Teachers/OTIP

Markham & Toronto Disability Lawyers Representing Teachers in LTD Claims

With over 20 years of experience, Mulqueen Disability Law is uniquely positioned to help teachers, educators, administrators and other school employees with their long-term disability benefit disputes. Courtney Mulqueen draws on her “insider” experience from defending OTIP/Manulife LTD claims. Having worked on the “inside”, Courtney leverages her valuable insights and perspective to advocate for her clients in their LTD cases. 

Long-term disability lawyers for Ontario teachers, principals, administrators & staff

Whether you work for a privately or publicly funded school/board and whether you are a principal, teacher, or working in some other educational position, you have long-term disability benefits that should be available to you if you become unable to perform your work duties due to an illness or injury.

Navigating the process of applying for LTD or appealing a denial can be a challenge, even with the help of your school board, union, and benefits provider.  Our clients come to us seeking “outside” guidance and impartial opinions with respect to their LTD claims.

We can help you decide if, when, and how to apply for LTD benefits under your benefit plan. If your benefits are later denied or terminated, we will discuss the options available to you to dispute the decision – appeal, grieve, or litigate.  Not all claims need to be litigated and not all claims need to be appealed.  Every claim is different and Mulqueen Disability Law will evaluate your claim and help you determine which option is best for you.

Ontario Teachers Insurance Plans (OTIP) LTD Plans

The Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) provides long-term disability insurance (benefits and administration of claims) for most teachers and other staff working in Ontario’s publicly funded school boards. Teachers Life also provides LTD insurance to Ontario teachers.

The OTIP is not like other group disability insurance plans. Teachers have unique challenges and considerations (including the impact on their pensions) when applying for long-term disability benefits and also when appealing or litigating their long-term disability claim disputes. OTIP disability benefit disputes cannot be approached in the same way as other long-term disability benefit disputes.

Having decades of experience litigating OTIP long-term disability disputes from both sides of the table (defending claims for OTIP/Manulife and representing teachers and other school board employees), we understand the nuances of the OTIP Plan and how to effectively prove OTIP LTD claims at the application, appeal, and litigation stages.

How is the OTIP LTD different from other LTD plans?

The OTIP LTD plan is different from many other long-term disability plans or policies and litigating OTIP claims is complex. Many of the terms and conditions in the OTIP plan are not found in other LTD policies. The approach that OTIP takes in assessing teachers’ disability claims and how benefits are calculated, differs from the way other insurance companies or administrators assess claims and calculate benefits.

Some of the issues and considerations unique to OTIP and Teachers Life long-term disability benefit disputes, include:

  • How the denial of a claim or the settlement of a lawsuit will affect the teacher’s retirement pension, employment status, and future coverages under their plan, including life insurance and future long-term disability claims;
  • Whether the teacher should apply for their disability pension;
  • Whether the teacher is able to keep their specific assignment while they are on leave;
  • Protecting the teacher’s privacy regarding the disclosure of their medical information to their school and others;
  • The teacher’s rights and responsibilities with respect to participating in OTIP’s “Early Intervention” and rehabilitation programs;
  • Whether the teacher must make efforts to return to teaching and/or make efforts to some other type of work;
  • The calculation of the teacher’s monthly benefit amount; and
  • Whether the plan requires the teacher to appeal or grieve the denial of their benefits or whether the teacher can sue for benefits if their are denied or terminated.

The answers to many of these questions are not only specific to the circumstances of each teacher, but also specific to the OTIP/Teachers Life plan.

How can Mulqueen Disability Law help Ontario teachers with their LTD claims?

Whether your LTD claim is being paid by or administered by Manulife, Sun Life, Great-West Life, Teachers Life, Ontario Principals Counsel or OTIP or some other organization, we understand the nuances of these plans and how to successfully prove disability claims under them.

You may be struggling to get answers to your questions. We can help.

Mulqueen Disability Law provides the following services to teachers, educators, administrators, and other staff:

  • Consultation prior to applying for LTD;
  • Review of LTD claims forms;
  • Telephone interview preparation;
  • Consultation during claims adjudication with respect to Authorizations, Requests for Records, and delays in decisions;
  • Review of denial and termination letters to determine how to proceed;
  • Consultations regarding appeals and preparing your appeal package;
  • Litigation and negotiation of LTD claims denials and terminations; and
  • Other “as needed” services and consultation as needed.

Free initial consultations for Ontario teachers’ LTD matters

At Mulqueen Disability Law, our initial consultations are confidential and free. We will review and assess your claim and provide you with practical tips, information, insights and strategic suggestions. We will help you determine how best to proceed. 

You may be wondering if you will lose your job/assignment if you do not return to work in September/January. You may be considering returning to work before you are ready or in a part-time or occasional capacity. You may be considering early retirement or resignation. You may be wondering what happens to your pension if your LTD claim is denied. These are all very legitimate concerns and questions that we can address.

Mulqueen Disability Law: providing trusted LTD advice to Ontario teachers in Markham, Toronto & York Region

Mulqueen Disability Law is dedicated to advocating for Ontario teachers, administrators, and staff in their LTD claims and proving disability for invisible disabilities such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, workplace stress and burnout, chronic pain, immunological issues, and neurological conditions. If you are a disabled teacher or school board employee who is either considering submitting a long-term disability claim or if your LTD claim has recently denied or terminated and you are considering an appeal, we encourage you to contact us. With 20 years of experience litigating OTIP LTD disputes, Mulqueen Disability Law provides quality in-person and virtual legal services from its offices in Markham and Toronto. To schedule a confidential, free initial consultation, please contact us online or by phone at 416-900-0368 (or toll-free at 833-363-3LAW [3529]).