Ottawa Lawyer | Changes to Ontario Accident Benefits

As a personal injury lawyer I know that if you have been injured in a car accident in Ontario, you have probably dealt with Ontario’s accident benefits.  These benefits are also known as “AB’s”, no-fault benefits, or SABS.  Starting September 1, 2010, there will be significant reductions of the benefits available to victims who have not topped up their policies.

The biggest change is a major reduction in the amount of funding available for medical and rehabilitation needs.  For people who are not automatically deemed catastrophic, the amount available drops from $100,000 to $50,000.  That’s right, the amount is cut in half!    It is going to be very important to manage that money very closely to ensure that your health needs are met as well as possible.

Another very serious change is the introduction of the cap on funds available to people who fit into the Minor Injury Guidelines (MIG).  If your injury falls into the MIG, you are limited to $3,500 for all your medical rehabilitation requirements.  That’s not much folks and the minor injuries are not all that minor.  You can fall into the MIG if your injuries are:

* a sprain  –> including a partial tear or a ligament or tendon!

*a strain  –>  including a partial muscle tear!

*whiplash –>unless it is a WAD 3 or includes a spinal fracture!

*contusion

*abraision

*laceration; or

*subluxation.

These are just some of the changes and they are coming your way.

Have questions about the Ontario Accident Benefits?  Contact us at 613-233-4529 to learn more.

About the Author: Brenda Hollingsworth

Brenda Hollingsworth co-founded Ottawa’s Auger Hollingsworth in 2005 with her husband Richard Auger. Together, their mission was to create a personal injury law firm for Eastern Ontario that is unrivalled in the province for customer service and legal expertise. Brenda was named an Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 award recipient and took home the Women’s Business Network’s Businesswoman of the Year award in the Professional category. She was also recognized as one of Ottawa Life Magazine’s “Top 50 People in the Capital.” She is often quoted as an expert and has appeared in media outlets such as CTV, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Ottawa Citizen, Sun Media, CBC, Toronto Star, Montreal Gazette, CFRA and many legal publications.

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