Canada Pension Plan Disability Claims

Areas of Practice

Canada Pension Plan Disability Claims

Toronto CPP Disability Insurance Lawyer

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability (also known as CPPD) is the largest long term disability insurance program in Canada and is administered by the Federal Government.^[1] If you have contributed to the Canadian Pension Plan and are unable to work due to severe and prolonged disability, you may be eligible to apply for the CPP disability benefits. The benefits cover both mental and physical disability and work in conjunction with your Long-term disability insurance (group or private) coverage (if applicable). Benefits may also be available to your dependent children.

To qualify for a CPP disability benefit, you must:

Have a severe and prolonged disability as defined by the CPP legislation
be under age 65
have earned a specified minimum amount and contributed to the CPP while working for a minimum number of years.
have contributed to the CPP in four of the last six years at or above the minimum level of earnings or in three of the last six years if you have contributed at or above the minimum level of earnings for at least 25 years

To apply, you must complete and sign a written application,^[2] which in addition to your personal details, medical condition and employment history, requires a medical report to be completed by your doctor or nurse practitioner.

The eligibility criteria and the application process can be difficult to navigate and many deserving applicants are rejected on their first try. If unsuccessful, you can request a reconsideration of your application. A reconsideration is essentially a new review of your application by Service Canada which may involve additional information and asking you to see another doctor. Depending on the case, reconsideration can take several months to complete.^[3] If the reconsideration fails, the claimant can file an appeal with the office of the Social Security Tribunal of Canada.^[4] The appeal process can be lengthy and frustrating.

If you feel you have been unfairly denied Canada Pension Plan disability benefits you should consult a personal injury lawyer.

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

^[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/pensions/reports/disability-benefits.html

^[2] https://catalogue.servicecanada.gc.ca/apps/EForms/pdf/en/ISP-1151.pdf

^[3] https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit/after-apply.html

^[4]https://www1.canada.ca/en/sst/cpp/how%20to%20file%20a%20canada%20pension%20plan%20appeal%20(general%20division).pdf

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Airplane / Airline Accidents

Areas of Practice

Airplane / Airline Accidents

Toronto aviation accident lawyer Toronto

Toronto Airplane Accident Lawyer

Airline Accidents cause serious injury and death. The complexities involved in determining the cause of an airline accident require careful analysis and investigation.

Tony Lafazanis will guide and support you through a complex process to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for any injury sustained.

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Bicycle Accidents

Areas of Practice

Bicycle Accidents

Tony Lafazanis is a proud supporter of Cycle Toronto. They advocate for a safe, healthy and vibrant cycling city for all.

Please take a moment to watch the webinar Tony presented to Cycle Toronto members, “Compensating Cyclists – Where there’s a will, there’s a way“.

Toronto Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Every year, about 7,500 Canadian Bicyclists are seriously injured.¹ Here are some facts you should know about bicycle injuries:

In Ontario, under section 193 of the Highway Traffic Act, there is a reverse onus on the motor vehicle that caused injury to the bicyclist, to prove he or she was not in the wrong.

Even if the bicyclist has no auto insurance, the bicyclist is entitled to accident benefit compensation from the insurer of the motor vehicle, even if the bicyclist was 100% at fault.

If the motor vehicle does not have insurance or has not been identified, a bicyclist injured in a bicycle-motor vehicle accident can apply to the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund for accident benefit compensation. If the bicyclist was not at fault, there may also be a tort claim against the Fund.

Where there is no other traveller or motor vehicle involved (so called single bicycle accidents), there may still be fault on those responsible for maintaining suitable road conditions. Examples of unsuitable road conditions may include icy conditions, deep potholes, improper sewer grates, and unfinished surfaces.

Tony Lafazanis has successfully handled cases involving bicycle-motor vehicle collisions and single bicycle accidents. Fault may lie with the motor vehicle, be jointly shared, or lie with the authorities responsible for maintaining roads/bike lanes. Tony Lafazanis will give you the expertise you need to get the compensation you deserve.

Insurance companies are nothing to worry about with Tony Lafazanis on your side!

Tony Lafazanis has won cases for people who are partially at fault for the accident they were involved in. Sometimes there is no clearly marked division between who is at fault. The court has the right to award compensation based on the percentage of fault for each person involved. For instance, your failure to use a turn signal or make hand signals does not excuse the other driver for running into you.

