Dr. W. Potashner

The applicant was injured in a motor vehicle accident and sought income replacement benefits after the respondent terminated them.

The applicant, a personal support worker, returned to work on modified duties and reduced hours.

The Tribunal found that the applicant suffered soft tissue injuries to her cervical and lumbar spine, rendering her substantially unable to perform the physically demanding essential tasks of her pre-accident employment.

The Tribunal ordered the respondent to pay the income replacement benefits with interest, but declined to award costs as the applicant failed to provide evidence of unreasonable conduct by the respondent.

The insurer brought a motion to stay the arbitration pending the insured's attendance at a proposed medical examination by a physiatrist.

The insured had previously been assessed by the same physiatrist, but subsequently submitted new medical reports from specialists diagnosing chronic pain syndrome and a complete inability to work.

The arbitrator found that the proposed examination was reasonably necessary to assist the insurer in determining the insured's entitlement to ongoing income replacement benefits in light of the significant new medical information.

However, the arbitrator declined to stay the arbitration, finding it premature to address the consequences of a potential failure to attend.