Catastrophic Injury in Ontario: What You Need to Know
A catastrophic injury is one of the most serious types of personal injury. These injuries often cause permanent disability, require lifelong care, and change not only the life of the injured person but also their family.
In Ontario, catastrophic injuries are especially important because they may lead to a catastrophic impairment designation under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) — unlocking much higher levels of compensation and support.
What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is any injury that causes severe, long-term, or permanent impairment. Common examples include:
- Spinal cord injuries leading to paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Severe traumatic brain injuries affecting cognition, memory, and personality
- Amputations or permanent loss of use of a limb
- Blindness in both eyes
- Severe burns causing major functional or cosmetic impairment
- Mental or behavioural impairments that prevent independent living
These injuries often require ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and daily support. They also significantly increase the financial burden on families.
Catastrophic Injury vs. Catastrophic Impairment
Many people use the terms interchangeably, but they aren’t exactly the same:
- Catastrophic Injury → Plain-language description of very serious, life-altering harm.
- Catastrophic Impairment → A legal definition in Ontario’s SABS. It determines whether an accident victim qualifies for the highest tier of accident benefits (up to $1,000,000).
Why Catastrophic Injuries Matter in Ontario
If you are seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in Ontario, your injury level affects how much you can claim under SABS:
- Minor Injuries (MIG): up to $3,500 in benefits
- Non-Catastrophic Injuries: up to $65,000 over 5 years
- Catastrophic Injuries: up to $1,000,000 in benefits, plus housekeeping, attendant care, and other enhanced supports
Because the jump from $65,000 to $1,000,000 is so significant, it’s critical to have catastrophic injuries properly classified as impairments under the law.
Long-Term Impact of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can lead to:
- Permanent loss of income if you can’t return to work
- Ongoing medical and rehabilitation costs
- Need for attendant care or home modifications
- Severe emotional and psychological toll on both the victim and family
Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
While every case is different, some common scenarios include:
- A driver suffering a spinal cord injury in a highway crash, leaving them paralyzed.
- A cyclist struck by a car, sustaining a severe traumatic brain injury.
- An industrial worker losing a limb in a workplace accident.
- A passenger in a rollover accident losing vision in both eyes.
In each of these cases, the injury would likely be considered catastrophic and could qualify for impairment benefits under Ontario’s insurance laws.
What to Do If You’ve Suffered a Catastrophic Injury
If you or a loved one has sustained a catastrophic injury in Ontario:
- Get immediate medical care and assessments.
- File a claim for accident benefits with your insurer.
- Apply for catastrophic impairment designation (OCF-19 form) if eligible.
- Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and that you maximize your benefits and compensation.
Key Takeaways
- A catastrophic injury is a severe, life-changing injury such as paralysis, amputation, blindness, or traumatic brain injury.
- In Ontario, these injuries may qualify as catastrophic impairments under SABS — a legal designation that gives access to up to $1,000,000 in benefits.
- Without the designation, you may be limited to $65,000 in benefits.
- Because insurers often dispute catastrophic claims, getting legal help is essential.
Speak to a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Ontario
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury in Ontario, don’t leave your recovery and financial future to chance. At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, our experienced personal injury lawyers in Ontario help injury victims secure the full compensation and benefits they are entitled to under provincial law.
📞 Contact us today for a free consultation — let us guide you through the catastrophic impairment process and fight for the support you deserve.
About the Author
Sivan Tumarkin
Sivan Tumarkin is a Founding Partner of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and Practice Leader for the firm's Long-term Disability & Personal Injury Law Group. His previous experience working for insurance companies has given him unique insight into the long-term disability claim denial and appeals process, allowing him to secure strong results for his clients.
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