1-855-YRU-HURT (978-4878)
ACCIDENT! INJURY! These dreaded words become very benign to our sensibilities because we hear so much about these in the news media all the time. But suddenly we realize the enormity of these words when we or someone we love and care about is involved in an accident In many cases it is a life altering experience not just for the victim but for his or her whole family. Whether you have a job or you are a student, a self-employed, unemployed, old or young, male or female, accidents can alter the way you lead your normal daily activities in all aspects of life - work, home, relationships, social life and physical and emotional health.
In plain English, accident means an event which is nobody’s fault. But in law, accidents are almost always caused by someone’s negligence or non-diligence of the duty to care. This creates a legal regime of assessing damages and awarding compensation for those damages called Tort (sometimes referred to as Third Party claim).
Then we have insurance covers of various kinds to get compensation for the damages suffered in an accident – not only for the negligence of others but for our own faults. These are called No-Fault claims since fault, and consequently liability, is not an issue. The most prominent examples of this kind of insurance coverage is Auto Insurance Policy that every vehicle owner is required by law to carry. Other no less important examples are that of Accident Policies bought voluntarily; Home Insurance policies bought voluntarily and almost always as a pre-condition to home mortgage; Short Term Disability (STD) and Long Term Disability (LTD) policies usually available from the workplace but sometimes bought voluntarily; Critical Illness Insurance; Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage which covers injuries suffered at workplaces; Employment Insurance (Sickness) benefits which has a limited coverage for eligible individuals; and Canada Pension Plan (Disability) benefit for eligible individuals. In the case of Tort claim, usually the At Fault party has Third Party insurance coverage which pays for losses suffered by other people due to the negligence of the At Fault party. Additionally, in the case of auto accidents, there are coverages for Uninsured, Underinsured or Unidentified Vehicle from your own auto insurance or through Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund.
The key to getting compensation is to quantify and prove your damages. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as buying a policy to cover this very eventuality is. When you buy an insurance policy, the application and approval process is very simple involving minimal paper work. But when a claim is notified, suddenly all the simplicity of the insurance process vanishes. The smiling face of an insurance agent is replaced by the tough posture of an insurance adjuster; a simple form for applying for insurance is replaced by a set of overwhelming forms to be filled not only by you but by your doctors and employer; and your questions about your entitlements are answered by a fine, and often long, print of laws and clauses of your contract. As a victim of an unfortunate accident you feel victimized again. Even if you had the skill of dealing with all these elements you are not in a position to do so because, at a time you are grappling with your injuries and stressed to meet your financial, domestic and social responsibilities, you can hardly meet any extra demands on your time and energy. This can very well result in your rights being compromised and you being shortchanged of your entitlements. Mind it, there are so many different limitation periods built-in the whole process. Missing time deadlines alone can invalidate your claim despite having a valid case for damages otherwise.
chips in to fulfill this very need of accident victims in the Province of Ontario. We cannot take pain out of your injuries but we take pain out of this monolithic claim process leaving you focused to deal with your injuries and its aftermath in your daily life. Tell us WHY ARE YOU HURT and KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!
