A catastrophic injury can happen at any time and have substantial consequences to someone’s life and on the victim’s family.
In addition to the impact on the victim’s health, there can be significant medical and rehabilitation expenses as well as the ability to continue earning income.
Further, everyday activities may prove challenging and a victim may require everyday care. It is important to realize that some of the impact may not be obvious initially and it may take time to fully assess how the injury may affect the victim’s income and quality of life.
What Qualifies As A Catastrophic Injury?
In order to qualify for catastrophic accident benefits, your injuries must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Paralysis, either partial or total
- Amputation or loss of function in a limb
- Blindness
- Brain injury
- Debilitating psychiatric conditions that prevent normal function
- A combination of conditions that result in at least 55 percent impairment of your functioning
- a class four or five impairment due to mental or behavioural disorders.
A reference to the definition by the Government of Ontario is found here.
Determining whether your injury can be considered as catastrophic is complex. It is important that you contact someone who is experienced in assessing these cases.
