Bridgewater Long Term Disability Lawyers

If you live in Bridgewater or anywhere in Lunenburg County and are struggling with denied or terminated long term disability (LTD) benefits, NOVA Injury Law is here to help. LTD benefits are meant to provide security when illness, injury, or mental health conditions prevent you from working. Unfortunately, many Nova Scotians face unfair denials, delays, or cut-offs from their insurers. Our LTD lawyers fight to protect your rights and secure the benefits you need.

We are proud to be known as The Doctor-Lawyer Law Firm™. With a physician on our team, every LTD claim we handle is built on strong medical evidence. This unique advantage helps us challenge insurance companies effectively and deliver better results for our clients.

Check out our founder Jeff Mitchell’s story of how NOVA started
Meet our incredible lawyers.
Learn why NOVA Injury Law is known as The Doctor-Lawyer Law Firm™.
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What Sets NOVA Injury Law Apart?

We’re one of the only injury firms with our own in-house physician to help you create a bullet-proof case.
We offer free consultations with no obligation.
Technology allows us to easily communicate with clients anywhere, from small towns to large cities. However, if you prefer in-person consults, we proudly offer complimentary house-calls anywhere in Halifax or Nova Scotia.

Our payment is contingent on winning your case (no win, no fee), so you can focus on recovery.

Other Cases We Handle

Besides Bedford LTD claims, our team at NOVA represents all kinds of personal injury cases, including:

What Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance Covers

Long-term disability (LTD) insurance provides income replacement when an injury or medical condition stops you from working for an extended period. Most policies pay a portion of your regular earnings, usually around 60% to 70%, so you can continue covering everyday expenses while focusing on recovery.

Typically, LTD benefits begin after short-term disability (STD) ends. Many employers offer STD coverage for the first 3 to 6 months following your injury or illness. Once that period passes, LTD coverage takes over and can continue for several years or up to age 65, depending on the terms of your policy.

In short, LTD insurance is designed to provide financial security when you can’t work long-term, helping you maintain stability while navigating treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. Understanding your policy’s timelines and definitions early on ensures you don’t miss out on the support you’re entitled to.

Get more details in these articles:

Most long-term disability (LTD) coverage comes through group benefit plans offered by employers, although some individuals purchase private LTD policies on their own. These policies are private contracts, which means they operate separately from government programs like the Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) or Workers’ Compensation. Under an LTD policy, you pay premiums, usually through payroll deductions or an employer-sponsored plan, and in return, the insurer agrees to pay monthly benefits if you become totally disabled as defined by the policy. The definition of disability, waiting period, and benefit duration all vary, which makes understanding your specific policy essential. Our Bedford LTD lawyers can review your policy in detail to explain what coverage applies, how much you should be receiving, and how long those payments should continue. We help ensure that your insurer honours its obligations and that you get every dollar you’re entitled to under your plan.

How to Qualify for Long-Term Disability Benefits

To receive long-term disability (LTD) benefits, your file must show that a health condition prevents you from doing the essential duties of your regular work (and, after the policy’s changeover, any work you’re reasonably suited for). The strongest applications pair clear medical proof with evidence of how your symptoms limit real-world work capacity.

Core proof the insurer expects (keep these in your file):

Doctor’s reports and clinical notes that set out your diagnoses and day-to-day functional limits
Specialist reports (e.g., orthopaedics, neurology, psychology/psychiatry) tying clinical findings to work restrictions
Treatment and rehabilitation documentation such as prescriptions, therapy attendance, progress summaries, side effects
Diagnostic test results (MRI/CT/X-ray, labs, neuropsych testing, sleep studies) that confirm your condition

Both physical and mental health conditions can meet LTD requirements when well-documented. Examples include persistent pain syndromes, post-concussion symptoms, autoimmune disease, cancer and treatment after-effects, cardiorespiratory illness, migraines, and neurological disorders. Mental health conditions (e.g. major depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, or bipolar disorder) can also qualify when symptoms materially reduce reliability, pace, or tolerance for work. “Invisible” conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or long COVID are viable claims when clinicians link symptoms to concrete functional limits.

