A catastrophic injury in Ontario is an extreme impairment arising from a car accident or any other type of serious accident.
The majority of catastrophic injuries include:
• Paraplegia or quadriplegia;
• Amputation of a limb resulting in total and permanent loss or use;
• Severe brain injury;
• Total loss of vision in both eyes.
Those involved in a catastrophic injury will require medical treatment, rehabilitation, assistance with housekeeping and personal care. These expenses can be a large burden on the individual or their family.
Some people assume the insurance company will pay all of their bills and make a fair offer of damages. In reality, insurance companies are profit-driven businesses that often try to settle personal injury claims for as little money as the victim will accept.
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury in Ontario, a personal injury lawyer can help you and your family receive Ontario accident benefits and compensation you need to rebuild your life.
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What Constitutes Catastrophic
Injury in Ontario
Being in a serious accident is traumatic. Injuries sustained from such
an accident can be so bad that they are defined under the law as
"catastrophic”. A catastrophic injury in Ontario includes traumatic brain
injury, loss of a limb, paraplegia, quadriplegia, spinal cord injury and other
injuries that result in a 55 percent impairment according to the American
Medical Association (AMA) Guidelines.
If your injury is deemed as catastrophic, you may be eligible for the
following benefits:
- Enhanced medical-rehabilitation;
- housekeeping costs;
- Attendant care.
A catastrophically impaired individual is also entitled to a case
manager, a health professional and often a nurse or occupational therapist.
However, in Ontario, qualifying for catastrophic impairment can be very
difficult and the vast majority of cases do not meet the definition of
catastrophic. Insurance companies and accident victims can fight for years on
end over whether or not the injuries meet the definition of "catastrophic”.
Lawyers that Understand
Catastrophic Injury
Sokoloff Lawyers have seen first-hand how difficult it is to cope with
sudden catastrophic injury. Often, those who have experienced a catastrophic
injury are not suffering alone, as their families are also impacted. Many
individuals who have suffered a serious injury require long-term rehabilitation
or care and supervision for the rest of their lives, placing enormous demands
on family members.
It’s a personal injury lawyer’s duty to ensure you
receive the proper compensation for your injury and to help you and your family
get back to living life again.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in
Ontario, Sokoloff Lawyers can help you get the support, compensation and care
you need to start enjoying a comfortable quality of life.