What You Need to Know About Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS)

June 05, 2025, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Ontario, you may be entitled to receive compensation through the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS). This benefit system applies regardless of who was at fault for the collision, offering a financial safety net to help with recovery. However, the rules surrounding SABS can be confusing and overwhelming—especially if you are coping with serious injuries.

What Is the SABS?

The Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule is a mandatory component of every auto insurance policy in Ontario. It provides accident victims with access to benefits such as:

• Medical and Rehabilitation Benefits
• Attendant Care Benefits
• Income Replacement or Non-Earner Benefits
• Caregiver Benefits (in some cases)
• Death and Funeral Benefits

These benefits are available to all Ontario drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists injured in a car accident. However, the amount and duration of benefits you receive depend on the severity of your injuries and the insurance coverage in place.

Minor, Non-Minor, and Catastrophic Injuries

SABS classifies injuries into three categories:

1. Minor Injuries – Soft tissue injuries such as sprains or whiplash. Benefits for these are capped at $3,500 for treatment.
2. Non-Minor Injuries – More serious but not catastrophic. Coverage can reach up to $65,000 for a combination of medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits.
3. Catastrophic Injuries – Life-altering injuries, such as severe brain trauma or paralysis. Benefits can reach $1 million or more.

Insurance companies often dispute how injuries are categorized, which can delay or limit your access to much-needed financial support.

Challenges in Accessing Benefits

While SABS is designed to provide fast access to care and compensation, the reality is that many accident victims encounter obstacles. Insurers may:

• Delay approving treatment plans
• Challenge the medical evidence
• Deny claims without proper explanation
• Require complex paperwork and assessments

These hurdles can cause unnecessary stress at a time when your focus should be on healing.

Why You Should Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer

At Deutschmann de Koning Personal Injury Law, we have extensive experience helping clients navigate the SABS system. Our legal team works closely with medical experts and rehabilitation professionals to ensure your injuries are properly documented and fairly categorized. We take over communication with the insurer, manage paperwork, and advocate on your behalf—so you can focus on recovery.

We understand how insurance companies operate and what is needed to push your claim forward. Whether you're fighting for income replacement benefits, attendant care, or increased coverage for a catastrophic injury, we are here to ensure you receive the full benefits you are entitled to.

Book a Free Consultation Today

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, time is critical. The sooner you speak to a personal injury lawyer, the better positioned you’ll be to secure the benefits and compensation you need.

Contact Deutschmann de Koning Personal Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights under Ontario’s SABS and fight to get you the support you deserve.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.