Form 1: Assessment of Attendant Care
If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision and require attendant care to help you with your daily activities as a result, you may be entitled to attendant care benefits through your automobile insurance policy. All basic auto insurance plans include coverage for attendant care benefits, per Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).
In order to apply for attendant care benefits, your injuries must fall outside the parameters of the province’s Minor Injury Guideline, and you must be able to prove that you require the services of an attendant or personal support worker (PSW) to help you with necessary daily activities. To do so, you must be examined by an occupational therapist or registered nurse who can complete an Assessment of Attendant Care Needs (Form 1) for you to submit to your insurance provider.
Applying for attendant care benefits is not always a straightforward process. Here are some tips to help you complete this task:
TIP 1: UNDERSTAND THE AVAILABLE BENEFITS
Any attendant care benefits you receive will be determined by the severity of your injuries, the practical impacts they have on your ability to perform daily functions, and the level of insurance coverage you have. Basic auto insurance plans include the minimum amount of accident benefits coverage required by the SABS. The amount of combined benefits available to injured claimants is based on the kinds of injuries they have sustained.
The combined maximum amount of medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits included in basic insurance plans are as follows:
- Claimants who sustained non-minor, non-catastrophic injuries can receive a combined maximum of $3,000 per month for a maximum of 5 years from the date of their injury, up to a total of $65,000.
- Claimants who sustained catastrophic injuries can receive up to $1 million in combined benefits, paid monthly in increments of up to $6,000.
TIP 2: DETERMINE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR BENEFITS
Attendant care benefits are available to car accident survivors whose injuries prevent them from engaging in necessary self-care activities, such as:
- Eating
- Preparing meals
- Getting dressed
- Grooming and bathing
- Using the bathroom
- Assisting with prosthetics
- Traveling to and from medical appointments
- Taking medication
- And possibly more
In order to prove the severity of the injuries you sustained in your car accident, you must submit to an examination by a registered nurse or an occupational therapist to assess your needs. This professional will then detail the level of care you require based on physical limitations caused by your injuries. Their assessments and recommendations must be recorded in a Form 1 which can be used to apply for attendant care benefits, if you qualify.
TIP 3: COMPLETE AND SUBMIT FORMS ON TIME
Your application for attendant care benefits will be subject to deadlines. A failure to meet these deadlines may result in your claim’s denial.
In the aftermath of a serious car accident that results in serious injuries, it can be difficult to stay on top of all the procedures and processes required to get the support and compensation you need. By consulting with an Ontario accident benefits lawyer as soon as possible, you can confirm the amount of time you have to undergo a medical assessment and submit all necessary paperwork. With legal assistance, you can work towards meeting these essential deadlines so that you can recover the benefits you are rightfully owed.
TIP 4: CONSULT A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
If you were injured in a motor vehicle collision and can no longer engage in certain routine activities, you might qualify for attendant care benefits to offset the cost of professional assistance. If you have questions about the accident benefits to which you should be entitled, or if you need assistance filing your insurance claim, contact us today to speak with our Ontario accident benefits lawyers.
Our accident benefits lawyers serve all of Ontario and offer every prospective client a free initial consultation. To discuss your case today, call 1-800-JUSTICE.