Talk to Tony Lafazanis before you settle with the insurance company!

No matter whether you think you were partly to blame for the accident or not, always talk to Tony Lafazanis before accepting the settlement offer from the insurance company. Keep in mind that insurance companies will try to get out of paying more than they have to, so their opening offer will always be low.

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

[1] http://bikesafety.caa.ca/cyclists/bicycle-statistics.php

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Birth Injuries

Areas of Practice

Birth Injuries

Birth Injury Lawyers Toronto, GTA, Cabbagetown

Toronto Birth Injury Lawyer

Birth injuries and defects have a devastating effect on everyone involved. Pursuing a legal claim for injuries is often not top-of-mind for those affected personally in such instances. If, however, there is any indication of negligence on the part of the doctors and other professionals involved, it is important that the family of the injured child consult with a lawyer to consider legal remedies.

Some examples of birth injuries include:

Abrupted placentas
Umbilical cord entrapments
Fetal distress

Compensation for injuries and defects may contribute significantly to improving the standard of life for the injured child. An experienced personal injury lawyer will act as counsel for affected families, assessing their claim for cause early on and guiding them step-by-step through any legal actions that follow as a result.

Time Limits

There is a two (2) year time limit from the date of your accident, or injury, to file a claim in Court. If no claim is filed in Court, after the two year mark the right to make a claim will likely be lost. It is very important that you contact us as soon as possible after your accident, or injury, to make sure that the time limit is not missed.

There are a few possible exceptions to the two year time limit that are best explained by us. For example, if the injured person was under the age of majority at the time of the accident, or injury, you have two years from their 18th birthday. In some other cases the date the time limit starts is not on the day of the accident, but the day a person of sound mind should have known they have a claim.

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Class Actions

Areas of Practice

Class Actions

Toronto Class Actions Lawyer

Class actions are appropriate when a group of people have similar potential claims. What may be too small a claim, if pursued by one person, may be a very large claim if pursued by a group of people. There is almost no claim that is too small if it can be the start of a class action.

Examples of successful class actions are:

Webb v. K-Mart
Employees were not given adequate termination notice or pay in lieu of notice.
Mangan v. Inco
Plant’s release of sulfur dioxide caused mild symptoms.
Garland v. Consumers Gas
Consumers Gas charged consumers excessive late fees.
Gagne v. Silcorp
Convenience store terminated its employees without offering adequate severance pay.
Dabbs v. Sun Life Assurance
Sun Life charged policy holders premiums beyond the forecasted offset date.
Shell Canada settlement
Shell used a fuel additive that damaged the fuel pump and sensors of some cars.
Robert Campbell v. W.C.I Canada
W.C.I. manufactured dryers that were defective.
Munro v. Bausch & Lomb
The same contact lenses were sold in different packaging for different prices, allegedly violating the Business Practices Act.

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Criminal Injury Compensation

Areas of Practice

Criminal Injury Compensation

Toronto Criminal Injury Lawyer

Victims of violent crime in Ontario may recover financial compensation for their injuries in two ways. They can apply directly to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) – an institution which exists to provide compensation to victims, and family members of deceased victims, of violent crime – and they may pursue financial compensation claim in tort against those responsible.

While an application to the CICB does not interfere with any related tort claims, a successful tort claim will require reimbursing the CICB for any funds they might have awarded.

It is not uncommon for criminal cases to have an associated criminal injury tort claim. A criminal case is pursued by the “Crown” on behalf of the government and, where successful, will likely result in the restriction of the freedoms and rights of the guilty party. The appropriate standard to be met by the Crown in such cases is very high – “beyond a reasonable doubt”.

A criminal injury tort claim, by comparison, can be launched by a personal injury lawyer directly on behalf of the injuring party with the goal of attaining financial compensation for the injuries suffered by the victim. The standard in criminal injury tort claims requires, among other things, showing that the injuring party contributed directly to the harms suffered by the injured party.

As criminal injury tort claims are often complex and unique to the specific circumstances of the case, the role of an experienced personal injury lawyer as a trusted advocate is especially invaluable.

