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2024 ThreeBestRated® Awarded Employment Lawyer Bram A. Lecker, Explains The Reasons For Anxiety Disorder LTD Denial

2024 ThreeBestRated® Awarded Employment Lawyer Bram A. Lecker, Explains The Reasons For Anxiety Disorder LTD Denial

byLecker & Associates | Disability & WSIB Claims

Anxiety is a debilitating condition. Unfortunately, it doesn’t receive the attention and recognition it deserves as other physical conditions. “Anxiety disorders are characterized as complex mental health conditions that involve more than just nervousness and stress. It can affect professional productivity, in addition to causing physical pain,” says Bram A. Lecker, a renowned and principal employment lawyer at Lecker & Associates. He is the winner of ThreeBestRated®’s 2024 Top Employment Lawyer in the Toronto region. As a lawyer with a deep dedication to assisting his community, he divulged into the complexities of anxiety disorder LTD claims to help his esteemed clients get the benefits they deserve. 

Being one of the invisible illnesses, anxiety is also eligible for Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits. In order to claim LTD benefits, the victims have to submit detailed medical reports, including diagnoses, treatment plans, and functional limitations to support their claim.

Despite providing thorough evidence, chances are there for denial of the claims. The reasons for the denial of LTD claims for Anxiety Disorders may include:

Insufficient Medical Evidence:  If medical reports fail to adequately showcase the extent of the symptoms, functional limitations, and treatment history, the claim may be denied. Insurers may exploit this gap to downplay the severity of the symptom and its impact on the victim’s ability to work. 

Failure to Meet Eligibility Criteria: Sometimes, LTD policies can outline specific eligibility criteria that must be met for an employee to qualify for benefits. “Your claim might be denied if you fall short of these criteria,” said Bram. 

Exclusion of Pre-Existing Condition(s): Certain LTD policies may list exclusions for pre-existing conditions, which may include anxiety disorders. When the victim’s anxiety disorder falls under this pre-existing category as per the policy terms, there is a possibility that the claim could either be denied altogether, or the coverage could be limited. 

Subjective Nature of Symptoms: As anxiety disorders are characterized by subjective symptoms such as fear, worry, and stress, it can be difficult to measure the extent of the condition. Therefore, given it’s subjective nature, insurers may deny the claims if a claimant cannot demonstrate their disorder renders them totally disabled.  . 

Lack of Compliance with Treatment: “Your claim may be allowed if you comply with recommended treatment plans or therapies with valid reasons, such as intolerable side effects or financial constraints,” says Bram.

When the LTD claim is denied, it is important for anyone not to lose hope. Seeking an experienced lawyer’s assistance may help, as they can go through all the evidence and provide the victims with necessary guidance and advice on what to do next.

Attorneys at Lecker & Associates have significant experience in challenging insurance companies on behalf of their clients and achieving the best possible outcomes upon claims. 

About Lecker & Associates

Bram A. Lecker has been practicing law since he was called to the Ontario Bar in 1984. He is one of the most experienced lawyers in Toronto. With his experience and knowledge in employment law, he has represented countless employees and litigated numerous cases tirelessly. Not only does he handle client cases, but also serves as a mentor to his exceptional team. He is passionate about imparting the knowledge he gained to his clients and team. He regularly writes blog posts on various legal topics on his website and various other newspapers, magazines, and legal outlets including Global News, Globe & Mail, The Toronto Star, CBC Radio, and more. 

Bram and his team have exceptional negotiation skills that helped them to settle most of the cases without the need for trial. However, they can fight fiercely for their clients, when the circumstances demand trials. They have represented various court levels, including the Ontario Small Claims Court, Divisional Court to the Ontario Court of Appeal, and Superior Court. 

Bram and his team handle cases on wrongful dismissal, severance negotiations, job layoffs, constructive dismissal, parental leave, disability claims, and workplace harassment. Call 416 223 5391 or book an initial assessment with Lecker & Associates.

