The applicant was injured in a rear-end motor vehicle accident and sought statutory accident benefits, including income replacement benefits, housekeeping benefits, and the cost of a multidisciplinary assessment.
The insurer terminated income replacement and housekeeping benefits shortly after the accident.
The arbitrator found that the applicant suffered significant soft-tissue injuries that developed into chronic pain and fibromyalgia, rendering her substantially unable to perform her pre-accident physically demanding job as a product demonstrator, and completely unable to engage in alternative employment.
Income replacement benefits were reinstated.
However, the claim for housekeeping benefits was dismissed, as the evidence showed the applicant retained essential independence in her household tasks, albeit at a slower pace.
The arbitrator also approved the cost of the multidisciplinary assessment, finding it reasonable and necessary given the applicant's complex psycho-physical presentation, and awarded interest on overdue amounts.
