Dr. Steven Blitzer

The applicant was injured in a motor vehicle accident and sought income replacement benefits (IRBs) after the insurer terminated them.

The Tribunal found that the applicant, a self-employed painter and contractor, suffered a substantial inability to perform the essential tasks of his pre-accident employment within 104 weeks of the accident, primarily due to a specific phobia of driving.

For the post-104-week period, the Tribunal found the applicant was completely unable to engage in any employment for which he was reasonably suited by education, training, or experience, due to a combination of physical and psychological impairments caused by the accident.

The applicant was awarded ongoing IRBs and interest, but his claim for a special award under Regulation 664 was dismissed.

Following a motor vehicle collision, the defendants admitted liability and the jury awarded general damages and future health care expenses.

While the jury was deliberating, the defendants brought a threshold motion under the Insurance Act seeking a declaration that the plaintiff's injuries did not meet the statutory exception for permanent serious impairment of an important physical, mental or psychological function.

The court accepted that the plaintiff had chronic pain and that his condition was permanent, but held the evidence did not establish a serious impairment causing substantial interference with regular training or most usual activities of daily living.

The plaintiff's ability to complete ESL training and continue household activities undermined the claim that the threshold was met.

The motion was granted and the action dismissed.