Personal Injury Lawyers Since 1999

HOWARD YEGENDORF & ASSOCIATES

Catastrophic Injury
Lawyer Ottawa

There can be a number of causes for a catastrophic injury that generally affects the brain, skull, spine or spinal cord or vital organs.

Personal Injury Lawyers

Let a Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Ottawa
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  • Common types of catastrophic injuries

    If you or a loved one has suffered any of the injuries mentioned below, speak to a 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 good time.

    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 provided to substantiate claims and classify an injury as catastrophic.

    Under the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS), 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. 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.

    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
    • 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 Causes

    A catastrophic injury has a life-altering impact and can occur in a variety of ways. Some of the most common causes include motor vehicle collisions, construction site accidents, boat crashes, medical malpractice, sports accidents or intentional acts of violence.

    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 in which you would be expected to fully recover from. 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.

  • 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 that 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, 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.

    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.

    If you suffered a catastrophic impairment in a traffic accident prior to June 2016, you were eligible to receive up to $2 million in benefits. However, the law has changed and the maximum medical and rehabilitation benefits were 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.

  • How Can a Catastrophic Lawyers in Ottawa Help You

    You don’t need anyone to tell you of the devastating effects of a catastrophic injury for you or a loved one. Life-changing injuries caused by major accidents cause monetary hardships in addition to the pain and suffering. And, unfortunately, after such an injury, survivors have the burden of dealing with the legalities. Catastrophic lawyers in Ottawa can help you develop well-grounded and comprehensive claims, so you are not cheated of a rightful settlement.

    Given the huge financial implications such injuries usually have on the victims, a personal injury settlement or judgment needs to account for the long-term needs of the accident victims and their dependents. It is also important that they obtain proper rehabilitation and support during their recovery period to help them maintain their quality of life.

    A qualified catastrophic injury lawyer in Ottawa can ensure you are compensated for the damages sustained, such as lost income, pain, and suffering, health care costs, the cost of aid or attendant, and home modifications, if any. It’s crucial to get legal advice right after your injury so that your lawyer can help you properly document your injuries and assist you in building a strong case.

    Rights to fair compensation are compromised in car accident cases due to certain legislative changes concerning medical benefits available through your insurer. As such, it’s important for victims and their families to work with experienced lawyers to ensure that they can rightfully claim their benefits. The catastrophic injury lawyers at Yegendorf Law Firm know how to navigate complex injury cases and can provide valuable support during the legal process. Our deep understanding of the processes and requirements needed to strengthen a claim benefits our clients and allows us to win claims and disputes for them.

  • Let a Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Ottawa Defend Your Rights

    Catastrophic Injuries

    At Yegendorf Rashid, our clients include individuals with catastrophic or severe physical injuries whose lives are forever altered. After a major accident, victims may have pain and suffering for the remainder of their lives, including damage to the brain, spine or other parts of the nervous system.

    In addition to tremendous physical pain from the injury, accident victims often feel lost and confused personally and emotionally. Victims need to focus on recovering and regaining peace of mind while we fight for their rights.

    Get in touch with us – We’ll come to you

    Should you prefer our legal team meets you in your office or at home, kindly give us a call and we will be happy to assist.

    You can reach us on 613-237-5000 or 1-866-303-5118 to schedule a free consultation or discuss your legal options.

5 REASONS TO CHOOSE YEGENDORF RASHID LAW FIRM

  • Decades Of Experience In Helping Victims Of Traffic Accidents

    Our personal injury law firm has decades of experience helping victims of traffic accidents. Our lawyers are experts at handling claims and supporting victims and their families to get the maximum compensation and benefits due to them. We provide counsel regarding documentation, procedures, and everything related to your case that can help strengthen your claim.
  • Empathetic and Understanding Team

    Our lawyers are not just cognizant of personal injury laws, but they are also aware of the nitty gritties of healthcare and insurance systems. As such, we help clients navigate meetings with insurance providers and healthcare professionals. We understand that the road to recovery is a long and difficult process and do our best to help clients focus on getting better even as we work on securing the best possible terms for them.
  • Protecting Clients’ Rights

    At Yegendorf Rashid, our team of catastrophic injury lawyers represents victims and families whose lives have been upended by devastating and fatal accidents. We understand that filing a claim can be a challenging ordeal for victims and their families on top of the trauma of the accident. We take care of the groundwork and present claims substantiated with thorough research. We seek to cover damages, including long-term medical care, physical and vocational rehabilitation, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
  • Specializing In Serious Injuries

    Our catastrophic injury lawyers focus on cases involving brain and spinal cord injuries and wrongful death. Claims related to these injuries are tough to go through, and our lawyers understand these complexities. Our goal is to help you focus on your healing even as we build a strong case for you and your loved ones. We provide counsel that is committed, empathetic, and trustworthy. You can trust our lawyers to support you and provide excellent counsel when you need it the most.
  • Claims & Disputes Winners

    At Yegendorf Rashid, we have the experience and resources to deal with complex litigations against businesses, negligent drivers, and even service providers like healthcare and insurance. Our strong track record and large client portfolio speak for themselves. We specialize in major claims involving car and truck accidents, defective products and services, medical malpractices, wrongful denial of insurance claims, etc.
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    Decades of Experience
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    Empathetic and Understanding Team
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    Protecting Clients’ Rights
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    Specializing In Serious Injuries
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    Claims & Disputes Winners

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Howard Yegendorf

of Our Ottawa Injury Law Firm

“Our results in catastrophic injury cases are measured in financial terms. But I have always felt that the true success in legal cases where lives have been shattered in an accident comes from a compassionate and thorough understanding of the deeply human costs involved.“
Howard Yegendorf, Founding Partner