Personal Injury Lawyers Since 1999
If you or a loved one has suffered any of the injuries mentioned below, speak to an Ottawa personal injury lawyer immediately:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries including quadriplegia and paraplegia
- Fatalities
- Amputations
- Serious scarring and disfigurement, including burns
- Fractures and broken bones
For 30 years now, we’ve worked with thousands of personal injury victims who have suffered accidents that altered their lives forever. Our experience in handling catastrophic injury cases is massive, and we will get you the compensation you deserve in a timely manner.
Catastrophic injuries typically result in long-lasting or, in many cases, lifelong damages to the victim, making it more imperative that they seek compensation.
According to the law, for an injury to be classified as catastrophic, it has to fall under the prescribed thresholds. Tests must be conducted, and medical evidence must be provided to substantiate claims and classify an injury as catastrophic.
Under the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) devs, plz, make this <– a no follow link (and erase this note afterwards), a catastrophic injury is one that renders a person’s whole body physically impaired by a 55% impairment threshold. This threshold is determined by a medical professional.
Having an injury classified correctly is important because it will determine the insurance compensation and benefits that an injured person can avail of. At Yegendorf Law Firm, we treat clients with catastrophic injuries with special care because we understand that recovery is their top priority.
We know that legal procedures can be tedious and complicated, especially for someone with serious injuries and their family. One of the challenges that catastrophic injury claimants face is fulfilling the requirements and tests needed to successfully file a claim, on top of dealing with medical procedures. For 30 years now, we’ve worked with thousands of personal injury victims who have suffered accidents that permanently altered their lives. Our experience in handling catastrophic injury cases is considerable, and we will get you the compensation you deserve in good time.
We meticulously review medical records to build a strong case for our clients. Whether dealing with spinal injuries or collaborating with an occupational therapist, our team ensures all aspects of your recovery are considered.
Dealing with the aftermath of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, or other motor vehicle accidents can be overwhelming. It’s important to consult with an experienced lawyer to understand your rights and options. The personal injury lawyers at Yegendorf Rashid Law Firm offer a free consultation to help victims navigate their claims. Our team of Ottawa personal injury lawyers is dedicated to securing the compensation you deserve for your losses.
If you or a loved one have suffered any of the injuries mentioned below, speak to an Ottawa personal injury lawyer immediately:
- Brain Injuries: Injuries to the brain resulting in a decline of cognitive functions; Scale is determined by a medical professional based on the Glasgow Coma Scale devs, plz, make this <– a no follow link (and erase this note afterwards)
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the back, spinal cord, and vertebrae resulting in permanent, often lifelong injuries; Includes cases of quadriplegia and paraplegia
- Fatalities: Accidents that cause loss of life; Additional claims may be filed under a wrongful death lawsuit
- Amputations: Severe injuries that result in the loss of a limb or an organ
- Serious Scarring and Disfigurement: Injuries that cause extensive scarring and burns; May require therapy and/or cosmetic rehabilitation for physical and emotional traumas
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Injuries to bones that result in temporary or permanent paralysis; May require rehabilitation and/or long-term care
Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Ottawa & Personal Injury Causes
A catastrophic injury can dramatically change a person’s life and may result from various incidents. Common causes may include a motor vehicle accident that results in medical expenses and is owed a thorough legal process, a truck accident, auto accident, bicycle accident, long-term disability claims of all sorts as well as other types of personal injury claims such as an accident claim, insurance disputes, car accidents, construction site mishaps, boating accidents, medical malpractice, sports-related injuries, or intentional acts of violence.
In such cases, it’s crucial to seek the expertise of personal injury lawyers. An Ottawa personal injury lawyer from Yegendorf Rashid can help navigate the legal complexities of dealing with your insurance company and ultimately ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, as well as other litigation outcomes you may require.
Suffered injuries in a car accident or other form of catastrophic injury? Let us help ensure your financial well-being, both for yourself and your family members. Most personal injury lawyers in Ottawa tend to take on a wide variety of cases. With our team, there are no cases or personal injury circumstances that may be too big or small. We understand the financial and emotional toll that an accident can have on a person’s life and are committed to fighting for your rights.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Ottawa vs. Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Suffering a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence is devastating enough, causing discomfort and interrupting the flow of daily life. However, a catastrophic injury has long-lasting repercussions, impacting your ability to work and enjoy life as you once did.
