What Your Doctor Needs to Know before Filing an OCF 3

After an Ontario car accident, your physician will be asked to complete a Disability Certificate  OCF-3 by your accident benefit insurer.

The Disability Certificate OCF 3 is of vital importance to your entire claim for accident benefits.  As a result, it is very important that your doctor consider the following when completing the form:

• Every single injury from the accident should be listed on the form, including any cognitive, emotional, mental health or psychological issues.  Many doctors only include physical injuries on the initial form which may compromise your ability to get therapy down the road if you need it.
• If there is a tear or a muscle or ligament, the doctor should indicate whether it is partial or complete.  Because of the law governing accident benefits, there is a big difference in what therapy is available for only a partial tear.
• If you have whiplash, the doctor should indicate if neurological injuries are suspected.  Are you getting headaches?  Is the pain radiating down your arm?  Is your face numb?   All of this should be accounted for.
• Do you have any pre-existing conditions that could make it more difficult for you to recover from your injuries?  For example, do you have pre-existing anxiety or depression?  Make sure your doctor knows and completes this on the space allocated for that information on the OCF-3.
• Make sure your doctor knows that the insurer will pay for the completed OCF-3.