Fernandez v. Commonwell Mutual Insurance (2024 ONSC 5180)

The claimant appealed the Tribunal’s refusal to grant an adjournment of her hearing for a catastrophic impairment, and ultimately finding that she did not suffer a catastrophic impairment. The Court held that the Tribunal’s refusal to grant an adjournment breached fairness concerns, and ordered a new hearing. The Court explained that the claimant had limited proficiency in English, the issues were complex, and the claimant quickly retained new counsel after her previous counsel got off the record.