Catastrophic Injury Claims in Ontario
A catastrophic injury changes everything. It can affect mobility, independence, work, relationships, and long-term health. If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury in Ontario because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation, but you shouldn’t have to fight for it alone.
Cariati Law helps injured people and families pursue catastrophic injury claims with compassion, urgency, and a results-driven approach.
What is a catastrophic injury?
Catastrophic injuries often include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury (paralysis, quadriplegia, paraplegia)
- Amputation
- Severe burns and disfigurement
- Multiple fractures with long-term disability
- Permanent loss of vision or hearing
- Serious internal injuries with lasting complications
In Ontario, catastrophic injuries may also be formally classified as catastrophic impairment under certain insurance rules. This classification can impact the benefits available, and the resources needed to support long-term recovery.
Common causes of catastrophic injuries
Catastrophic injuries can happen in seconds, and they are often preventable. Common causes include:
- Car accidents and truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents (including falls on ice)
- Workplace accidents (construction falls, equipment incidents)
- Boating and recreational accidents
- Defective products
- Nursing home abuse and neglect leading to serious harm
If negligence played a role, you may have a claim against the responsible person, company, or insurer.
What makes catastrophic injury claims different?
- The medical evidence is extensive and often involves multiple specialists
- The future costs can be significant (care, equipment, home modifications)
- The impact on work and family life is often permanent
- Insurance companies may push for early settlements that don’t reflect long-term needs
A catastrophic injury claim must be built around the truth of your life now—and the life you will need support to live in the future.
The real costs after a catastrophic injury
A catastrophic injury can create immediate bills and long-term expenses, such as:
- Emergency care, surgery, and hospital stays
- Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
- Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy
- Mobility devices (wheelchairs, power chairs, prosthetics)
- Home and vehicle modifications (ramps, lifts, accessible bathrooms)
- Attendant care / personal support workers
- Medications, medical supplies, and assistive technology
- Psychological support (trauma, depression, anxiety)
- Lost income and reduced future earning capacity
A strong claim should account for both today’s costs and future needs—not just what’s happening right now.
What compensation can you claim?
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Future care costs and attendant care
- Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Costs of home/vehicle modifications and assistive devices
- Family and caregiver impacts (where applicable)
Why you should hire a catastrophic injury lawyer
If your injury was caused by someone else, you deserve a legal team that can protect you from insurance tactics and build a case that reflects the full impact of what you’ve been through.
An experienced catastrophic injury lawyer in Ontario can help by:
