Ontario Catastrophic Injury Lawyers - Serious, Life-Altering Claims
Catastrophic injuries are the most severe and life-altering injuries recognized in Ontario’s personal injury system. These are injuries that fundamentally change a person’s medical needs, functional abilities, independence, and long-term future. Many catastrophic cases arise from car accidents, motorcycle collisions, vehicle–pedestrian impacts, or serious cycling incidents. In some situations, individuals first speak with our Ontario motorcycle injury lawyers before realizing the full extent of their injuries qualifies as catastrophic.
Under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS), a person may be designated as “catastrophically impaired.” This designation significantly increases the benefits available to an injured person — including up to $1,000,000 in medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care funding, along with housekeeping benefits and other supports. For most clients, obtaining a catastrophic impairment designation is the single most important step in securing long-term care and financial stability.
Because catastrophic claims are highly technical, medically complex, and frequently disputed by insurers, working with an Ontario catastrophic injury lawyer is essential. These files require precise medical evidence, coordinated specialist assessments, and strong advocacy against insurers who often challenge catastrophic claims at the License Appeal Tribunal (LAT). When injuries overlap with severe spinal cord or brain trauma, our Ontario spinal cord injury lawyers and Ontario brain injury lawyers assist in building the strongest evidence possible.
What Is a Catastrophic Impairment in Ontario?
A person is considered catastrophically impaired if they meet any one of the catastrophic criteria set out in section 3.1 of the SABS. These criteria fall into several categories, including:
• Serious spinal cord injuries with permanent neurological deficit
• Amputation of a limb or the permanent loss of use of an arm or leg
• Severe, permanent vision loss
• Major traumatic brain injuries, often supported by MRI or CT findings
• Marked or extreme psychological impairments
• A Whole Person Impairment (WPI) rating of 55% or greater, determined by multiple specialists
Determining whether someone meets catastrophic criteria can be extremely complicated. Certain categories — such as marked psychological impairment or Whole Person Impairment ratings — require evaluations from several experts, including psychiatrists, neurologists, neuropsychologists, physiatrists, and occupational therapists. A single missing detail can change the outcome of the claim entirely.
If you are uncertain whether your injuries may qualify as catastrophic, our Ontario spinal cord injury lawyers and Ontario brain injury lawyers can review your medical records, imaging, and functional assessments to determine whether you may meet one of the SABS criteria.
Why Catastrophic Injury Claims Are Often Disputed
Insurance companies frequently dispute catastrophic impairment claims. Even when treating doctors support the designation, insurers may send injured individuals to their own medical assessors, who often conclude that catastrophic criteria are not met.
When this happens, the dispute may proceed before the LAT. These hearings require:
• Strong medical expert evidence
• Cross-examination of insurer assessors
• Detailed analysis of functional and psychological limitations
• Interpretation of complex catastrophic definitions
• Knowledge of LAT case law and prior catastrophic decisions
Even when catastrophic status is approved, legal representation remains critical. Insurers commonly attempt early settlements before the full long-term cost of care is understood.
Catastrophic claims must consider:
• Lifetime medical and rehabilitation needs
• Attendant care and in-home support
• Home and vehicle modifications
• Assistive devices and mobility equipment
• Loss of income and future earning capacity
• Psychological rehabilitation
• Family and caregiver needs
We work to ensure that both your accident benefits and your lawsuit are fully developed and nothing is overlooked.
Case Management and Treatment Coordination
Individuals with catastrophic injuries often require a dedicated case manager to organize treatment, coordinate assessments, and ensure access to appropriate rehabilitation services. Insurance companies may assign case managers, but their recommendations are sometimes limited by insurer guidelines.
At Foster Injury Law, we help clients choose independent case managers whose only goal is to support your recovery. We work closely with neurological rehabilitation programs, occupational therapists, psychological care teams, and catastrophic treatment providers across Ontario.
How We Support Catastrophically Injured Clients
We represent clients throughout Ontario and assist with
• Preparing catastrophic impairment applications
• Gathering and coordinating medical expert evidence
• Organizing WPI assessments and psychological evaluations
• Challenging denials at the LAT
• Ensuring full access to treatment and funding
• Coordinating accident benefits and tort claims
• Negotiating full-value settlements that reflect long-term needs
Hospitals and Trauma Centres in Ontario
Catastrophic injury survivors often receive treatment at major Ontario trauma centres, including:
• Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (Barrie)
• Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital (Kitchener–Waterloo)
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• St. Michael’s Hospital
• Hamilton General Hospital
• London Health Sciences Centre
We regularly work alongside these hospitals and community rehabilitation teams to ensure the strongest possible medical documentation and recovery plan.
Your Rights After a Catastrophic Injury
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury, it is important to contact a lawyer as early as possible. Early guidance helps protect access to treatment funding, ensures catastrophic claims are built properly, and prevents insurers from gaining an early procedural advantage.
You pay nothing upfront — we only get paid if we successfully resolve your claim.
If you have questions about your catastrophic injury claim, please reach out for a free consultation. We will review your medical situation, explain your rights, and outline the next steps in securing the full benefits and compensation available under Ontario law.
Further Reading
For a deeper understanding of how catastrophic impairment is defined under the current SABS criteria, you can read our comprehensive 2026 catastrophic impairment guide.
Below are related pages for more information
Barrie catastrophic injury lawyers
Vaughan catastrophic injury lawyers
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