Best Long Term Disability Lawyers in Ottawa

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Written By: BOSS Editorial

Published: September 1, 2026

Reading Time: 5 minutes

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A denied long-term disability claim can cause a lot of difficulty and pressure during a time when you’re already sick. For those in Ottawa who have been denied, choosing a lawyer with a speciality in disability insurance can make a meaningful difference.

The following five firms in Ottawa support clients with long-term disability (LTD) matters. Share Lawyers stands out, with its focus on disability insurance disputes, client-centred model, and decades of experience helping Canadians challenge denied claims.

1. Share Lawyers

Share Lawyers is a leading choice for Ottawa residents whose LTD benefits have been denied, cut off, delayed, or threatened. While the firm represents clients across Canada, it has built its reputation around a concentrated practice in disability insurance law rather than treating LTD claims as an occasional add-on to a broader injury or general litigation practice.

That focused approach matters. LTD disputes are often based around detailed policy wording, medical records, functional restrictions, surveillance, insurer medical examinations, and changing definitions of disability. A lawyer who routinely deals with these issues is in a better position to recognize the insurance company’s strategy, identify missing evidence, and build a persuasive case.

For more than 40 years, Share Lawyers has represented people across Canada whose disability insurance benefits have been denied. That long history in disability claims has given the firm a depth of experience that few practices can match.

The firm offers free consultations, and clients do not pay any fees unless their case is successfully settled. Each client also has a client service lawyer who can explain the process, answer questions, and provide updates along the way—particularly valuable when dealing with a health condition and an insurance dispute at the same time.

For people looking for a disability-focused legal team with decades of experience in denied LTD claims, Share Lawyers is arguably the strongest place to start.

2. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is a well-known Ontario firm with a substantial public profile in both employment and disability law. Its Ottawa office serves clients dealing with LTD, short-term disability, and CPP Disability disputes.

The firm may be particularly appealing to employees whose disability claim overlaps with workplace issues, such as a disputed accommodation, wrongful dismissal, workplace harassment, or pressure to return to work before they are medically ready. Its combination of employment and disability practices can be helpful where an insurer’s decision and an employer’s conduct need to be considered together.

Samfiru Tumarkin also has a large volume of public online feedback, reporting more than 3,000 Google reviews and a 4.8 rating on its disability-law page. As always, prospective clients should read recent reviews carefully and speak with the lawyer who would actually handle the file before retaining any firm.

3. Tierney Stauffer LLP

Tierney Stauffer LLP is an established Ottawa firm offering assistance with long-term disability benefit denial claims. The firm has represented clients seeking approval or reinstatement of their LTD claims for more than 30 years.

Its local Ottawa presence may appeal to clients who prefer working with an Ottawa-based firm and may benefit from in-person meetings. The firm describes its work as including support for people whose benefits have been denied or terminated prematurely, and it offers consultations for prospective LTD clients.

Tierney Stauffer may be worth considering for claimants who want a traditional full-service Ottawa law-firm setting while seeking counsel for an insurer dispute. Before choosing any firm, clients should ask how much of the lawyer’s current work is specifically LTD litigation and whether the firm will handle a lawsuit if negotiation does not produce a fair result.

4. Kotak Law

Denied disability claims are a central part of the work done by Kotak Law. They work with clients throughout Ottawa – including downtown, Kanata, Nepean, and Orléans.

The firm helps clients challenge denied disability claims and regain financial stability after an insurance company’s denial. They are a useful option for Canadians seeking a firm that focuses on disability cases rather than on accident-related injury claims.

When comparing Kotak Law with other options, potential clients should ask about the specific experience of the lawyer assigned to the case, the firm’s approach to insurer appeals versus litigation, expected communication frequency, and how costs will work if the case settles or proceeds to court.

5. Van Dyke Law

 

Van Dyke Law represents Ottawa residents dealing with long-term disability claims. The firm offers a free initial consultation and generally works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning legal fees are paid only if the case is resolved successfully.

For someone who has just received a denial letter, the first few steps can be confusing. Van Dyke Law helps clients review why the insurer denied the claim, determine what medical or other evidence may be needed, respond to requests for updated information, and keep track of important deadlines.

LTD files can be time-sensitive, and a denial letter may refer to internal appeal procedures or other deadlines. Although an internal appeal can sometimes be appropriate, claimants should seek legal advice before providing extensive additional information or accepting the insurer’s framing of the issue.

Van Dyke Law is one of several Ottawa-serving options for individuals who want an initial assessment of the strength of their disability claim.

What to Look For

The “best” LTD lawyer depends on the facts of the claim, but Ottawa claimants should look beyond advertising language and ask direct questions:

  • How much of the firm’s practice is devoted to disability insurance claims?
  • Has the lawyer handled cases involving this insurance company and this type of medical condition?
  • Will the firm consider the options of appealing vs a possible lawsuit?
  • Who will be the contact for updates and questions?
  • What percentage will be charged for fees and disbursements?
  • What evidence should be obtained before responding to the insurance company?

A denial is not necessarily the end of an LTD claim. The right lawyer will assess your policy, identify the evidence gap relied on by the insurance company, and develop a plan aimed at recovering your past benefits, securing ongoing payments (where appropriate), or negotiating a fair settlement.

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