(Get tips on presenting the impact of LTD on your life here: How to Present the Impact of Disability on Your Life)

Insurance companies often reject claims by saying your medical proof doesn’t meet their definition of “total disability.” That’s why clear, detailed documentation is critical. At NOVA Injury Law, we work directly with you and your healthcare team to build a thorough, evidence-based claim. This can include specialist reports, functional capacity evaluations, and expert medical opinions that connect your diagnosis to real functional limits. Our goal is simple: to present a complete and convincing claim file that demonstrates exactly how your condition prevents you from working, leaving insurers little room to dispute or delay the benefits you deserve.

Deadlines to Apply for LTD After You Stop Working

Group LTD policies impose strict notice and proof-of-loss deadlines. If your physician advises you to stop working, start your LTD claim right away. Don’t wait for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits to finish. Missing a policy deadline is one of the most common (and avoidable) reasons for denial.

Typical timing (varies by plan):

Initial notice: often required promptly after you cease work.
Proof of loss: commonly within 90 days after the elimination period (many plans use ~13 weeks or the end of short-term disability). Some certificates specify 30/60/90-day milestones tied to disability onset or STD end. Because wording differs, the safest approach is to request the claimant, employer, and physician forms immediately and file as soon as your clinician documents work restrictions.

Don’t bank on extensions. Internal appeals or waiting on other benefits rarely “pause” your LTD timelines, and they don’t usually extend the two-year litigation limit (subject to discovery and an ultimate cap). Early advice helps you avoid preventable gaps.

Missed a date? Don’t give up. Depending on the policy and facts, there may be arguments for late proof or other remedies; act quickly.

Our Bedford LTD lawyers prepare and file time-sensitive forms, coordinate precise medical letters that match the policy’s definition of disability, and submit a complete proof-of-loss package, reducing the insurer’s room to deny on a technicality.

Need a handy resource you can refer to? Download our Disability Benefits Ebook.

What Happens if My LTD Claim Is Denied?

An LTD denial (or cut-off) is common, even when the medical proof is strong. You have options to challenge the decision, and you don’t have to do it alone. We guide Bedford claimants through appeals and, when needed, lawsuits, so the insurer has less room to stall or underpay.

This is what usually happens after a denial, and how we help:

Read the denial letter line by line: The insurer must explain why they denied or terminated benefits (e.g., “insufficient medical evidence,” disagreement with your doctor, surveillance, or “not meeting the policy definition”). We break down each reason, identify what’s missing, and build a plan to plug those gaps with targeted medical and functional proof.
File a targeted internal appeal (when it helps): Most policies allow an internal appeal with a short deadline (often 30–60 days). We submit a focused package that answers the insurer’s points directly. This includes updated specialist reports, functional capacity or neuropsych testing, detailed clinician letters, and statements that show how your symptoms limit reliability, pace, and attendance at work. Important: An internal appeal usually does not pause the time limit to sue. We track both clocks.
Proceed to litigation: If appeals don’t work or the insurer fails to handle your claim fairly or honestly, we can file a lawsuit for the benefits owed. In Nova Scotia, you typically have 2 years from the denial date to take legal action. Our involvement often motivates insurers to negotiate fairly before trial.

Deadlines are strict. Missing an appeal window or a limitation period can end a good claim. We confirm your exact dates, prepare the record the insurer expects to see, and keep pressure on from day one. A denial isn’t the end. We’ll handle every step: deadlines, communications, and evidence. You can focus on your health while we fight for your benefits.

Explore our article, What To Do If Your Long Term Disability Claim Is Denied for more on this.

Why Do LTD Benefits Often Stop at the 2-Year Mark?

Many Bedford claimants are surprised when their LTD benefits end around the 24-month mark. This happens because most policies in Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada change the definition of disability at that point from “own occupation” to “any occupation.”

Here’s how that works:

First 24 months – Own Occupation: You qualify if you can’t perform the core duties of the job you held when you became disabled.
After 24 months – Any Occupation: The insurer now asks whether you could do any suitable job based on your education, training, or experience, even if it pays less or falls outside your usual field.

