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Long-term disability (LTD) insurance offers income protection when you are unable to work because of a significant illness or injury. It typically replaces a portion of your income for an extended period, often until you recover or reach retirement age. LTD benefits are designed to help you maintain financial stability while focusing on your health.

To qualify, you must meet the definition of “disabled” outlined in your insurance policy. This usually means proving that you cannot perform the essential duties of your job due to a medical condition. After a certain period, some policies require you to show that you cannot work in any occupation for which you are reasonably suited by education, training, or experience.

Most policies cover a wide range of conditions, including physical injuries, chronic illnesses, and mental health disorders. Common examples include back injuries, cancer, heart disease, depression, and anxiety. Coverage depends on the terms of your policy, so it is important to review your plan carefully.

The timeline varies. After filing a claim, the insurance company will review your medical records and other documentation. This review period may last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. If your claim is approved, benefits usually begin after the waiting period specified in your policy, often 90 to 120 days.

If your claim is denied, do not panic. Many legitimate claims are initially rejected. You have the right to appeal the decision. Start by carefully reviewing the denial letter to understand why your claim was refused. Next, collect additional medical documentation to strengthen your case and submit a detailed appeal. Partnering with a knowledgeable long-term disability lawyer can greatly increase your chances of a successful outcome.

This depends on your policy. Some plans allow you to work in a limited capacity and still receive partial benefits. Others may reduce or stop payments if you earn income. Always check your policy terms before returning to work to avoid jeopardizing your benefits.

A personal injury law firm can guide you through the complex claims process, ensure your paperwork is complete, and advocate for you if your claim is denied. They have in-depth knowledge of how insurance companies work and can safeguard your rights throughout the process. Having legal representation often leads to faster resolutions and better outcomes.

Strong medical documentation is essential. This includes detailed reports from your doctors, test results, and treatment plans. You may also need statements from your employer about your job duties and how your condition affects your ability to work. The more detailed and complete your documentation is, the stronger your claim will be.

Benefits typically continue until you recover, reach the maximum benefit period stated in your policy, or turn 65. Some policies provide coverage for two years under the “own occupation” definition and then switch to an “any occupation” standard, which can make qualifying more difficult.

If your health declines, notify your insurer immediately and provide updated medical records. This can help ensure your benefits continue without interruption. If your insurer challenges your eligibility, a personal injury law firm can help you respond effectively.

Seek medical attention immediately, document the scene, and consult a lawyer to understand your legal rights.

A lawyer can help you gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and represent you in court if necessary.

You may be eligible for reimbursement for medical costs, lost income, emotional suffering, and property damage.

In Ontario, personal injury claims generally must be filed within two years of the accident. Acting quickly is vital.

Many cases are resolved through settlements. However, if negotiations fail, we are fully prepared to represent you in court.

Ontario follows a “contributory negligence” model, meaning you may still be entitled to compensation even if you were partly at fault. The amount awarded may be reduced based on your level of responsibility.

Yes. Accidents on private property can still lead to valid claims, especially if negligence—such as poor maintenance or lack of warning signs—played a role. A lawyer can help determine liability and build your case.

Long-term disability insurance offers financial assistance to those who are unable to work due to a significant illness or injury. This insurance typically covers a portion of your income for an extended period, helping you manage living expenses during your recovery.

Qualification for long-term disability benefits usually depends on the specific terms of your policy, including your medical condition, the duration of your inability to work, and any required documentation from healthcare providers. It’s advisable to review your policy details and consult with a legal expert to understand your eligibility.

If your application is rejected, start by carefully examining the denial notice to understand the rationale behind the decision. You may have the option to appeal the denial. Consulting with a long-term disability lawyer can help you navigate the appeal process and improve your chances of a successful outcome.

The processing time for a long-term disability claim can vary significantly based on the insurance company and the complexity of your case. On average, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Staying in communication with your insurer and providing all necessary documentation can help expedite the process.

Many long-term disability policies allow for partial work while receiving benefits, but this often depends on the specifics of your policy. To prevent any complications with your benefits, it's important to notify your insurer about any employment you take on.

If your claim is turned down, you have the option to challenge the decision. This process typically involves providing further documentation or evidence to support your case. It is often beneficial to seek the assistance of a lawyer experienced in long-term disability cases to strengthen your appeal.

Common reasons for claim denials include insufficient medical evidence, failure to meet the policy’s definition of disability, missed deadlines for filing, and lack of compliance with treatment recommendations. Recognizing these factors can help you build a more compelling claim or appeal.

