If you, or a loved one, have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to understand the different levels of funding available to you. The funding you receive is dependent on the severity of your injuries; therefore, it is essential to recognize what your symptoms may mean so you can fight to obtain the appropriate funding.
It is critical to think “Brain First”. Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) are often missed because people attribute their symptoms to their more obvious injuries. It is only once the person has recovered from those injuries that their brain injury becomes more apparent. Knowing the symptoms can help you recognize the brain injury earlier on.
It is best to have a brain injury diagnosed from the beginning in order to receive the appropriate funding. With the right funding, your road to recovery will be financially supported.
3 Classifications of Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries in Ontario
1. Catastrophic Injury (CAT)
- Involves permanent injuries such as: paraplegia, quadriplegia, loss of vision in both eyes, certain brain impairments
- Lifetime medical and rehabilitation benefits coverage of up to 1 million dollars
2. Non-Catastrophic Injury (Non-CAT)
- Involves injuries that are not deemed catastrophic and that do not fall within the Minor Injury Guideline *for accidents on or after Sept. 1, 2010
- 10 years of medical and rehabilitation benefits coverage of up to $50,000
3. Minor Injury Guideline (MIG)
- Involves a defined set of minor injuries such as: sprains, strains, lacerations, abrasions
- Provides medical and rehabilitation benefits coverage of up to $3,500
- Limits certain types of medical assessments
As mentioned, if you suspect an mTBI following your motor vehicle accident, it is important to be diagnosed. Doing so will better ensure that you are classified outside of the MIG, resulting in more funding for your recovery. If you are initially put into the MIG, the process for moving from the MIG classification to the Non-CAT classification can be difficult, and the request is often denied.
If you are wrongly placed in MIG after suffering an mTBI in a motor vehicle accident, a lawyer who is knowledgeable about brain injury can be invaluable in helping you to move to Non-CAT funding.
Obtaining the right level of funding can help ease the burden of recovery. It is vital to have the support of someone who can recognize an mTBI and fight for you to receive the level of funding that you need.
For up-to-date information about Ontario accident benefit entitlements, please click here for the Financial Services Commission of Ontario website.
Over the next few months, we will be releasing more videos about mild traumatic brain injury.
Available now:
Check back with us for videos on the following mTBI topics:
- Finding the Right Team for Your Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
- Coping with the Emotional and Psychological Impact of a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
>> Roger R. Foisy is an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Ontario who has helped clients with brain injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury, please contact us today for immediate support and a free consultation.
*Roger R. Foisy has completed courses in Neurorehabilitation and Advanced Brain Injury Rehabilitation from Brock University. However, he is not a medical professional. The advice in this blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.
More on Brain Injury from Roger R. Foisy:
5 Reasons Why Substance Abuse is Linked to Brain Injury
Life Changes: Living with a Loved One Suffering from an mTBI
What are the Symptoms and Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
