How can my lawyer help me with spinal cord injury rehabilitation?
What Is A Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury involves damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal (cauda equina). This damage can cause permanent changes in sensation, strength, and bodily function. Given the potentially grave consequences that can arise from a spinal cord injury, emergency personnel attending to victims of a motor vehicle accident will pay particular attention to whether there has been any trauma to the head or neck.
With medical attention, treatment, and rehabilitation, people suffering from spinal cord injuries can go on to lead productive and independent lives. However, it can be a long road to full recovery. Singer Kwinter can help facilitate the recovery process by opening an Accident Benefits claim on your behalf, which is a claim opened with an insurance company – whether your own or the one most appropriate according to the legislated priority rules – for access to medical benefits, rehabilitation benefits, and attendant care benefits.
Accident Benefits Claims
Severe spinal cord injuries are frequently treated as cases of “catastrophic impairment” for the purpose of Accident Benefits claims. This designation recognizes that people suffering from spinal cord injuries may have heightened needs to address their disabilities. Accordingly, a finding by an insurance company that a claimant is catastrophically impaired comes with enhanced medical benefits, rehabilitation benefits, and attendant care benefits, in addition to benefits that are only otherwise available to people who have specifically purchased them, like case management and housekeeping benefits.
Over the years, Singer Kwinter has worked closely with numerous case managers on behalf of their clients, forming close connections that help future clients by way of referrals. As personal injury lawyers, we are in the privileged position of having access to our client’s medical records and the ability to coordinate the submission of Treatment and Assessment Plans (OCF-18) for the insurer’s approval. This unique position means that we can partner with your case manager to ensure you are getting the rehabilitation you need.
Unfortunately, interruptions to treatment might arise when the insurance company denies an OCF-18 on the basis that is not reasonable and necessary. On these occasions, Singer Kwinter will dispute the denial internally within the insurance company and, if necessary, at the Licence Appeal Tribunal. In short, our aim is to expedite your rehabilitation by connecting you to service providers and overseeing their funding, stepping in when necessary to prevent or dispute any interruptions to your recovery.
