Accident Benefits in New Brunswick (Section B)
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, then you have the right to get insurance benefits from your own car insurance company, or the insurance company of the other driver, no matter who is at fault for the accident. These benefits are called Accident Benefits (Section B) and include payment for medical and rehabilitation expenses and weekly loss of income payments. Accident benefits are meant to immediately help you, while your injury claim is ongoing.
Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation
Accident Benefits cover a wide range of expenses including physiotherapy, massage therapy, psychology and chiropractic, prescription medications, medical equipment, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, ambulance bills, home modifications and gym memberships. If your injury prevents you from returning to work, then your insurer is required to pay for vocational rehabilitation, return-to-work programs, and modifications to your workspace. In New Brunswick, there is a $50,000 limit per person and a four year time limit attached to this benefit.
Loss of Income Payments and Death Benefits
If your injuries keep you from working, then you may qualify for weekly loss of income payments. If you were employed at the date of your accident, and sustained injuries that substantially interfere with your professional duties within 30 days of the date of the accident, you may be eligible for a weekly payment. The maximum payment is $250 per week in New Brunswick. To qualify, you must meet these 3 requirements:
1. You were employed at the time of the accident or had arranged to start a new job soon, or were employed for 6 of the 12 months before the accident.
2. Your injuries kept you from working for 7 days out of the 30 days following the accident.
3. You have not returned to work, or are earning less money because of your injuries.
Section B of the Standard Owner’s Policy includes lump sum payments in case of death. In order for this payment to be made, death must ensue within 180 days of the accident or two years if you were continuously disabled prior to death. The amount of payment is determined by the deceased’s status in the household. In New Brunswick, $50,000 is paid if the deceased is the head of the household, $25,000 is paid if the deceased is the spouse or common law partner of the head of the household and $5,000 is paid if the deceased is either:
- a person under the age of nineteen (19) years who resides with and is principally dependent upon the head of the household or the spouse or common law partner of the head of the household for financial support,
- a person nineteen (19) years of age or over who, because of mental or physical infirmity, is principally dependent upon the head of the household or the spouse or common law partner of the head of the household for financial support, or
- a person nineteen (19) years of age or over who, because of fulltime attendance at a school, college or university, is principally dependent upon the head of the household or the spouse or common law partner of the head of the household for financial support.
To learn more about Section B Benefits in New Brunswick or to learn about those for Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island, Contact Us at 1-800-606-2529. CLG Injury Law has been helping clients who have suffered injuries from car accidents for over 28 years.
