Medical and
Rehabilitation Benefits in Ontario
The financial and emotional stress involved while you recover from an
accident or illness can be overwhelming. One of the chief concerns may be
whether you’re eligible for medical and rehabilitation benefits during
recovery.
Injured in
an Accident
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important to contact a
personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer can help you navigate through all the
paperwork and find the medical and rehabilitation benefits that can help your
recovery. That includes your immediate expenses, such as medication and
physiotherapy, and possible future expenses, such as home care or extended
medical treatments that may not be covered by provincial healthcare.
If the injured person is unable to contact a lawyer due to medical
treatment or the severity of his or her injuries, the person in charge of the
injured person’s healthcare should contact a lawyer on his/her behalf.
The
Law Society
of Upper Canada can refer victims of accidents to a few places where they
can make their claims. The first place is the insurance company of the person
at fault. You’re under no obligation to talk to the insurance adjuster and
should let your lawyer handle any questions from the company. If the person at
fault isn’t insured, you can file a claim with the Financial Services
Commission of Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund. If the accident
happened at work or while you were working, you may be able to file a claim
with the
Workplace Safety
and Insurance Board since the organization has a compensation system for
workers who have been injured on the job. With so many options, it can be
confusing. Your lawyer can point you in the right direction and help you file
the papers necessary for your claim.
Paying
Health Care-Related Costs
If you’re worried about medical and rehabilitation benefits because you
want to ensure that you can cover your medical costs, it’s important to know
what you will and won’t have to pay for as you recover.
If you were in a
motor
vehicle accident, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has a
list of those responsible for any
associated medical and homecare costs. According to Ontario’s Statutory
Accident Benefit Schedule, the insurance company of the person at fault is
required to pay for any non-professional health care services you may need.
Non-professional health care services include meal preparation, support for
caregivers, help with home repairs and childcare, transportation and providing
access to social and recreational services that you need. If you have a
temporary or physical disability, you’re also entitled to receive help with
personal hygiene, chores like laundry and other personal care tasks.
The Ministry of Health and Long-term Care pays for doctors, hospital
services, air ambulance transport, mental health facilities and some other
professional services like speech-language pathology, nursing and occupational
therapy.
The Canada
Pension Plan Disability Benefit
If you’re suffering from a severe illness or disability that prevents
you from working, you may be eligible for the
CPP
Disability Benefit. You have to be under 65, have a severe and prolonged
illness or disability and have met contribution guidelines.
If you’re worried about medical and rehabilitation benefits because of
a disability or illness, contact a lawyer experienced in personal injuries
and long term disability cases.