Albertan long-term disability (LTD) claimants have a new ally in their fight to obtain benefits: personal injury lawyer Nainesh Kotak.
Kotak, the principal at Kotak Personal Injury Law, recently celebrated the opening of the firm’s new Calgary and Edmonton locations, boosting its office count to five, including its existing sites in Mississauga, Brampton, and Toronto.
“We have had a lot of success in Ontario, but it’s important to us to help people in need, wherever they are in the country,” Kotak says. “We can’t wait to get started providing assistance to Albertans having difficulties getting their claims approved by disability insurers.”
Advocating for Albertans
Kotak says Alberta’s large, hardworking and diverse labour force — concentrated in fields such as energy and tourism — made the province a perfect candidate for the firm’s first office outside Ontario.
“Each of these industries has unique challenges and struggles for workers that we can help with,” he says. “Many people who are suffering from mental health challenges — including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder — are having their claims denied or terminated because insurers say there is insufficient medical evidence to support their claim. Our lawyers are committed to advocating for them, to ensure they get the benefits they need.”
Although Kotak was able to practise in Alberta under lawyer mobility agreements in place between provincial law societies across Canada, he felt it was important to receive his call to the Bar in Alberta as a demonstration of his commitment to clients in the province.
He also has strong personal connections to the province, which is home to several family members of both Kotak and his wife Susan, an Albertan born and bred.
Kotak was formally enrolled as a member of the Law Society of Alberta on Nov. 14, 2022, after taking an Oath before Justice Harris of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.
Moving cases forward
Although the location may be novel to the firm, Kotak says Albertan clients can expect the same no-nonsense approach that has made Kotak Law the go-to law firm for injured workers in Ontario with LTD issues.
“People who have been denied disability benefits are often in an extremely difficult financial situation, and our philosophy is to move cases forward quickly so that they aren’t stuck in limbo while their case drags on forever,” he explains. “When your home is in jeopardy and you’re struggling to make ends meet, you don’t have time to waste.
“We find that proceeding quickly to litigation is more effective at focussing the insurer’s attention and moving the case along,” he says.
Wealth of experience
Since receiving his call to the bar in Ontario in 1994, Kotak has acted for clients in a wide variety of personal injury and LTD matters, conducting trials with or without juries at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice the Ontario Court of Justice, as well as in appeals at the Federal Court. He has also represented injury victims in proceedings before the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and the Social Security Tribunal.
Outside of the courtroom, Kotak serves as chair of the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association’s Long-Term Disability Section, as well as its working group for the formation of a Diversity and Inclusion Caucus. He also features regularly in televised, print and radio interviews on the subjects of personal injury law and LTD claims.
Kotak has also made a name for himself in the local community, as a supporter of the Wounded Warriors Kids Program — assisting with the mental health of children of ill and injured Veterans and First Responders — and as the organizer of the Kotak Law Military Appreciation Day, which brought 1000 troops, veterans and cadets together for a professional hockey game on Remembrance Day each year between 2015 and 2019.
To start your own LTD claim journey, contact Kotak Law at one of its new Alberta locations:
- 2505 Macleod Trail, Suite 210, Calgary, Alberta T2G 5J4. Phone: (403) 319-0071
- Suite 1440, First Edmonton Place, 10665 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3S9. Phone: (587) 414-1010
KOTAK PERSONAL INJURY LAW/DISABILITY LAWYERS CAN HELP YOU
We understand that being denied short-term disability or long-term disability benefits can be devastating. Your time to fight your disability insurance company is limited. Please do not delay in calling a short- and long-term disability claim lawyer at Kotak Personal Injury Law. We have successfully sued numerous disability insurance companies including Manulife, Sunlife, Desjardins, Cigna, Great-West Life, Equitable Life, Empire Life, London Life, Blue Cross, AIG, SSQ, RBC, Industrial Alliance, Canada Life, Fenchurch, OTIP, Teachers Life and more.
Call your trusted long-term disability lawyers at 1-888-GOKOTAK (Toll Free for all of Canada), or (416) 816-1500 (Local Number for Ontario Residents), (403) 319-0071, (587) 414-1010 (Local Numbers for Alberta Residents). Our consultation is free, and we don’t get paid until you do. We represent disabled people throughout Ontario and Alberta, including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, Georgetown, Orangeville, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, St.Catharines, Niagara Falls, Stoney Creek, Kitchener/Waterloo, Cambridge, London, Windsor, Markham, Pickering, Oshawa, Peterborough, Keswick, Kingston, Ottawa, Banff, Brooks, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Jasper, Lake Louise, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Saint Albert and other locations.
