Dr. J. Rai

The applicant was involved in a motor vehicle accident and subsequently developed a severe neurocognitive disorder, rendering her incapable of caring for herself.

She sought statutory accident benefits, including a determination of catastrophic impairment, income replacement benefits, and attendant care benefits.

The respondent denied the benefits, arguing the applicant's dementia pre-dated the accident and was not caused by it.

The Licence Appeal Tribunal found that the accident materially contributed to the onset and rapid acceleration of the applicant's neurocognitive disorder.

The Tribunal held that the applicant sustained a catastrophic impairment under criterion 8 (mental and behavioural impairment) and awarded income replacement benefits, attendant care benefits up to $6,000 per month, and specific medical treatment plans, along with interest.

Claims for an award under section 10 and costs were dismissed.

The applicant sought statutory accident benefits following a 2019 motor vehicle accident, claiming catastrophic impairment due to mental and behavioural impairments.

At the outset of the hearing, the adjudicator denied the applicant's request for an adjournment, noting the significant delay, previous adjournments, and the new counsel's lack of preparation.

The hearing proceeded with the applicant self-represented after her counsel failed to appear.

The adjudicator found the applicant did not sustain a catastrophic impairment, as she failed to prove a marked impairment in three of the four spheres of functioning under Criterion 8.

The adjudicator also dismissed the claims for post-104-week income replacement benefits and attendant care benefits, finding insufficient medical evidence of a complete inability to work and no evidence of incurred attendant care expenses.

As the applicant's non-catastrophic limits were exhausted, the claims for medical benefits and expenses were also dismissed.