Sun Life Disability Claim Denial
Sun Life has a history of putting its own interests above those of policyholders by unfairly denying long-term disability claims. If you’re facing a Sun Life disability claim denial and worrying about how you’ll make ends meet, LawFirm.com may be able to help. Find out if a top disability lawyer can fight for the benefits you deserve with a free case review.
Why Take Legal Action?
By challenging a wrongful disability insurance denial, you can pursue the benefits and justice you deserve.
Results Secured
- $1.36 million for a New York man whose Aetna long-term disability claim and appeal were denied
- $1.21 million for a California worker denied disability benefits
- $975,000 for a physician who lost his hearing and was denied long-term disability benefits by Unum
Understanding Sun Life Financial Disability Claims Denials
Sun Life Financial is a Fortune 500 company that owns and operates a group of business entities, including Sun Life, a popular disability insurer.
Sun Life’s short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) insurance products provide financial protection to those who are unable to work following an injury or illness.
However, Sun Life has been known to wrongfully deny LTD claims to avoid paying benefits and boost its profits. When insurers fail to treat policyholders fairly, it’s considered bad faith.
Sun Life disability claim denial tactics include:
- Maintaining that insureds haven’t submitted proof of a covered disability
- Requiring excessive documentation to substantiate a claim
- Saying claimants fail to meet policy requirements
If you’re facing a Sun Life disability claim denial, you don’t have to take no for an answer. You have the right to appeal and seek the benefits you’re owed.
LawFirm.com works with top disability lawyers who’ve secured over $133 million for hardworking Americans facing unjust LTD denials, including those by Sun Life.
Get a free case review now to see if one of our legal partners may be able to fight for the benefits and compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Sun Life Financial Disability Denial
If you’ve been notified of a Sun Life disability claim denial, there are steps you can take to fight back and receive the benefits you paid for.
A federal law called the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) protects workers’ rights to benefits like those offered by Sun Life and provides a process for appealing a denial.
A Sun Life Financial disability claims lawyer can explain how ERISA applies to your case and develop a strategy aimed at securing the benefits you’re entitled to.
A long-term disability lawyer can help by:
- Collecting detailed evidence to show your Sun Life disability claim is valid
- Countering any bad-faith claim denial tactics used by Sun Life and its attorneys
- Preparing a strong and comprehensive appeal
- Exploring other options, like filing a second appeal or a Sun Life disability lawsuit
By working with an attorney experienced in handling Sun Life Financial disability claims, you can increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Steps to Appeal a Sun Life Disability Denial
Disability attorneys understand the emotional and financial stress you may feel when your Sun Life long-term disability is denied, so they handle all aspects of an appeal. With a skilled legal team fighting on your behalf, you can focus on your health and well-being.
The basic process of working with a lawyer to appeal a Sun Life disability claim denial includes several key steps.
1. Get a Free Consultation
Reach out to LawFirm.com for a free case review. From there, we’ll see if we can connect you with a disability insurance lawyer in our network who has experience appealing Sun Life Financial disability claims.
The Sun Life attorneys in our network never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees, so there’s no financial risk to work with them.
2. Gather Evidence for a Sun Life Long-Term Disability Appeal
Your lawyer and a team of paralegals and medical experts will collect evidence to build a strong case showing you’re entitled to Sun Life disability insurance benefits.
Evidence for a Sun Life LTD appeal may include your:
- Job description
- Medical records and test results
- Statement from your treating physician about your health condition
- Sun Life Financial disability insurance policy
Your legal team will use this information to fix any shortcomings in your initial Sun Life disability claim and show that you’re entitled to benefits.
3. Submit an Appeal of Your Sun Life Disability Claim
Your lawyer will send your appeal to Sun Life Financial before any deadlines and communicate with the insurer going forward, saving you time and stress. They will keep you updated about your Sun Life disability claim status.
Your attorney may be able to file a second appeal of your Sun Life Financial long-term disability denial if the first one is rejected.
4. File a Sun Life Long-Term Disability Lawsuit
If the insurer still refuses to change its mind, your lawyer may be able to file a lawsuit to pursue benefits. They can fight for a Sun Life disability claim settlement or present your case in federal court, if needed.
