The claimant was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in March 2019 and was determined to be catastrophically impaired by the insurer. She applied to the LAT seeking entitlement to ACBs and various medical/rehabilitation benefits. All issues in dispute except ACBs, a special award, and costs were withdrawn after the commencement of the hearing. The hearing in this matter began with the claimant’s motion to have Vice-Chair Farlam recuse herself from the hearing. This was the 18th motion brought during the proceeding. Two reasons were submitted for the recusal request: (1) the claimant had been denied the right to add 14 witnesses to the hearing, and (2) the allegation that Vice-Chair Farlam had a “leaning, inclination, bent or predisposition” favouring insurers. The recusal motion was denied. With regards to the benefits in dispute, Vice-Chair Farlam found that the claimant was not entitled to payment for ACBs because she had not proven that the ACBs in dispute were incurred. Vice-Chair Farlam declined to use her discretion to deem the expenses incurred. The claim for a special award was denied. Vice-Chair Farlam order the claimant to pay $100 for 5 motions that were unreasonably brought without sufficient notice and too late in the proceedings (i.e., on the eve or during the hearing).
