Employers often offer short-term disability (STD) benefits as part of their group benefits package. These benefits provide income replacement almost immediately for employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury, either temporarily or for a longer duration. At Randy Ai Law Office, we specialize in helping employees navigate STD claims, including cases where benefits have been denied, delayed, or terminated. Our goal is to help you secure the benefits you are entitled to during your recovery.

‍

What Are Short-Term Disability Benefits?

Short-term disability benefits are designed to provide financial support when you're temporarily unable to work due to illness, injury, or other medical conditions. These benefits help replace a portion of your income and offer relief during critical recovery periods.

While short-term disability policies vary from one insurer to another, they are typically offered for a set period—often covering the period before long-term disability benefits become available. This period can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on your policy.

‍

How Much of My STD Benefit Will I Get?

The amount you can expect from short-term disability benefits largely depends on the terms of your individual policy. Most policies offer a benefit amount ranging from 50% to 100% of your weekly income.

It’s important to carefully review your STD policy to understand:

• How much you will receive each week
• How long you can receive benefits
• What medical evidence is required to continue receiving benefits, and how frequently this documentation needs to be updated
• Understanding these details will help ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements for ongoing benefits.

‍

What If My STD Application Was Denied?

If your short-term disability application was denied or your benefits were terminated, you should seek legal advice immediately. Insurance companies often deny claims for unjustified or misleading reasons. Common reasons for STD claim denials include:

• Insufficient medical evidence: Insurers may argue that the documentation you provided doesn't fully support your disability.
• Pre-existing conditions: Claims may be denied based on a condition you had before applying, even if it is not related to your current disability.
• Failure to meet policy definitions: Insurers may claim you don’t meet the exact definition of “disability” in your policy.
• Surveillance and social media monitoring: Insurers may try to use surveillance footage or social media evidence to undermine your claim.
• Independent medical examinations (IME): Insurance companies may use biased medical evaluations to minimize the impact of your disability.
• Missed deadlines or procedural issues: Even small errors in paperwork or missed deadlines can result in a denial.
• Pressure to return to work too soon: Insurers may push you to return to work before you’ve fully recovered, despite medical advice.

If you find yourself facing a denial or termination of your short-term disability benefits, you have legal options to challenge the decision and secure the benefits you need.

‍

‍How We Help Appeal Denied STD Claims

At Randy Ai Law Office, we take a proactive and aggressive approach to appealing STD claim denials. Our team will gather compelling medical and legal evidence to challenge your claim denial. Our services include:

• Comprehensive claim reviews: We analyze your denial letter, policy, and medical records to understand why your claim was denied and how we can strengthen your case.
• Filing strong STD disability appeals: We prepare detailed legal arguments and submit the necessary documentation to challenge the insurer’s decision.
• Negotiating with insurers: We advocate for a fair resolution and push back against wrongful denials to ensure you receive the benefits you're entitled to.
• Filing lawsuits: If necessary, we will take legal action against the insurer for bad faith, wrongful denial, or breach of contract to recover your benefits.
• Protecting your rights: We’ll guide you through the appeals process, ensuring all deadlines are met and your rights are safeguarded throughout the process.

‍

‍Who We Help

We help employees, professionals, and self-employed individuals whose short-term disability benefits have been denied, delayed, or terminated by insurance companies such as:

• Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Desjardins, RBC Insurance, Great-West Life, Blue Cross, Industrial Alliance, and more.

We also represent:

• Employees covered under group insurance plans provided by their employer.
• Self-employed individuals with private short-term disability policies.
• Workers facing a range of conditions such as:
  
  • Chronic pain
  • Depression, anxiety, and PTSD
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Heart disease
  • Neurological disorders
  • Surgery recovery or workplace injuries

‍

Why Choose Randy Ai Law Office for Your STD Denial Case?

• Expertise in Disability Law: We are recognized for our knowledge and success in handling disability law cases, including short-term disability claims.
• Proven Success: Our team has a strong track record of winning STD appeals and lawsuits, helping clients secure the benefits they deserve.
• No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case and recover your benefits.
• Strong Legal Representation: We fight aggressively to hold insurance companies accountable for their unfair practices.
• Personalized Legal Service: Every case is unique, and we tailor our approach to maximize the chances of a successful outcome.

‍

Take Action Now – Get the Disability Benefits You Deserve

If your short-term disability claim has been denied, delayed, or terminated, don't wait. You have the right to challenge the decision and get the benefits you need.

Contact Randy Ai Law Office today for a free consultation, and let us help you fight for the disability benefits you deserve.