 months), the policy covers you if your illness or injury prevents you from performing the essential duties of your own specific occupation.Any Occupation definition
After 24 months, many long-term disability policies shift to an “any occupation” standard — meaning your long-term disability benefits continue only if you are unable to perform any job for which you are reasonably suited by education, training, or experience. This policy's definition of disability transition is one of the most common reasons insurance companies terminate long-term disability benefits — and one of the most contested issues our long-term disability lawyer team handles.
Qualifying conditions
What conditions qualify for LTD
To qualify for long-term disability benefits, you must demonstrate that your illness or injury prevents you from working under the applicable definition of disability in your policy. The answer depends on the severity of your disability and the specific terms of your coverage.
Chronic pain and fibromyalgia
Conditions that insurance companies frequently attempt to dismiss as subjective or unverifiable.Mental health conditions
Including severe depression, anxiety disorders, burnout, and PTSD. Our long-term disability lawyer team has extensive experience litigating mental health disability claims that insurers initially deny as “unproven” or “subjective.”Neurological conditions
Including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and acquired brain injuries that affect a claimant's ability to work due to a disability.Cancer and serious physical illness
Where treatment side effects prevent the claimant from performing employment duties.Musculoskeletal injuries
Chronic back injuries, spinal conditions, and joint disorders causing lasting functional limitations.Cardiovascular and respiratory conditions
Heart disease, COPD, and other conditions that severely limit a claimant's capacity to work.
Where we work
Service areas
VC Lawyers serves clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Newmarket, and Aurora. We also represent clients across Ontario through video consultations and home/hospital visits when needed.
Languages spoken at the firm include English, Korean (한국어), Hebrew, Mandarin, and others depending on lawyer assignment.
Our office is located at 1110 Finch Avenue West, Suite 310, in North York, with parking and TTC access (Finch West subway and bus connections).
Take the next step
LTD benefits denied? Don't accept the decision without a fight.
Related practice areas
Continue exploring
Disability & Insurance Claims
Return to the disability claims hub.
Short-Term Disability
STD denials and transitions to long-term disability.
CPP Disability
Federal CPP-D applications and offset coordination.
Critical Illness
Critical illness insurance denials.
Insurance Denial
Bad-faith insurance handling and the broader denial framework.