This change, called the “change of definition,” is a common reason insurers terminate benefits. They may rely on vocational assessments or paper reviews to argue you’re capable of lighter work. You know your limits better than anyone, and being told you’re “fit” when you’re not can feel both unfair and dismissive.

At NOVA Injury Law, we push back with solid medical and vocational evidence proving that your condition still prevents sustainable employment. Our Bedford LTD lawyers coordinate reports from your treating specialists, functional testing, and expert assessments to challenge unfair cut-offs and protect your continued entitlement.

Can I Get Fired While on LTD?

It’s a common concern, and the short answer is yes, but only under specific conditions. Your employer can end your employment while you’re on LTD, but they cannot fire you because of your disability.

Your Employment Status: While you’re on LTD, you’re generally still an employee on medical leave. Whether seniority and extended health coverage continue depends on your employment agreement and benefits plan. In Nova Scotia, employers must accommodate disability up to undue hardship under the Human Rights Act (for example, holding or modifying a role where feasible). Separately, the Labour Standards Code provides up to 27 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave for serious illness or injury.
When Termination Can Happen: If it’s clear you won’t be able to return to work, your employer may end employment due to frustration of contract. Layoffs or company closures can also apply. However, they must follow labour standards and provide proper notice or severance.
Severance and LTD: If terminated, get legal advice before signing any severance offer. Some LTD policies deduct severance or pension income from your benefits, and signing a broad release can affect your rights.
Bottom Line: Losing your job doesn’t automatically end your LTD. As long as you became disabled while covered, the insurer must continue paying benefits.

Our Bedford LTD lawyers ensure both your employment and insurance rights are protected. If you’ve been pressured, mistreated, or wrongfully terminated while receiving LTD benefits, reach out to us immediately.

Learn more about your disability and employment rights here: Firing a Disabled Worker

Are LTD Benefits Taxable in Bedford? Can I Claim the Disability Tax Credit?

When you’re receiving long-term disability (LTD) payments, understanding how they’re taxed is key to managing your income. Here’s what to know in Bedford and across Nova Scotia.

Taxability depends on who paid the insurance premiums: For employer-paid or pre-tax premiums, your LTD payments are taxable income. Insurers usually deduct tax from each monthly payment. For employee-paid with after-tax income: Your LTD payments are tax-free, since you already paid tax on the premium dollars. Most workplace group plans are employer-paid, so LTD is often taxable. We can review your policy or benefits booklet to confirm your specific tax situation.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC): The DTC is a federal tax credit for people with severe, long-term disabilities that significantly limit daily life. It’s separate from LTD but can reduce your overall tax bill (especially helpful if your LTD is taxable). This requires a doctor’s certification showing your impairment has lasted (or will last) 12+ months. Once approved, it can lead to refunds or tax reductions. Our team regularly assists LTD clients with DTC applications to ensure you don’t miss out on available support.
Retroactive Payments & Settlements: If you receive a lump-sum payment for backdated LTD benefits, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may allow you to spread the tax over the years it covers, reducing the impact in one year. We also help structure settlements or buyouts to minimize tax consequences.

Tax rules for LTD benefits can be confusing, but we’ll help you understand your coverage, guide you on credits like the DTC, and work with tax professionals if needed. At NOVA Injury Law, our goal is to maximize your recovery and minimize your tax burden so your LTD income works for you.

Find more answers here: Are Long-Term Disability Benefits Taxable?

Should You Take a Lump-Sum LTD Buyout?

If your insurer offers a lump-sum payout, it means they want to close your LTD claim in exchange for a one-time payment. While tempting, these offers usually favour the insurer, so it’s crucial to know what’s at stake.