Yes, most long-term disability policies have specific time limits for filing a claim. It is essential to review your policy and file your claim as soon as possible to ensure that you do not miss any deadlines.

A long-term disability lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in navigating the complexities of your claim. They can help you understand your rights, gather necessary documentation, appeal denied claims, and represent you in negotiations with your insurance company.

Littlejohn Barristers, an established Personal Injury Law Firm in Barrie, Ontario, is looking to hire a Law Clerk Graduate with 0-4 years experience for an exciting opportunity working in a growing law firm with plenty of room for development and learning. We take great pride in providing a solid work-life balance. Our compensation is competitive and we would appreciate the opportunity to match or exceed any legitimate salary offer(s) received from another employer(s) by any successful candidate.

Our firm’s practice is restricted to handling only serious personal injury lawsuits, including motor vehicle accidents, occupier’s liability, and long-term disability claims.

The successful candidate(s) will be working closely with counsel on all aspects of a file, including drafting correspondence, producing documents, managing undertakings, contacting clients, scheduling mediations and Pre- Trials, etc. The ideal candidate(s) will have a strong attention to detail, organizational skills, ability to work well independently and as the member of a team, and desire for a high level of responsibility in a fast paced environment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• We are looking for a qualified, reliable, trustworthy person with a strong work ethic, who is prepared to work in a team environment.

• The ability to multi-task and allocate time wisely is an asset.

• Must have access to a vehicle on a daily basis.

• Only candidates with a Law Clerk Diploma will be considered at this time.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Law clerk diploma

• Recent graduate

• Must be available to work overtime when needed, particularly during every trial season

• It is mandatory to have a reliable vehicle, possess a valid Ontario driver’s license and a valid auto insurance policy on a daily basis

Littlejohn Barristers, an established Personal Injury Law Firm in Barrie, Ontario, is looking to hire a lawyer. Our firm’s practice is restricted to handling only serious personal injury lawsuits, including motor vehicle accidents, occupier’s liability, and long-term disability claims.

We offer excellent mentoring opportunities as well as the opportunity to build a practice and sound client base in a growing community. We take great pride in providing a solid work-life balance. Our compensation is competitive and we would appreciate the opportunity to match or exceed any legitimate salary offer(s) received from another employer(s) by any successful candidate.

The ideal candidate should have a demonstrated passion for advocacy, good client skills, and a desire to work hard to contribute to a growing law firm. The ideal candidate should also have experience attending at uncontested and contested motions as well as Examinations for Discovery.

Please submit a cover letter and résumé via “Apply Now” form.

2024 Summer Student Position - this position has been filled. Please come back in the 2025 season.

Littlejohn Barristers Personal Injury Law Firm, located in Barrie, Ontario, is looking to hire a first or second year law student for the upcoming summer with the opportunity thereafter to work part-time during the school year. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated passion for advocacy and desire to work hard to contribute to a growing law firm. The candidate must be available to work full-time hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm.

The candidate must reside locally in the Simcoe County Area or be willing to relocate.

Proof of a valid Ontario Driver’s Licence, current automobile insurance, and access to a reliable vehicle on a daily basis will be required at the interview as the successful candidate may be requested to attend at the Court House or other locations on very short notice.

This position represents a great opportunity to learn about Personal Injury Litigation from the ground up and gain experience within the field of Litigation Law.

Duties would be assigned as necessity dictates.

Testimonial from a previous summer student:

My summer with Littlejohn Barristers was everything I could have asked for. Everyone at Littlejohn Barristers was extremely welcoming and professional. From the jump I was able to gain practical litigation experience by working on both Statutory Accident Benefit claims and tort disputes. As part of the collegial team at Littlejohn Barrister I was immediately involved in significant legal research and gained hands on experience in all aspects of personal injury law, including correspondence to defence counsel and clients, the gathering and production of undertakings, and the preparation of Affidavits of Documents and their corresponding Schedule A documents in advance of discovery.

As the summer progressed, I was able to work with senior lawyers in the firm on research memos and Factums for Motions to Disclose Undertakings, Under Advisements and Refusals, gaining practical legal experience and learning how to improve my written and oral advocacy skills. If you are interested in building a career in litigation Littlejohn Barristers provides unmatched training and guidance.

- Jason Corry

A mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a head injury that temporarily affects the functioning of the brain. Brain injuries come in three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. Most brain injuries fit into the “mild” category.

An mTBI is also often called a concussion. People often think of concussions rather casually, but they are brain injuries and should be treated as such. Any disruption to your brain at all must be taken seriously.

Every person will experience different symptoms, with severity depending on the area of the brain affected and the individual in question. These symptoms can be placed into three different categories:

1. Physical – this includes headaches, ringing in the ears, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, or blurred vision.

2. Cognitive – difficulty with things such as attention, concentration, memory, information processing, reasoning, or planning.

3. Emotional – you may suffer from irritability, mood swings, depression, or anxiety.

A brain injury is a brain injury, even if it is relatively “mild”.There’s nothing “mild” about a concussion – even minor bumps to the head can have long-lasting effects and persistent symptoms.

If you have suffered an mTBI, you should seek treatment as soon as possible, even if you did not lose consciousness.

The best thing you can do for them is to remain patient. Take time to learn more about mTBIs and the challenges they may be facing. You may notice that they are a new person and you should take the time to get to know them.

You can help them with their daily life by helping them set realistic goals and make strategies for meeting them. Separating tasks into smaller, more achievable ones, develop routines and structure the day using external cues such as alarms.

If you are talking to them, make sure you have their full attention or else they may miss what you are saying.

Treatment for an mTBI can involve many different professionals, such as your family doctor, a physiotherapist, a neuropsychologist, a case manager, a lawyer, an occupational therapist, and more. You should seek out those who are trained in mTBIs, as not every healthcare professional will be.

It can feel overwhelming at first. Start with someone who is experienced in mTBIs and work from there.

Everyone’s needs are different. Your best route is to seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer who specializes in mTBIs.

You generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to start a legal action against the at-fault driver. However, there are other important deadlines to be aware of. You have:

• 30 days to submit an Application for Accident Benefits

• 10 days to provide medical records to insurance companies

• 30 days to submit updated Disability Certificates (OCF-3) from your doctor to your insurance company

A car accident lawyer can help ensure you meet all necessary deadlines.

When a personal injury lawyer works on a contingency fee basis for motor vehicle claims, the claimant (you) do not pay legal fees until your case is settled. At Littlejohn Barristers, our maximum contingency fee for new clients is 30% of the amount recovered through a settlement. If your case proceeds to a Trial, our maximum percentage is 35% of the amount recovered or the total amount awarded for costs, whichever is higher.

A personal injury lawyer can help you identify all the potential areas of compensation, the main ones include:

medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket expenses.

To protect your health and that of all those involved, it is important to ensure safety and seek medical attention if needed. Also, to preserve evidence, strengthen your legal position, and meet legal requirements, you should:

• report the accident to the police

• exchange information with the other driver

• document the scene and gather witness information

• notify your insurance company within 7 days

• consider consulting a personal injury lawyer for advice on your motor vehicle claim

Remember, a qualified car accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in navigating the complexities of motor vehicle claims in Ontario. In Barrie, Collingwood, Midland, or Innisfil, contact Littlejohn Barristers at 705-725-7355 for help with motor vehicle claims after a car accident.

Ontario's no-fault insurance system allows accident victims to seek compensation through two avenues:

• Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) claim with your own insurance company

• Tort claim (lawsuit) against the at-fault party

Fault is determined by reviewing statements from all parties involved, witness accounts, police reports, dashcam videos, pictures, and diagrams. Insurance companies follow Fault Determination Rules set by the relevant jurisdiction. In Ontario, this is the Ontario Fault Determination Rules (FDR)

Yes, you must report any incidents involving drivers or vehicles listed on your policy to your insurance company. Many policies stipulate that it is to be done within 48-72 hours of the accident.

There are laws in Ontario that put limits on how much money a person can receive for minor injuries. The rules change slightly each year and can be difficult to understand. However, a personal injury lawyer or car accident lawyer can help you navigate them.

Discovery examinations occur after pleadings have been filed and served, and relevant documents have been exchanged. They allow lawyers to question the opposing party under oath about the case. For car accidents, questions may cover topics such as the events leading to the accident, injuries sustained, and treatment received.

Personal injury law deals with legal disputes arising when someone suffers injury or harm as the result of an accident for which another party may be legally responsible.

Personal injury lawyers can navigate complex legal processes, negotiate with insurance companies, and potentially secure better compensation for you than if you deal directly with insurers.

After an accident in Ontario, you can file an insurance claim, seek compensation through small claims court, or file a lawsuit with the help of an injury law firm.

There is no standard formula for determining settlements. They are based on the severity of your injury, impact on your quality of life, economic losses, and future care needs.

You have rights to medical treatment, rehabilitation, income replacement, and other coverages under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule regardless of who was at fault.