The loss of a loved one is a life altering event that has wide ranging impacts emotionally, physically and financially. The loss may leave you in mental distress with a need for psychological support. The loss may leave you physically exhausted having lost the person you relied on to provide childcare and/or assistance both inside and outside the home. The loss may leave you in financial distress having lost the main or sole income earner in your household. It may be one or all the above, but if your loved one died as a result of a motor vehicle accident there are benefits and funds available to you to assist you through this difficult time.
Through the accident benefits system, you may have access to a “death benefit”. If you are the spouse of the deceased the benefit is $25,000 and if you were a dependant of the deceased, the benefit is $10,000. There is also coverage for funeral expenses up to $6,000. In addition, you can seek coverage for psychological treatment, social work, medications or other services or treatment you require as a result of the death of your loved one.
If the accident was caused as a result of someone else’s negligence, you can sue the at fault party and seek damages for the loss of your relationship with your loved one (which is open to spouses, siblings, parents, children, and grandchildren), the loss of income that they contributed to the household, the loss of the value of the services they provided around the house or through childcare, and other out-of-pocket expenses, including any funeral costs over and above the $6,000.
If you have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer to understand your rights and what benefits and funds may be available to you.
A born-and-raised Barrie resident, Karen knows and loves her community. She is proud to be a partner in one of Canada’s most successful personal injury law firms—right in her own backyard. Karen joined Oatley Vigmond in 2013 as an associate lawyer. She holds a BA from Queen’s University and her Juris Doctor from Bond University in Australia. Prior to being called to the Bar in January 2013, Karen articled at a well-known personal injury law firm in Toronto.