Effective September the 1st, 2010 significant reforms (Ontario Regulation 34/10) will be made that will affect accident victims and will require changes to the approach taken by counsel, health care providers and insurance brokers/agents.   Car owners need to know of the significant decisions they will have to make in selecting optional coverages for no fault accident benefits.  For example, now there is a basic Med Rehab no fault coverage of $100,000 ($1 million if victim is found catastrophic).  After September 1st, standard coverage will be reduced to $50,000 unless optional coverage is purchased of $100,000 or $1.1 million.  Likewise Attendant care no fault coverage will be reduced from $100,000 ($1 million if catastrophic) down to $36,000 unless optional coverage of $72,000 or $1,072,000 is purchased.   Likewise optional coverages for caregiver benefits, housekeeping benefits, and home maintenance benefits will have to be purchased for non catastrophic patients.

The public will have to be educated on the available optional benefits.  Liability issues may arise for insurance brokers or agents who do not clearly point out the need for these benefits and clearly spell out their availabilty.

Derek Nicholson and Donna Robinson will be hosting a series of traveling seminars in April available to health care providers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and brokers to assist them in understanding the changes that they may need to know about to help their patients and clients.   Arrangements are also underway to host a seminar for legal counsel in the Ottawa Area.