Time Limits

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Disability Claims

Areas of Practice

Disability Claims

Toronto Disability Insurance Lawyer

What we earn from working is important to us in many ways. Those earnings pay for our living costs. Those costs cover everything from food, clothing, home (rent or mortgage), child related, etc.. We rely on our income to continue to meet or pay for those costs. It is natural that we do what is needed to make sure those earnings continue uninterrupted.

What Is Disability Insurance?

Disability insurance is a type of insurance that is intended to protect, or replace your earnings when a disability prevents you from working. Policies can be purchased on behalf of a group of employees, by your employer, or individually, direct from an insurer.

A disability can be caused by anything. Included are an accident, illness, sickness, physical or mental health symptoms.

What Are The Different Types Of Disability Insurance?

Disability insurance can come in various amounts and forms. Some of the common kinds of disability insurance are:

Short Term Disability Insurance

Short term disability (STD) insurance is a type of financial benefit that pays a percentage of an employee’s salary for a specified amount of time. The amount of benefits as well as the duration for these benefits varies based on the disability plan.

Long Term Disability Insurance

Long term disability (LTD) insurance protects an employee from loss of income in the event they are unable to work due to injury, illness or accident for a period of time beyond STD or Employment Insurance Sick Benefits. LTD insurance is usually provided to the employees by their employers as part of the employee benefits package. If the employer does not offer LTD insurance or if the employee desired additional coverage, they have the option of purchasing LTD insurance from an insurance agent.

Critical Illness Insurance:

Critical Illness insurance covers individuals against life altering illness such as cancer, stroke and heart disease. This type of insurance is intended to provide a lump-sum cash payment to help with the medical costs.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits

CPP disability (also knows as CPPD) is the largest long term disability insurance program in Canada administered by the Federal Government. CPP provides disability benefits to people who have made enough contributions to the CPP and who are disabled and cannot work at any job on a regular basis. Benefits may also be available to their dependent children. To qualify for a disability benefit under the CPP, a disability must be both “severe” and “prolonged”, and it must prevent you from being able to work at any job on a regular basis.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

The Ontario Disability Support Program is a government-funded last resort income support paid for qualifying residents in the province of Ontario, Canada, who are above the age of 18.You may be eligible for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) which offers:

financial assistance to help you and your family with essential living expenses
benefits, for you and your family, including prescription drugs and vision care
help finding and keeping a job, and advancing your career

Employment Insurance (EI) program

The EI Sickness program offers temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers. If you are unable to work because of sickness, injury or quarantine, you could be eligible to receive up to a maximum of 15 weeks of EI sickness benefits. To become eligible you must be employed in insurable employment, your income must be reduced by 40% and you must have accumulated at least 600 hours of insurable employment during the qualifying period.

Mortgage or Credit Insurance

Your mortgage or credit card insurance may include disability coverage. The exact coverage varies widely on the type of insurance purchased.

How Can Tony Lafazanis Help?

The policies can be complicated to understand. Tony Lafazanis can provide you a free evaluation of your policy and how it may apply to your disability.

The insurer may not always accept your claim for disability benefits. Tony Lafazanis has represented clients with all types of disability claims. He has the experience to settle your claim, often with a lump sum tax-free settlement.

Limitations may apply. If a claim is not filed in Court within 2 years of the insurers’ initial denial of your claim, your right to make that claim may be lost. Do not delay.

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Dog Bites

Areas of Practice

Dog Bites

Toronto Dog Bite Lawyer

If you experience physical pain, scarring or psychological damage from the behaviour of an animal that belongs to another person, you are entitled to make a claim for compensation. Dog bites are probably the most common type of animal injury, and Ontario has a statute called the Dog Owner’s Liability Act which governs such situations. This law basically provides that the owners of a dog are always liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by their dog on another person or domestic animal, regardless of whether they knew the animal was dangerous or not. This rule does not apply, however, if a guard dog attacks someone who is breaking into the premises.

As in other areas of negligence law, the injured person’s damages may be reduced if he or she caused or contributed to the injury.

All damages which reasonably flow from such an attack can be recovered, including pain and suffering, damages for disfigurement, wage losses, loss of future earning potential, health care costs that are not covered by public or private insurance plans and claims of other family members whose lives may be affected by the injury. Homeowners frequently have insurance plans which will cover such claims.

