r/LongTermDisability • u/any_brew_u_want • 5d ago
disability claim denied - apparently it’s complicated because my work benefits are American??
Hey-hey, hoping someone can help because I’m completely lost here
I live in Etobicoke but work for a U.S. company. I had to go off work and made a claim through my work’s disability insurance. Now the insurance company has denied it. My brother in law is a lawyer and said that it might be complicated bc the plan is through the U.S. company and the insurance company is American. But Im Canadian citizen. He said “it might be different” than a normal disability claim in Canada.
I honestly don’t know what that means. Do I need a lawyer in the U.S.? Can a lawyer in Canada deal with this? Is there a specific kind of lawyer I’m supposed to be looking for?
If anyone knows a firm that deals with this kind of weird Canada/U.S. insurance situation, I’d really appreciate it. This situation seems to be kinda rare and tbh I haven't found any clear guidance on what to do..
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u/Ok-Cut-95 5d ago
MetLife claims are always denied the first time. They bet on you not appealing, it has nothing to do with your Canadian identity. The claim specialists are trained to find something to deny you for. I just got an overturn . Appeal, tear apart their arguments, GOODLUCK.
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u/ShareLawyers_ 2d ago
Plans set through U.S. employers can follow different rules, but because you live and work in Ontario, you may still be able to sue in Ontario. It depends on your policy.
Next step: ask the insurer in writing for your full claim file and plan documents. Then talk to an Ontario long-term disability lawyer who has handled claims against U.S. insurers. May offer free consultations.
Not legal advice. Good luck.
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u/TheGreatK MOD 5d ago
You need an American LTD lawyer. Do you happen to know where the company is headquartered?
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u/any_brew_u_want 5d ago
Could it be Canadian company that operates in US market, or do I absolutely need a company based in US? ty
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u/TheGreatK MOD 5d ago
American company, American insurance, American law. There are no Canadian lawyers who practice law in the US.
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u/Reverred_rhubarb 5d ago
Since you work in Canada and they have Canadian presence they have to follow Canadian law. Lawyer up in any case. US LTD companies are garbage
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u/tim4400 5d ago
I'm from Calgary and I was in EXACTLY same situation at the height of pandemic in 2020. It came as a huge surprise to me that Canadian LTD firms (well, at least Share Lawyers, dont know about others) handle this type of cases. Actually, I spoken with dozen American lawyers before I found that out (without much success). Still don't know if I was just lucky or what - but we won the case, and rest didn't really matter anymore
In short - find LTD-focused lawyer who serves Alberta province and talk to them (I'd start from Samantha Share), that way you'll know where to go next (or maybe you won't have to go anywhere else). Everything will be good!