In Long-Term Disability Denial cases, I try to reach an agreement that makes sense for my client as well as my firm. I have, in some past cases, waived my fees where a client’s long-term disability denial has been reversed after the insurer reviews their file upon receiving an initial letter from my office notifying them of a claim.
I also will never pressure you to take a “cash out” in long term disability claims. It is a reality in these types of claims that a lawyer will often receive more money for his fee if he negotiates a “cash out” instead of reinstatement (if the fee is calculated on a percentage of the recovery). Sometimes the Long Term Disability carrier is only willing to cash out and will not reinstate short of being ordered to do so by a court. When providing my client’s with their options, I will always include the fee scenarios as well, so that they have a full understanding and I will do my absolute best to provide general and long-term thoughts as well. I have dissuaded clients from accepting a cash-out in the past, where I felt that it was in their best interests.
You want to trust your lawyer and, above all else, you want to find a lawyer that you are comfortable with. Not every lawyer is right for every client, and not every client is right for every lawyer. I don’t pressure clients to hire me, because I only want clients who are comfortable with their lawyer. Despite the era of billboard, radio and tv ad lawyers, I still believe that, as lawyers, we have a basic set of values and professionalism to adhere to that goes beyond business.
Our law firm, Lerners LLP, has been around since 1929, has over 100 lawyers, the capital to invest in cases and a long and solid reputation. Lerners LLP has been noted to be Canada’s largest group of personal injury lawyers. We offer in home and hospital consultations across the Province.
The amount of the fee is usually agreed to at the beginning of the case, in the retainer agreement with your lawyer. In certain cases, the amount of the fee can be reviewed and over-turned later. If you are concerned about the fee that you are paying, it is better to look into this sooner than later. This is especially true if you want to switch lawyers, since the old lawyer will want to be paid for some portion of the time that they have spent and it is better to do this earlier.
Consultations are free, and we are positioned to fund all up-front costs.
If you want to do your research and really consider what legal fee is fair you are free to contact us at law123.ca in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Durham at 905-409-2438. Feel free to call and ask “what legal fee is fair?”
Steven Polak is a personal injury lawyer in Toronto and Whitby, Ajax-Pickering Ontario representing victims of injury and death in car accidents, slip and falls, other mishaps, as well as long term disability denials.