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Drunk or Distracted Drivers

Areas of Practice

Drunk or Distracted Drivers

Toronto Drunk or Distracted Drivers Lawyer

Each year, drunk and distracted drivers cause thousands of accidents in Ontario. Distracted driving in particular is becoming an increasing threat to the safety and security of Ontario’s road users. In Ontario, deaths from collisions caused by distracted driving have doubled since 2000.^[1]

According to the Government of Ontario:^[2]

One person is injured in a distracted-driving collision every 30 minutes.
A driver using a phone is four times more likely to crash than a driver focusing on the road

In recent years, distracted driving has been a larger contributor to motor vehicle deaths than impaired driving.

The list of modern-day distractions includes everything from texting and general mobile-phone use to personal grooming, to eating or talking with passengers. No matter the wide range of distractions however, the motor vehicle driver’s primary responsibility is always the safe operation of their vehicle. The government’s position on the issue of distracted driving was made clear in 2009 with legislation that made it illegal to use hand-held communication devices while driving.^[3]

In 2015, distracted driving penalties increased under new Ontario law.^[4] Per Bill 31 (effective September 1, 2015), fully licensed drivers may be fined up to a $1,000 and receive Three (3) demerit points.

Those injured as a result of the actions of drunk and distracted drivers may have a claim for financial compensation for their out-of-pocket medical expenses, for lost wages due to an inability to work, as well as other related consequences of their injuries.

Personal injury lawyers are important in drunk and distracted driver accidents in documenting the circumstances of the collision and establishing fault on behalf of the injured party. In some circumstances, the liability and responsibility for a drunk driving accident, for example, may extend as far as the bar or tavern who served the impaired driver.

Time Limits

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

^[1] https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving

^[2] https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving

^[3] https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2010/01/distracted-driving-fines-start-february-1.html

^[4] http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/distracted-driving-faq.shtml

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

Insurance Claims (Disability, Fire, Theft & Life)

Areas of Practice

Insurance Claims (Disability, Fire, Theft & Life)

Toronto Insurance Claims Lawyer

Recent changes to life insurance policies provide relief from undue financial hardship. Having knowledge of these benefits may be of assistance to our clients.

Tony Lafazanis in Toronto is used to dealing with Insurance Claim cases.

Life insurance is, to state the obvious, insurance on a person’s life. A premium is paid to provide a benefit payable on death. Quite often, though, there is a significant need for funds prior to death. That is especially true when there are no other sources of funds such as extended health coverage or disability coverage.

In cases where an insured is terminally ill, a life insurer may advance a portion of the benefit prior to death. A typical arrangement is that the insurer will consider an advance of up to 60% of the benefit. The balance of the benefit will be paid on death less expenses and an interest charge on the advance.

Typically a lawyer is not required to process this application. A medical report is considered sufficient to satisfy the insurer that the individual is terminally ill. The option is not in most insurance policies. Some insurance companies are advertising the option as a living benefit. Many insurers have put the option in place despite there being no mention of it in the actual policy. The insurance broker should be contacted to confirm whether the option is available.

Creative thinking has made it possible for funds to be available when they are most needed.

Hiring Tony Lafazanis is risk free. There is no legal bill to pay, if there is no settlement.

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Today

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Areas of Practice

Canada Pension Plan Disability Claims

Toronto CPP Disability Insurance Lawyer

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Areas of Practice

Airplane / Airline Accidents

Toronto Airplane Accident Lawyer

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Areas of Practice

Bicycle Accidents

Toronto Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Areas of Practice

Birth Injuries

Toronto Birth Injury Lawyer

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Areas of Practice

Class Actions

Toronto Class Actions Lawyer

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Areas of Practice

Criminal Injury Compensation

Toronto Criminal Injury Lawyer

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Areas of Practice

Disability Claims

Toronto Disability Insurance Lawyer

What Is Disability Insurance?

What Are The Different Types Of Disability Insurance?

How Can Tony Lafazanis Help?

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Areas of Practice

Dog Bites

Toronto Dog Bite Lawyer

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Areas of Practice

Drunk or Distracted Drivers

Toronto Drunk or Distracted Drivers Lawyer

Time Limits

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Areas of Practice

Insurance Claims (Disability, Fire, Theft & Life)

Toronto Insurance Claims Lawyer

Each personal injury case is unique and requires dedication, professionalism, expertise and a personal, hands-on approach.

If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of others, Tony Lafazanis will guide you through every step of the legal process, and ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

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