Claim for death benefits dismissed; insured's suicide by overdose was not directly caused by motor vehicle accident.
The applicant's spouse was involved in a minor rear-end motor vehicle accident.
The following day, he committed suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills.
The applicant sought death benefits under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, arguing the suicide was a direct result of the accident.
The arbitrator found no causal nexus between the use or operation of the vehicle and the suicide, concluding the death was not directly caused by the accident.
The claim for death benefits was dismissed.
OFSCDRSOntario Financial Services Commission - Dispute Resolution ServicesMay 24, 2017