The insurer’s request for reconsideration was granted. The issue at the hearing was the correct calculation of the quantum of IRBs. The hearing adjudicator had found the claimant was entitled to IRBs in the amount of $172.00 per week after the claimant reached age 65. The insurer argued that the LAT made errors with respect to entitlement of IRBs and in awarding a post-65 IRB. In the Reconsideration Decision, Vice-Chair Maedel agreed that current entitlement to IRBs was not in dispute and only the quantum of IRBs was at issue. Therefore, reference to ‘entitlement’ or ‘up to age 65’ was removed from the original decision. In addition, Vice-Chair Maedel agreed with the insurer that the LAT violated rules of natural justice or procedural fairness when ordering entitlement to IRBs after age 65 because the claimant was 57 years of age at the time the decision was made. Vice-Chair Maedel found that imposing an IRB 8 years into the future was to speculate about the claimant’s condition, entitlement, and the status of the applicable law in the future. Vice-Chair Maedel stated that while the claimant’s entitlement to IRBs was ‘ongoing’, the term “ongoing” does not equate to “forever”. That being said, Vice-Chair Maedel noted the claimant was protected by terms of s. 281(2) of the Insurance Act, which states that following a Tribunal Decision, the insurer may reduce benefits only if the applicant agrees, the insurer is authorized to do so as a result of successful appeal of the Tribunal Decision, or the insurer is authorized to do so by the Tribunal.
