Catastrophic injuries change a life forever, preventing the person injured from returning to their former life, their career, as well as their hobbies, lifestyle, either temporarily or permanently. 

Any injury that causes long-term, life-changing disabilities or limitations is considered a catastrophic injury. Even if the effects of an injury aren’t permanent, it doesn’t mean it isn’t catastrophic. When an injury leaves the victim even temporarily disabled, preventing them from returning to work or their everyday life, it is catastrophic. Some of these include:

• Paralysis
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Amputation
• Loss of hearing
• Loss of vision
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back and shoulder injuries
• Neck injuries
• Severe burns
• Broken bones and fractures

Accepted for admission on an in-patient basis at a public hospital named in a Superintendent Guideline with positive findings on a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or any other medically-recognized brain diagnostic technology indicating intracranial pathology.

Admitted on an in-patient basis to a program of neurological rehabilitation in a pediatric rehabilitation facility that is a member of the Ontario Association of Children’s Rehabilitation Services.

Other injuries may also be deemed catastrophic; however, they must be confirmed by medical assessments based on specific diagnostic guidelines. Understanding which criteria apply in each case is essential for securing the maximum available benefits. These injuries include:

A catastrophically impaired individual is entitled to up to $1,000,000 in accident benefits (health/rehab and attendant care), versus only $65,000 if they are deemed non-catastrophic. The insurance company has a lot of money on the line and thus they will try their hardest to insure that a catastrophic impairment designation is not reached.

How does one beat this? By having trial Lawyers on their side. It is not in the Insurance companies’ best interest to go to trial. Insurance companies also know which law firms have the funds to retain excellent specialists physicians, neuropsychologists and other health professionals to conduct comprehensive assessments on the catastrophic impairment issue. 

Our catastrophic injury Lawyers have decades of experience when it comes to building strong relationships with medical professionals and are highly respected by them.

An individual who sustains severe injuries from a motor vehicle accident has the right to sue the responsible party for damages. The tort system is designed to restore the injured party to the financial position they would have been in had the injury never occurred.

The following damages can be recovered: 

• Loss of past income
• Loss of future income
• Cost of attendant care and future care
• Housekeeping and home maintenance
• Special damages
• General damages for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life

Catastrophic injury cases are notoriously difficult to win. Between the wily tactics of insurance companies and the difficulty of proving fault, many victims are tempted to walk away with a small payout. 

Boland Romaine Lawyers have extensive experience managing claims involving catastrophic injuries. To secure maximum benefits, it is crucial to hold insurance companies accountable for their responsibilities to injured individuals. Choosing the right Lawyer means making evidence based decisions. Look into your Lawyers trial experience, would you think an insurance company would want to go head to head with them? Litigating a catastrophic injury case requires pursuing a hearing for a catastrophic determination by an adjudicator. It is essential that your personal injury Lawyer has the reputation as trial Lawyers in the insurance industry and for their preparedness and effectiveness in advocating at such hearings if necessary.

There are three different levels of severity for accident benefits, with each level giving access to more benefits. The three levels, from least to most serious are:

• The Minor Injury Guideline (MIG): individuals who fall under the MIG are only entitled to up to $3,500 for their medical-rehabilitation needs.
• Non-Catastrophic Impairment (non-CAT): an individual who does not fall into the MIG and who does not qualify for a catastrophic impairment will be deemed to be non-catastrophic. They will have up to $65,000 for their medical-rehabilitation needs and attendant care funding.
• Catastrophic Impairment (CAT): an individual who is deemed catastrophically injured is entitled to up to $1,000,000 for their medical-rehabilitation needs and attendant care funding.