Nobody can predict if or when they will develop a chronic illness, sustain a severe injury, or be diagnosed with a mental health disorder that leaves them unable to work. If you or someone you love finds themself in this situation, a long-term disability lawyer can help you file a long-term disability (LTD) claim.
These situations can be overwhelming, stressful, and difficult. Oftentimes, these situations cause individuals with a living disability to face some financial difficulties as they are unable to continue working either temporarily or on a long-term basis. If you are unable to work, you may be entitled to short-term disability or long-term disability benefits.
What is a Long-Term Disability Claim?
Disability insurance is there to protect you and your family from such unexpected circumstances. You can find more information on disability insurance and other sources of disability benefits here. If you or someone you love is unable to perform the day-to-day tasks of their job because of a medical condition, they may be able to collect short-term or long-term disability benefits.
Disability benefits may be the lifeline that you and your family needs during these difficult and unexpected times. Getting approved can be a difficult process, and oftentimes you may find your disability claim denied, delayed or reduced. Hiring a skilled attorney can help you navigate this difficult process.
We have put together 5 top qualities to look for if you are looking to hire a long-term disability lawyer to handle your claim. Below we will discuss the importance of hiring a lawyer who has experience, is empathetic, listens, has a great reputation, and is available to you.
Qualities to look for when hiring a long-term disability lawyer
You may be wondering what qualities to look for when you are searching for a lawyer. To narrow down your search, we have highlighted 5 key qualities to look out for.
- Experience
There are many different types of lawyers, and each lawyer typically specializes in specific areas of expertise. When you are looking to file an LTD claim, it is best to look for a lawyer who has experience in this area of law. In Canada, LTD claims differ across each province. Be sure to hire a lawyer that has experience working in your province and has a detailed understanding of these policies.If you are looking for a long-term disability lawyer in Ontario, contact us today to see how we can help you!
- Empathy
When you are unable to work due to an accident, illness, or disability, it can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, and unhappiness in your life. It may be one of the most difficult times in your life and hiring a lawyer who understands what you are going through during these uncertain times will offer some comfort. Finding a lawyer that understands this is personal to you and is empathic to your needs will create a sense of trust between the lawyer and the plaintiff. You will find that many personal and intimate details will be asked of you, and therefore it is that much more important for you to be comfortable with sharing these personal details with the lawyer who will be handling your case.
- Great Listener
During these difficult times, you may find that your friends, family, and coworkers do not truly understand what you are going through. The many feelings that come and go daily, the stress, and the anxiety may lead you to feeling lonely and overwhelmed. Oftentimes, you may find comfort in a lawyer who can listen to your story and all the details about your illness or disability. A lawyer who has excellent listening skills will likely also be the most effective in negotiating a desired outcome in your claim.
- Reputation
You should always be looking for a lawyer who has a strong reputation and someone who is known for getting top results. Look through ratings and reviews to get a good idea of the lawyer’s strengths, weaknesses, and character. A good place to start is Google Reviews. Look to see if other professionals such as other lawyers, doctors, health care professionals or past clients give referrals to the lawyer you may be considering working with.
- Availability and Personalized Service
Every case requires a different level of availability and services. The truth is that some high-volume firms may not be as devoted to your case if their objective is to bring in as many cases as possible. Many of these firms rely heavily on law clerks, junior lawyers, and students to keep up with all the cases coming through their door. When you first contact the law firm, make a note of who you are doing the first consultation with. Oftentimes, with larger law firms, your case will be passed off to someone else. Look for a lawyer who understands that your time is just as valuable. This means you are not waiting days or weeks to schedule an appointment with them. Look for a lawyer who offers a personal service, someone who gives you their personal phone number, and makes themselves available to you because they understand the hardship you are going through.
Ultimately, you want a long-term disability lawyer who will give you a high level of service from day one.
These are some of the top qualities that you should look for when seeking a lawyer for your LTD claim. Amongst many other qualities, you should always look for someone who has experience, is understanding, listens to your needs, has a great reputation, and provides a personal service.
INJURED?
