What is it? Who can complete it? And when does it have to be submitted?
Upon being informed that an insured has been involved in a car accident, the insurer will send the insured person a lot of paper. Navigating and understanding the enclosed forms is completely overwhelming. As lawyers who only practice personal injury law in Ontario, we are acutely aware of this phenomenon and are ready to help.
One of the forms sent to the insured is the OCF-3 Disability Certificate. This form is crucial because it directly impacts entitlement to benefits such as income replacement or, where the insured was not working at the time of the accident, non-earner benefits.
At Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers, serving clients across eastern Ontario, we regularly help accident victims understand the OCF-3 process and ensure it’s completed properly.
What is the OCF-3 Disability Certificate?
This form must be completed for the insured person to claim:
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- Income Replacement Benefits;
- Non-Earner Benefit (for people not working at the time of the accident);
- Caregiver benefit; or
- Housekeeping or home maintenance services.
The OCF-3 is a standard form required by Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS). It provides the insurance company with medical confirmation of disability after a motor vehicle accident. Essentially, the OCF-3 answers two critical questions:
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- Does the insured have an injury or impairment as a result of the accident?
- Do those impairments prevent the insured from returning to their pre-accident:
- Work;
- Life activities;
- Caregiving duties;
- School; and/or
- Housekeeping and home maintenance duties.
When is it submitted to the insurance company?
After an accident, the OCF-3 Disability Certificate should be submitted as quickly as possible.
Section 36 (3) of the Statutory Accident Benefit Schedule states that the insurance company is not liable to pay benefits that are otherwise available for any period before the completed certificate is submitted.
As well, over the course of an Accident Benefit claim, an insurer may ask for the insured person to have the form completed again by their health practitioner to make sure the insured person is still entitled to the benefit(s) being claimed.
Who Can Complete the OCF-3 Form?
The only health practitioners authorized to complete the form are:
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- Chiropractor
- Dentist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Occupational Therapist
- Optometrist
- Physician
- Physiotherapist
- Psychologist
- Speech-language pathologist
Each of these professionals can assess specific injuries and provide their opinion on how the injuries impair the insured’s ability to work and function day-to-day.
For example, if you suffer a serious spinal injury in a collision, your physician or specialist may be better suited to complete the form. If you experience psychological trauma, such as PTSD after a catastrophic accident, a psychologist might be best suited to provide the assessment.
Why Professional Input Matters
Having the OCF-3 completed accurately and promptly is essential. A well-documented disability certificate strengthens your Accident Benefits claim and helps avoid delays or disputes with your insurer.
At Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers, we work closely with medical professionals across eastern Ontario to ensure our clients receive the full benefits they deserve after a serious or catastrophic injury. You can find a link to the OCF-3 here.
If you’ve been in an accident and need guidance with your OCF-3 or any aspect of your Accident Benefits claim, contact us today for a free consultation.
SAMUEL DAVIES
Sam is an associate lawyer at Bergeron Clifford LLP.
His range of experience in civil litigation includes advocating in medical negligence, mental health, motor vehicle and boating accident actions, statutory accident benefits and various other personal injury matters.