Money from a settlement for Sun Life Financial claims can help with your medical expenses, basic costs of living, and more while you’re unable to work. This financial support can bring peace of mind, allowing you to rest and recover without any distractions.
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if an experienced attorney may be able to help you seek long-term disability benefits from Sun Life.
Reasons for Sun Life Disability Claims Denials
Similar to many other insurance companies, Sun Life often uses certain tactics to get out of paying the money it owes. This shortchanges policyholders who paid for coverage, passing along those savings to shareholders.
Common reasons for denial of Sun Life Financial disability claims include:
- Claiming you have a pre-existing condition
- Insisting you haven’t submitted enough evidence to show you’re disabled
- Relying on video surveillance to prove you’re not as sick as you say
- Saying you missed deadlines or didn’t fill out paperwork correctly
- Using its own medical experts to claim you don’t have a qualifying medical condition
Sun Life has thousands of employees, including claims adjusters and attorneys who are focused on finding flaws with legitimate claims to avoid paying long-term disability benefits.
An experienced Sun Life disability claim lawyer can help even the playing field and fight for the benefits you’re entitled to.
Get Help Appealing a Sun Life Disability Claim Denial
Receiving a Sun Life long-term disability insurance denial can be emotionally and financially devastating, especially when you’re facing a serious health issue.
LawFirm.com believes that insurance companies like Sun Life should keep their promises and abide by the terms of their disability policies. When they fail to do so, they should be held accountable.
We have a network of top disability lawyers who’ve recovered over $133 million for policyholders wrongfully denied their LTD benefits.
Our legal partners:
- Can help Sun Life policyholders and beneficiaries in all 50 states
- Handle all aspects of the Sun Life long-term disability appeal process
- Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to see if an experienced Sun Life lawyer may be able to fight hard for everything you deserve.
Sun Life Disability Claim Denial Lawyer FAQs
How do I appeal a Sun Life disability claim denial?
A Sun Life Financial disability claims attorney can build and file a strong appeal on your behalf to improve your chances of securing the benefits you deserve.
This includes:
- Reviewing Sun Life’s denial letter and explaining it to you in simple terms
- Developing a strategy to show that you deserve benefits
- Submitting paperwork for your appeal along with supporting evidence
- Keeping you updated on your Sun Life Financial disability claim status
Get a free case review to see if we can connect you with a top Sun Life lawyer near you.
How long does Sun Life long-term disability last?
How long Sun Life Financial long-term disability benefits last depends on your health issues and Sun Life insurance policy terms.
Long-term disability benefits typically continue until you are able to return to work or reach your maximum benefit period. This could be a specific number of years or when you reach a certain age or retirement.
A long-term disability lawyer can help you understand the terms of your policy and take action if your benefits have been wrongfully denied.
Why would Sun Life deny my disability claim?
Reasons for Sun Life Financial disability claims denials can vary, but in some cases, the company may be acting in bad faith — preventing you from getting benefits to keep profits up.
Sun Life may deny claims due to:
- A lack of medical evidence supporting the disability insurance claim
- Pre-existing conditions excluded from policy coverage
- Social media posts appearing to contradict the seriousness of your disability
- Submission of inaccurate or incomplete information
A Sun Life disability claim denial lawyer may be able to file an appeal on your behalf and fight for the benefits you deserve.
Call (888) 726-9160 now to get started.
How long does it take for Sun Life to pay out?
Sun Life says it pays long-term disability claims on a monthly basis once your claim is approved.
However, if your Sun Life insurance long-term disability benefits have been delayed or denied, a lawyer may be able to step in and pursue the benefits you’re owed.

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore
Rae Theodore is a writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience in legal publishing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Pennsylvania State University.
- Sokolove Law. (2025, March 10). “Sun Life Long-Term Disability Denial.” Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.sokolovelaw.com/disability-insurance-denial/long-term-disability-denial/insurance-providers/sun-life/
- Sun Life. (2023, July 24). “What is disability insurance?” Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.sunlife.ca/en/health/disability-insurance/
- Sun Life. (n.d.). “History of Sun Life Financial.” Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.sunlife.com/content/dam/sunlife/regional/global-marketing/documents/com/pa_e_History_of_SLF.pdf