Testimonials from Employees Like You

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Conor Quenneville
2026-09-08
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Mr. Whittingham has incredible to work with regarding my employment matter. I have been thoroughly impressed by his legal knowledge, insight, professionalism and strategy. He’s been instrumental in helping me navigate my issue. Nathan has helped me every step along the way while we traverse the case. Ultimately helping me find a tailored legal solution that best fits my case. I can’t recommend Nathan Whittingham enough along with the rest of the Lecker and Associates team. Thank you for helping me navigate this stressful legal situation.
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Faiyaz Ally
2026-08-21
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Matthew was very hands-on throughout which is exactly what I expect. The communication was prompt, and professional. Eslita was always available if I had questions or needed to reach Matthew. Highly recommend this team.
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XU ZIMING
2026-08-18
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I had the pleasure of speaking with Nathan Whittingham regarding my previous employment experience. He was very helpful and understanding of the issues I am facing, and he provided valuable advice on several related topics. I would be very pleased to have him represent me as my paralegal in the future.
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Michael Armstrong
2026-08-18
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Fifteen years ago, through no fault of my own, I found myself unemployed and facing a severance package. Uncertain about what to do, what my rights were, and under pressure from my employer to sign the agreement, I knew I needed professional help. That’s when I found Lecker and Associates. Their guidance, expertise, and support made all the difference. The results far exceeded my expectations, and I was extremely grateful for the way they handled my case. Fifteen years later, I turned to Lecker and Associates once again and received the same high standard of service and dedication. Once again, the results far exceeded my expectations. Lecker and Associates have earned my utmost respect and comes with my highest recommendation. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who needs knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate legal representation.
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Lia L
2026-08-18
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I highly recommend Ian Hurley, Nathan Whittingham and the team at Lecker & Associates. After having a terrible experience with my previous counsel from another law firm, I approached Ian with recommendation from a friend. Ian and his team graciously agreed to take over my case. Ian demonstrated that he truly understood and cared about my situation and provided clear and reasonable advice. He and his team handled everything with patience, efficiency, and professionalism. They set realistic expectations and delivered. Within less than 3 months, Ian was able to reach an acceptable settlement when it took my previous lawyer over a year to get nowhere. I'm truly grateful to Ian, Nathan and his team for helping me move forward and finally put a difficult chapter behind me. I would recommend Lecker & Associates to anyone who's in need for a professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated legal team.
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Lidia Sharpe
2026-08-17
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I had an excellent experience with the team of Matthew Fisher and Eslita Ramkishun. They were always very clear & transparent in their communication and represented me very well with my case. I greatly appreciate their professionalism, expertise and always ready to answer my questions
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Kelly Mountain
2026-08-17
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I had an excellent experience working with both Matthew and Eslita. They were consistently professional, knowledgeable, and highly skilled, making every step of the process feel clear and manageable. Their friendly approach and willingness to explain details thoroughly gave me confidence throughout my case. I’m truly grateful for their support and would highly recommend their services.
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Charlene Mathias McDoom
2026-08-17
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I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Matthew Fisher and Eslita Ramkishun. Matthew's extensive knowledge and experience combined with his strong client-centred approach resulted in a great outcome for me. Eslita's diligence is unmatched and she too was such a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend.
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André Nichol
2026-08-17
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Being laid off and let go is never an easy process. The stress, uncertainty, and anxiety make decision making extremely difficult. Thank you to Jared and Jass at Lecker & Associates for explaining my options and employment law. It’s one thing to be an expert in your profession, it’s quite another to try to comprehend the intricacies of employment law when stressed. Thank you again to Jared and Jass for diligently negotiating my severance package.
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Mike L.
2026-08-13
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Both Jordan and Ashley were very helpful and courteous during a difficult situation. They were always prompt with responses and clear with communication. I recommend using Lecker & Associates

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