Accident Benefit Lawyers and Weekly Benefits
Injured Ontarians and their families often suffer severe
financial instability following a motor vehicle accident. You may be unable to
work for some time after an accident due to physical or psychological injuries,
and this can leave your family without critical financial support. Sometimes
the injured person has been a caregiver for minor children or disabled persons,
which means that someone must be hired to take over their duties. Fortunately,
your insurance should have provisions for circumstances like this. If you or
someone you love has been injured in a car crash, accident benefits lawyers can
help you ascertain what types of benefits that your family is eligible for.
First, call a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible
following the accident; it’s important to get the process started early. Your
accident benefit lawyer will be able to advise you about the requirements that
must be met.
After you report your injuries, your insurer will request
the completion of an Application for Benefits Form (OCF-1.) This must be completed and sent to your insurance company
within thirty days of receipt of the form. In order to apply for income
replacement, caregiver or non-earner benefits, and the patient’s medical
personnel must complete the Disability Certificate (OCF-3,) which outlines the
injury and estimates how long treatment will last.
Income
Replacement Benefit
Standard insurance provides the possibility of income
replacement, up to $400/week. (If you’ve purchased additional coverage, this
payment may be as much as $600/week.) In order to qualify for this
benefit, you must be:
· Employed
on the date of the accident; or
· Not
currently employed, but worked 26 of the 52 weeks before the accident.
Payments are scheduled to begin within ten business days after
your completed application and disability certificate are received by your
insurance company. Payments will follow
if you remain unable to work. If your application is questioned or refused, you
will be sent a written explanation. (This often happens, but your personal
injury lawyer will be able to advise you as to how to proceed.)
If you were unemployed or were a full-time student, you
may be eligible for a non-earner benefit of $185/week.
Caregiver
Benefit
Recent changes to the law mean that applicants are no
longer able to receive caregiving benefits. You may be eligible for caregiving
benefits if you become substantially unable to engage in the caregiving
activities that you previously engaged in. Contact a lawyer to get more
information for more information.
This benefit is meant to help to pay for someone to help
with the caregiving duties you formerly performed. If you have a standard
policy, you will receive $250 per week for the first person, and $50 per week
for each additional person that you cared for.
Note that you may also qualify for Medical Benefits, Rehabilitation
Benefits, or Attendant Care Benefits. Applying for insurance benefits can be
extremely demanding and detailed, so it’s important to engage an accident
benefits lawyer who can guide you through the process. Make sure you get the
compensation you deserve.