Attendant Care - More Harmful Changes in Accident Benefits In Ontario

Another rant at the Liberal government's announced changes to the regulations setting the new accident benefits in Ontario.  Currently there is an automatic right to payment for attendant care if injuries you suffer in a car crash require such care.  The benefits are going to be cut in half.  Again - completely at the expense of the injured person.  Why is it that our government is so bound and determined to give money to insurance companies on the backs of the average citizen?  Not only is the benefit being cut in half but the wording of the new regulations states that attendant care benefits will only be paid for costs incurred for attendant care.  This may sound innocent enough but it is another direct attack on lower income accident victims.  Often today, attendant care benefits are paid to family members who care for a crash victim - although that person really wasn't paid at the time they provided assistance.  Will the new regulations stop this?  I am certain insurance companies will try to avoid such payments.  Also - what if someone truly needs attendant care but cannot afford it?  Does the new regulation mean that they must somehow get by without any attendant care until it is approved by the insurer or risk the potential for financial ruin if they actually get attendant care only to have it denied by the insurance company?  A wealthy person could afford to pay for the care required and recover it from their insurer in due course.  Not so for financially strapped families.  Also remember, if someone needs attendant care it almost certainly means they cannot work.  If their monthly cash flow is suddenly cut drastically because the maximum weekly income replacement benefit is much lower than their precrash income, it is a double whammy in that they now have unexpected expenses and less money to pay it with. 

When someone is injured and is entitled to receive accident benefits in Ontario - it will be even more important that they get help from a professional.

What do you think? Speak Up!

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