What is Considered a Minor Injury in a Motor Vehicle Accident in Ontario?

What is a Minor Injury in a Motor Vehicle Accident in Ontario?

You might wonder: what is considered a minor injury in an Ontario motor vehicle accident? The reason it matters is that it will determine the kind of insurance benefit that you can recover under Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).

Minor injuries are classified in Ontario law in the Minor Injury Guideline (MIG). This is a system regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and provides medical and rehabilitation benefits to an accident victim who has suffered specific types of injury. The MIG is intended to provide fast access to medical treatment, full recovery where possible, and certainty in the claims process.

Common Types of Minor Injuries You Can Get Compensation For

Not every injury after a car accident is catastrophic or even non-minor.

The Minor Injury Guideline covers conditions such as:

Bruises and Contusion

These soft-tissue injuries may be painful but tend to respond to standard medical care and heal within a four-week time frame, allowing an injured person to resume activities of daily living.

Whiplash

One of the most common injuries in rear end accidents is a whiplash associated disorder (WAD). This occurs as the joint begins to strain or stretch after sudden impact.

Although normally minor, medical professionals still recommend immediate assessment and ongoing monitoring to rule out chronic pain.

Strains and Sprains

Muscle and ligament sprains and strains also qualify as minor injuries if they are healed with usual medical treatment or further treatment under the MIG.

They qualify for medical and rehabilitation benefits under the accident benefits schedule (SABS), which can pay for medical treatment, extended health benefits, and certain attendant care costs when ordered by regulated health professionals.

Abrasions

Abrasions, commonly called scrapes or road rash, are frequent after a motor vehicle accident. Though usually considered a minor injury under Ontario’s Minor Injury Guideline (MIG), abrasions still require prompt medical treatment to prevent infection and document the extent of harm.

An injured person should receive care from a medical provider and keep all the medical records, which become relevant when making auto insurance claims and medical and rehabilitation benefits under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).

Laceration

Laceration is a deeper cut that may require suturing and scarring can occur. Even when classified as a minor injury, lacerations cause severe pain and disrupt daily activities until completely healed.

Medical documentation of your injury and an initial visit by a regulated health professional are key to being covered.

Subluxation

A subluxation, or a partial joint dislocation, may hurt and may include physiotherapy or chiropractic medical treatment. While usually handled as a non-catastrophic injury, it generally qualifies under Ontario’s minor injury guideline so the victim of an accident can receive medical and rehabilitation benefits within a timely manner.

If chronic pain or complications arise, a personal injury lawyer can assist in establishing that the injury is outside of the MIG so that you can receive more insurance benefits and long-term income replacement if your injuries are eligible.

Seat Belt Injuries

While seat belts do save lives, they will bruise, contuse, or even injure the soft tissues while you are involved in a car accident. The injuries might heal after a few weeks, but they will impact daily activities through pain.

Ontario’s regulator of financial services ensures that under the accident benefits schedule SABS, you will be in a position to cover medical care and utilize rehabilitation benefits for seat belt injuries. Medical reports and history from a health practitioner are required to qualify.

What Benefits Can You Receive for a Minor Injury?

Under Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, if your injury qualifies as minor, you can receive:

• Medical and rehabilitation benefits to cover medical care, like physiotherapy or chiropractic care.
• Attendant care costs if warranted by a medical professional.
• Income replacement benefits if temporarily you cannot work because of your injuries.
• Access to extended health benefits for long-term treatment or therapy.

Navigating Insurance Claims After a Car Accident

The process of insurance claims for auto insurance claims may be complex. Your insurance adjuster will review your medical records, official report, and medical documentation to determine if the injury is within the minor injury guideline or as non-minor injuries.

Your personal injury lawyer will help you with:

• Securing medical reports and witness statements.
• Notice to the insurance company that you are entitled to all available insurance benefits.
• Avoiding any attempt to minimize your injury as minor should you develop chronic pain or ongoing health problems.
• Professionally administered legal guidance secures your entitlements, avoids delays, and provides fair access to rehabilitation benefits and caregiver benefits where necessary.

How Grillo Law Can Help with Your Minor Injury Claim

Our accident injury attorneys at Grillo Law have a proven track record of representing motor vehicle accident victims in recovering medical and rehabilitation benefits.

We understand the minor injury guideline in Ontario and how to craft medical evidence so that your injuries qualify for benefits to which you’re entitled.

We offer a free consultation to review your medical records, the circumstances of the accident, and your auto insurance claims.

Whether your case includes whiplash associated disorder, subluxation, or seat belt trauma, we will help you obtain treatment, negotiate with the adjuster, and as necessary, assert that your injuries must be classified as non minor injuries to obtain more coverage.

With our expertise in personal injury law, we assist you in getting your insurance benefits, income replacement, and extended health benefits to recover fully, even in tough times.