The difference between a personal injury lawyer and a catastrophic injury lawyer lies in the severity of injuries that they handle. While personal injury lawyers deal with a wide range of injuries caused by accidents, catastrophic injury lawyers specialize in cases where the victim has sustained life-altering or permanently disabling injuries.
What is Considered a Non-Catastrophic Injury?
Catastrophic injuries are those with long-term symptoms that may be permanent. A non-catastrophic injury is generally considered to be one that is neither minor nor catastrophic and one from which you would be expected to recover fully. Differentiating between a catastrophic and non-catastrophic injury can be complex, which is why you should seek legal advice from a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer.
Personal Injury Lawyers Handling Complex Cases
At Yegendorf Rashid, our team of personal injury lawyers brings vast experience in handling complex cases that result in catastrophic injuries. We understand the challenges and emotional toll these injuries can have on individuals and their families, and we are committed to providing compassionate and effective legal representation. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve to cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from your injury.
A skilled catastrophic injury lawyer will understand the complexities involved in the aforementioned cases and have a deep understanding of how best to advocate for their client’s rights and needs. They will also have access to resources such as medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists to help build a strong case on your behalf.
What Is A Catastrophic Impairment?
Catastrophic impairments (CAT) cover markedly serious cases wherein claimants suffer grave injuries. CAT ensures that victims are properly compensated and covered by their accident benefits provider. Persons who qualify for a CAT classification are entitled to more insurance damages due to the gravity of their injuries.
How Do You Qualify for a CAT Classification?
Assessments to qualify for a CAT classification are done by a medical professional. Based on the Ontario SABS devs, plz, make this <– a no follow link (and erase this note afterwards), specific tests will have to be carried out to determine if a person’s injuries qualify as a catastrophic impairment,
Seeking professional legal help, such as the services of a catastrophic injury lawyer, will help an injured person navigate these assessments and requirements.
Our extensive experience in catastrophic impairment cases allows us to provide expert advice to our clients. Also, our firm has established relationships with medical experts who can provide excellent medical counsel and help the injured person understand where their injuries fall on the assessment scale.
CAT includes the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paraplegia and tetraplegia
- Loss of vision
- Amputation
- Impairment of 55% of the whole body
- Impairment of 55% of the whole person (includes physical, mental, and behavioral components)
- Class 4 impairments in three or more areas of function
- Class 5 extreme impairment in one or more areas of function
Compensation for CAT
Catastrophic impairment cases may qualify for up to $6000 in attendant care benefits. Medical and rehabilitation benefits may go up to $1,000,000. There is a vast difference in the amount and benefits awarded to CAT and non-CAT cases. For instance, the maximum benefit for medical and rehabilitation costs for non-CAT cases is only up to $65,000. Our examination involves medical records, medical bills, disability benefits and more to arrive at a justifiable legal claim.
Injured persons under the CAT category may further qualify for additional benefits, such as caregiver benefits, transportation, and home maintenance. Knowing what benefits you or a loved one is entitled to is crucial, and this is where a catastrophic injury lawyer can help.
CAT Benefit Limit
In Ontario, the benefit limit was reduced to $1 million total coverage for CAT cases, including medical and rehabilitation benefits and attendant care benefits. However, individuals may still qualify for additional benefits depending on their case.
While catastrophic injuries may not always be life-threatening, they often require the survivor to make various lifestyle changes. So, victims are entitled to seek compensation not just for physical and financial damages but emotional damages too.
Changes to Catastrophic Impairment Law in Canada
The Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) is mandatory no-fault auto insurance coverage that is included with all basic policies in Ontario. SABS is regulated under the Ontario Insurance Act and includes a schedule of standard accident benefits claims.
If you suffered a catastrophic impairment in a traffic accident (motor vehicle collisions) prior to June 2016, you were eligible to receive up to $2 million in benefits per the merits of your personal injury case. However, the law has changed, and the maximum medical and rehabilitation benefits have been reduced to $1 million. It should be noted, however, that drivers can pay an additional premium and bump that coverage to $2 million.
Another change affects non-earner benefits. Prior to 2016, non-earners such as retirees or stay-at-home parents were eligible for benefits that were paid for life. Now, those benefits are paid for only two years with weekly $185 payments for those who are catastrophically injured. Definitions were also revised under the schedule for behavioural impairment, amputations, traumatic brain injury, mental impairment and loss of vision.
Determining what benefits you are entitled to can be confusing but we can guide you through this complex process.
