Before this change in legislation, people who suffer the most serious injuries in car accidents (called “catastrophic injuries,” which include things like brain injury, loss of multiple limbs, quadriplegia, etc.) had access to up to $2 million in coverage for their medical, rehabilitation and attendant care needs. As of June 1, 2016, the coverage has been lowered to a maximum of $1 million.
Several other benefits have also been reduced, including a 25% cut to the basic coverage available for “everyone else” whose injuries are not catastrophic, a 50% cut in the amount of time you have to access your benefits, and a massive cut to the benefit payable to people who suffer severe, life-changing injuries but weren’t working at the time of the accident.
On June 15th, local personal injury lawyers were featured on the Bill Kelly Show on CHML for a panel discussion about how these changes will hurt Ontarians who are injured in car accidents. From Burlington, Martin & Hillyer lawyer Laura Hillyer was featured, along with Hamilton lawyers Andrew Spurgeon and Rebecca Wissenz. Listen to the whole discussion below:
