We Understand That a Catastrophic Injury Is Life-Altering
A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that results in long-term or permanent debilitations and can be caused by any violent impact to the body, especially motor vehicle accidents. Typically, a catastrophic injury affects the spine, spinal cord, vital organs, skull and brain, body parts and leaves a serious impairment.
We are often asked what types of injuries are legally considered catastrophic. In Ontario, a catastrophic injury is a significant impairment including paraplegia, quadriplegia, amputation or body impairment of at least 55%, complete loss of vision, brain damage, and severe mental or behavioral disorders. This impairment rating is typically completed 2 years following an accident, although in some cases it can be completed before the 2-year mark.
Injuries that are considered a catastrophic injury:
- Paraplegia or quadriplegia – paralysis that results in the partial or total loss of use of the limbs and torso;
- The amputation of an arm or a leg or another impairment causing the total and permanent loss of use of an arm or a leg;
- The total loss of vision in both eyes;
- Brain impairment that results in a score of 9 or less on the Glasgow Coma Scale, or a scale of 2 (vegetative) or 3 (severe disability) on the Glasgow Outcome Scale;
- Any impairment or combination of impairments that results in a 55 % or more impairment of the whole person;
- Any impairment that results in a class 4 impairment or class five impairment (extreme impairment) due to mental or behavioural disorder;
If your injury is deemed a catastrophic injury (amputations are), you are eligible for enhanced medical-rehabilitation benefits combined with attendant care benefits of up to $1,000,000 over your lifetime. You are also entitled to housekeeping benefits and visitor expenses (expenses incurred by your family members when visiting you). A catastrophically impaired individual is also entitled to a case manager, a health professional – often a nurse or occupational therapist, and other benefits.
Our lawyers understand a catastrophic injury also affects your family.
We have seen first hand how difficult it is to cope with sudden catastrophic injury. It’s common and human for people to experience depression and a loss of enjoyment of life. But often, people who are suffering from a catastrophic injury are not suffering alone, as their families are also impacted. Many people who have suffered such a serious injury require long-term rehabilitation or care and supervision for the rest of their lives. We know how these injuries can place enormous demands on family members, which is why it’s important to seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer who has experience with helping people with catastrophic injuries receive maximum compensation. We have this experience and can also help you receive help and support both inside and outside your home. It’s extremely important that you are properly compensated and cared for now and in the future. Permanent medical care is expensive and it’s imperative that you have everything you need to rebuild your life.
We care that you get the compensation and benefits you need.
It’s a personal injury lawyer’s duty to ensure you receive the proper compensation for your injury, but we’re also here to help you get back to living your life again. We can help ensure you get ALL the Ontario accident benefits you’re eligible for. People who suffer a catastrophic injury can receive medical rehabilitation for up to $1,000,000 and attendant care services up to $6,000/month and $1,000,000 over your lifetime, as well as compensation for housekeeping services and family visiting expenses. We make sure you get all of this and that you are being treated fairly.
We work with top Ontario medical professionals to determine what lasting care you’ll need by developing a long-term health care plan. We ensure that our clients and their families have access to a caseworker to manage their home care, facility care, medication, medical equipment, supervisory care, transportation, home renovations, and any other needs outlined in the health care plan. We understand this is an incredibly overwhelming time in your life. Let us help.
Common causes of a Catastrophic Injury:
A catastrophic injury can be caused by a variety of events. Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries are:
- Car accidents;
- Motorcycle accidents;
- Pedestrian/motorist collisions;
- Cycling/motorist collisions;
- Off-road vehicle (ATV) accidents.
Looking for a personal injury lawyer in Ottawa ? Contact us for a free consultation.
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, contact us free of charge to discuss how we can help you get the support, compensation, and care you need to start enjoying a comfortable quality of life. We will start immediately to get you the necessary benefits for your recovery and financial security for your future. We offer:
- Free, no-obligation, initial consultations;
- Hospital and in-home visits;
- Free parking;
- No fee unless and until resolution of the claim.
We understand, we care, we’re here to help and our track record proves it.
I would like to say thank you! You have an incredible team of professionals working along your side who provided help, support and advise when I needed it the most. Sincerely, CC
