Catastrophic Injuries

Commonly caused by motorcycle and car accidents, boat accidents, pedestrian-motorist collisions, and cycling-motorist accidents, catastrophic impairment is an injury of a more permanent nature that causes dire physical harm but also emotional and economic distress. This category of injuries implies that the social, leisure, vocational, familial, cognitive and emotional wellbeing of the injured party and their loved ones has been significantly altered. 

If you or a loved one has suffered one of the following injuries in an accident, you may qualify as catastrophically impaired and you are entitled to substantial benefits far beyond what is covered by OHIP:

• A severe spinal injury that has led to paraplegia or tetraplegia
• An amputation or total loss of an arm or a leg
• Permanent and total loss of vision in both eyes
• A severe brain injury
• A behavioral or mental disorder that causes extreme impairment
• A combination of impairments that has led to catastrophic impairment

A catastrophic impairment drastically reduces the ability to function in daily activities and other important capacities. Because the wellbeing of the injured as well as that of those around them is greatly disturbed by catastrophic impairment, people suffering these injuries are entitled to more substantial compensation than those who suffer minor injuries. Compensation often includes financial assistance for income replacement, medical and rehabilitative care, as well as assistive devices. A catastrophically impaired person can seek compensation for combined medical, rehab, and attendant care to a limit of $1 million. 

If a physician has evaluated your injury and determined that you are suffering more than 55% WPI (whole person impairment) as a direct result of your injuries, you should seek professional legal counsel to evaluate your options and get you the financial help that you and your family need. In the case you had a condition or impairment prior to the accident that was made worse by the accident, you may still qualify as catastrophically impaired and should seek both medical evaluation and professional legal assistance. 

As of June 1, 2016, the Ontario Legislature changed the regulations surrounding the definition of catastrophic impairment. It is now more difficult than ever to receive a diagnosis of catastrophic impairment. Personal Injury lawyer Vishal Sharma can help you decipher what you are entitled to in terms of benefits, compensation and ongoing assistance. With the guidance of Vishal Sharma in defining and building your claim, over $1,000,000 may be available to you over your lifetime. Before you call any insurance company, call Vishal Sharma to find out how you should proceed in a way that is best for you and your family.