Insured awarded ongoing weekly income benefits, medical expenses, and a $25,000 special award for insurer's unreasonable conduct.
The applicant was injured in a motor vehicle accident and received statutory accident benefits until the insurer terminated weekly income benefits at the 156-week mark.
The applicant sought ongoing weekly income benefits, supplementary medical expenses for massage therapy and transportation, and a special award.
The arbitrator found that the applicant was continuously prevented from engaging in any occupation for which he was reasonably suited by education, training, or experience, and awarded ongoing weekly income benefits.
The arbitrator also awarded the claimed medical and transportation expenses, finding them reasonable and necessary.
Finally, the arbitrator awarded a $25,000 special award, finding that the insurer had unreasonably withheld and delayed payments by ignoring medical evidence, failing to pay mandatory expenses pending dispute resolution, and failing to provide written notice of refusal.