Why Insurers Offer Buyouts: Insurers make buyout offers when they expect to pay your claim for years. By paying a reduced “present value” now, they save money and remove long-term liability from their books. They also avoid the risk of your condition worsening or needing future reassessments.
When a Lump Sum Might Help: A lump sum gives you immediate access to funds, freedom from ongoing insurer oversight, and peace of mind if you plan to return to work or expect health improvement. These settlements are often tax-free in Canada, which can make them financially appealing, especially if your monthly LTD payments are taxable.
Risks to Watch For: Buyouts are usually undervalued. Insurers base calculations on optimistic recovery assumptions and discount future payments heavily. Once accepted, you lose all rights to future benefits, no matter what happens to your health. Managing a lump sum also requires financial planning to ensure it lasts as long as needed.

At NOVA Injury Law, we carefully evaluate each offer’s true worth, explain tax and legal implications, and negotiate terms that protect your finances. Before signing anything, let our Bedford LTD lawyers ensure the deal truly benefits you.

More on this topic here: How Are Long Term Disability Lump Sum Payouts Calculated?

Should I Hire a Lawyer for Bedford LTD Appeals or Disputes?

Technically, you can appeal or sue an insurer on your own, but LTD claims are complex. Insurance companies rely on teams of adjusters, medical experts, and lawyers focused on minimizing payouts, putting injured individuals at a clear disadvantage. Here are a few reasons why hiring an experienced lawyer in Bedford can significantly improve your chances:

Knowledge of Insurance Tactics: We’ve seen every strategy insurers use to deny claims, which may include social media monitoring, biased medical exams, vague policy interpretations, and deliberate delays. Our lawyers understand these strategies and know how to effectively challenge them with strong evidence and legal pressure, keeping your claim on track.
Building Strong Evidence: Most denials happen not because you’re unwell, but because the file lacks persuasive proof. We work with your doctors to prepare detailed medical reports, functional capacity evaluations, and expert opinions that clearly show how your condition meets your policy’s definition of disability.
Avoiding Deadlines and Legal Pitfalls: Missing an appeal or lawsuit deadline can permanently close your case. We track every timeline, handle insurer communication, and ensure nothing jeopardizes your rights.
Negotiating Fair Outcomes: Once represented, insurers take your case seriously. We aim to reinstate benefits or negotiate fair settlements while you focus on recovery.
No Upfront Fees: Our contingency model means you don’t pay unless we win, and we cover the upfront costs of medical reports or expert opinions.

Hiring NOVA Injury Law levels the playing field and gives your claim the strength it deserves. We’ll handle the fight; you focus on getting better.

What Happens If I Try to Return to Work While on LTD?

Getting back to work after a disability can be great for well-being; it must be handled carefully. A poorly managed return can give insurers an excuse to end your benefits early.

(Explore this topic further: Returning to Work While on Disability)

Rehabilitation and Trial Periods: Many LTD policies include rehabilitation or trial return-to-work programs, allowing you to work part-time or in modified duties while still receiving partial LTD benefits. Always get written approval from your insurer before starting. Working without notice can be viewed as misrepresentation.
Risk of Losing Benefits: Insurers sometimes misinterpret a short or partial work attempt as proof that you’re “fit for full-time work.” Even if you struggle or stop due to worsening symptoms, they may try to terminate your claim. Proper medical documentation is crucial to show that your disability—not choice—ended the trial.
Protecting Yourself: Before returning, have a disability lawyer review your policy. We clarify return-to-work provisions, negotiate written terms with your insurer, and ensure benefits resume if your attempt fails. Many policies include recurrent disability clauses, letting you restart benefits within a set period (often six months) without reapplying.
Stay Within Medical Limits: Work only within your doctor’s recommendations, record any difficulties, and see your physician immediately if symptoms worsen.

Free Consultation with Bedford Long-Term Disability Lawyers

LTD claims can be exhausting, especially when an insurer delays, underpays, or cuts you off. If you’re starting an application, appealing a denial, or fighting a termination of benefits, you don’t have to go handle everything alone.

Reach out to NOVA Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re open 24/7 to hear your story, review your policy and medical timeline, assess claim strength, and map clear next steps.

No legal fee unless we win.

Prefer to meet in person? Visit our Bedford office:
1355 Bedford Hwy
Bedford, NS B4A 1C5

Let us take this load off your shoulders while you focus on recovery. Book your free case review online or by phone today, and move toward the benefits and peace of mind you deserve.