WHAT ARE SECTION B “NO FAULT” ACCIDENT BENEFITS?

Car accidents can be scary experiences o their own, the legal situation afterwards shouldn't be as scary.  Section B benefits are designed to help with  out of pocket expenses.

If you have been injured in a car accident, you are entitled to Section B accident benefits despite whose fault the accident is.

Understanding what those benefits are is important to ensure that you do not incur any unnecessary out of pocket costs that you are entitled to be reimbursed for.

So exactly what are those Section B “no fault” benefits?

1. MEDICAL AND REHABILITATION EXPENSES

You are entitled to receive coverage for all medical and rehabilitation expenses you incur as a result of a car accident for four years after the accident up to a maximum of $50,000.00.

Some examples of the types of medical expenses you are entitled to receive

coverage for under the Section B “no fault” system are:

• Treatment expenses
• Prescription expenses
• Retraining expenses
• Inpatient care expenses
• Mileage expenses for travel to and from treatment

If you have private medical insurance, the Insurance Act, RSNS 1989, c 231, requires you to exhaust those applicable benefits available under that plan prior to obtaining Section B medical benefits.

2. LOSS OF INCOME BENEFITS

You are entitled to weekly indemnity payments if you cannot perform the essential duties of your occupation or employment provided:

• You were employed at the time of the accident; or
• Within 30 days from the date of the accident, you had an inability to work at your own occupation for a period of not less than 7 days; or
• If you were employed for any 6 months out of the preceding 12 months.

No loss of income payments will be made in excess of 104 weeks unless you can establish that you cannot work in any occupation or employment you are reasonably suited to perform by education, training or experience.

Section B loss of income benefits entitles you to receive up to $250.00 per week or up to 80% of your net income loss.

3. UNPAID HOUSEKEEPER BENEFIT

If you are the principal unpaid housekeeper in your household and you are completely incapacitated from performing any of your household duties, you would be entitled to a benefit at the rate of $100.00 per week for a maximum of 52 weeks.

In order to qualify for any of the above noted benefits, various Section B forms will have to be completed and you should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer prior to the completion of these forms.

At Harris North Law we take an active approach to every client’s Section B claim and provide the assistance required to ensure that you obtain the benefits you deserve.