Thomas Gold Pettingill LLP is pleased to provide this online resource to our clients. Below is a searchable database of the publicly released decisions from the Licence Appeal Tribunal. Assembled by the accident benefits group, the decisions are reviewed, briefly summarized, and categorized for easy access.
As of March 2020, we will not include any further decisions focused solely on the Minor Injury Guideline or treatment plans, unless the case may have broader applicability.
The claimant was struck by a golf cart while on the driveway of a private golf course. The insurer denied that an "accident" had occurred because the golf cart did not qualify as an "automobile". Adjudicator Sewrattan agreed with the insurer and concluded that the golf cart was not an "automobile" because it was not...
The claimant sought entitlement to eight treatment plans, including prescription medication. Adjudicator Sewrattan found five of the treatment plans were not payable as the treatment was incurred before the submission of treatment plans. When interpreting section 38(2), it was noted that there was no "reasonable excuse" exception; therefore, if the claimant did not meet any...
The claimant had already previously adjourned two case conferences due to a death in the family and medical reasons. A preliminary issue hearing was scheduled; however, it was subsequently withdrawn by the insurer and the matter was set to proceed to a hearing. The claimant sought to adjourn a written hearing, so she could undergo...
The claimant sought entitlement to physiotherapy and an FAE. The insurer denied the treatment based on a MIG determination. Adjudicator Anwar considered the medical evidence submitted, including family doctor clinical notes and records, and determined the claimant did not prove entitlement to treatment beyond the MIG.
The claimant sought entitlement to five treatment and assessment plans. The insurer denied the treatment based on a MIG determination. Adjudicator Johal dismissed all claims and upheld the MIG determination. Of note, while Adjudicator Johal found the claimant did suffer from issues of anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, and panic attacks prior to the accident, it...
The insurer brought a preliminary issue motion asserting the claimant was not entitled to income replacement since the claimant knowingly drove without a license, pursuant to section 31 of the SABS. Adjudicator Sewrattan reviewed Section 2.2.1 of OAP 1. It was noted that while a broad interpretation favouring the insured was asserted, not even a...
The claimant sought entitlement to income replacement benefits. The insurer asserted a limitations defence. Adjudicator Sewrattan noted that the LAT assumed jurisdiction of accident benefits disputes on April 1, 2016. The parties agreed the 90-day grace period beyond a report of mediator is not applicable to LAT disputes. Adjudicator Sewrattan noted the claimant had ample...
A preliminary hearing was held to decide whether the claim for IRBs was barred by the limitation period. Adjudicator Sewrattan concluded that the denials by the insurer were clear and unequivocal, and that the claim for IRBs was therefore barred. No costs were awarded.
The claimant sought entitlement to three treatment plans. The insurer denied the plans and maintained a MIG position. Adjudicator Truong reviewed the medical reports and found each to have competing views; as a result, a review of the clinical notes was undertaken. On review, the claimant was said to suffer from soft tissue injuries and...
The claimant sought entitlement to attendant care benefits. Adjudicator Theoharis did not find the account of the service provider credible as the testimony was vague and did not sound convincing when cross-examined. Additionally, the claimant provided contrary evidence to a statutory declaration. The evidentiary record also contained conflicting accounts as to who provided services, if...
In this preliminary issue decision, the insurer argued that the claimant had failed to attend an IE and EUO and therefore could not proceed to arbitration at the LAT. Adjudicator Neilsen held that the insurer's request for an IE was reasonable, and the insurer had provided a notice that satisfied section 38 of the SABS....
The claimant sought entitlement to medical benefits. The insurer denied the benefits and held the claimant within the MIG. The claimant argued that a pre-existing condition of spina bifida warranted removal from the MIG. The claimant also advanced a chronic pain and psychological impairment argument. Adjudicator Rebecca Hines noted that the asserted pre-existing condition was...
This is a reconsideration decision under LAT Rule 18.2(b) wherein the original decision found the claimant not entitled to claim expenses related to a trip to Disney World. Executive Chair Lamoureux noted that there were no further submissions on the part of the claimant, and it appeared the Tribunal was merely "urged to discover the...
The original adjudicator had awarded IRBs up to the 104 week mark, which was a future date; the weekly quantum of IRBs awarded was not analysed in the decision. The insurer appealed the adjudicator's order related to the period and quantum of IRBs. Executive Chair Lamoureux accepted the insurer's arguments and held that the order...
The minor claimant sought removal from the MIG based on incomplete medical records and selective school records showing absenteeism. Adjudicator Mather rejected the claimant's position and held that there was insufficient evidence to show that the relatively minor accident was related to the claimant's school performance or causing any psychological difficulties.
The insurer requested reconsideration of a costs award against it arising out of the failure to provide records. Executive Chair Lamoureux overturned the costs award, writing that the adjudicator's decision was premised on incorrect facts (the dispute had been resolved at the time).
Executive Chair Lamoureux was asked to reconsider two decisions in which the claimant was found MIG and found not entitled to NEBs. The applicant argued that "the entirety" of his evidence was "not considered at all." Similarly, in his request for reconsideration of NEBs the applicant argued that his "evidence was not considered at all...
Adjudicator Pay was asked to exclude a report by Dr. Ogilvie-Harris that was served two days before the hearing date. Adjudicator Pay allowed the submission of this late report as it was relevant and likely necessary to the determination of the issues in dispute. However, she extended the timelines for the submission of the insurer's...
The claimant sought entitlement to a treatment plan for occupational therapy. Adjudicator Sewrattan awarded the claimed treatment plan based on the theory that the treatment would provide potential pain management or reduction, which was a reasonable goal for the claimant's physical impairment.
The claimant sought entitlement to attendant care benefits as well as expenses for an office desk, chair, and for a mattress. Having re-calculated the claimant's needs when comparing competing Form 1s, Adjudicator Treksler found attendant care payable at a reduced rate, but not payable for a period claimed when the claimant had not received any...
The claimant sought entitlement to a treatment plan for physiotherapy and another treatment plan for a chronic pain assessment, as well as costs. On review of the medical evidence, Adjudicator Sewrattan found the chronic pain assessment reasonable.