In Alberta, standard auto insurance policies automatically include Section B benefits. This is a safety net designed to cover a portion of your immediate medical and recovery needs after a collision, regardless of who caused the accident.
Unfortunately, the process of accessing these benefits can sometimes feel like an uphill battle and may only cover some of your losses. You may be dealing with complex paperwork, tight deadlines, and the stress of wondering if necessary treatments will be suddenly cut off by the insurance company. But you don’t have to face this alone.
At Litco Law, our Calgary personal injury lawyers understand these struggles and are here to make the process easier. We can be your advocate, helping you navigate auto insurance coverage and explaining your options after a car accident. Call (587) 602-0514 or contact us for a free consultation today.
Get answers to the following topics and questions:
- What Are Section B Benefits in Alberta?
- How Litco Law’s Calgary Legal Team Supports Your Recovery
- Navigating the Section B Claims Process in Calgary
- Why Section B Benefits Can Be Complicated
- Calgary Section B Benefits: Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Calgary Section B Legal Team Can Help You Today
- Find Out if You Have a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim in Under One Minute for Free
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What Are Section B Benefits in Alberta?
If you’re a driver, passenger, or pedestrian injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to Section B benefits, even if you were responsible for the accident. Depending on the policy, Section B benefits may cover certain losses connected to the accident, such as:
- Reasonable medical care and rehabilitation costs
- Short-term disability benefits (wage replacement)
- If the accident led to the death of a loved one, grief counselling and funeral benefits to support the family
If you have questions about these benefits, get free legal answers from our team. We can walk you through the steps of a Calgary Section B benefits claim and how we might help.
How Litco Law’s Calgary Legal Team Supports Your Recovery
At Litco Law, we believe insurance should be there when you need it. After suffering injuries in a Calgary car accident, you deserve quick and easy access to your Section B benefits to help you start your recovery journey. If you’re not getting the support you need from the insurance company, here’s how we can help:
Our Team-Based Approach
When you work with us, you don’t just get a lawyer. You get your own personal legal team that will be with you throughout the course of your claim. We call this team a “pod,” and it includes a lawyer, a case manager, a client care specialist, and a legal assistant. Your team will handle all communication with insurance adjusters and make sure you are treated fairly.
Clear and Open Communication
If you decide to hire our Calgary lawyers, you’ll receive regular updates on your claim every 30 days or less, and a 24-hour response time for messages and questions. We explain everything in plain language, so you know what’s going on with your claim at every stage in the process.
Helping the Calgary Community Since 1976
Our Calgary car accident lawyers have served the community and advocated for the rights of injured Albertans after an accident for over 50 years. Our goal is to make legal help easier, more efficient, and more accessible, so you can focus on your health rather than the technical hurdles of the insurance process.
With two convenient Calgary legal offices, we can meet at our Britannia Crossing or International Avenue locations for a free consultation. We can also meet by phone, virtual meeting, or we’ll come to you.
What Our Calgary Clients Are Saying
With 800+ five-star Google reviews, we’re proud to know that we’re making a difference in people’s lives. Here are some client testimonials from people we’ve had the privilege of helping:
- “After my car accident, I was beyond stressed about what the future would hold for my family with the injuries I sustained, but Litco Law made things so seamless. They continually made sure I was informed about my case, and set my mind at ease every step of the way.” – Emily C.
- “The staff at Litco Law made the whole process very seamless and positive for my family of 5! Any questions I had were answered efficiently and detailed. I’m glad I chose Litco Law for my personal needs and highly recommend them to anyone else specifically for car accident injuries!” – Shania Y.
Navigating the Section B Claims Process in Calgary
We know Section B benefits can be confusing, especially if you don’t have experience with these types of claims. Here are key elements that can help you understand how it works:
No-Fault Basis
If you were injured in a car accident, Section B benefits can help cover essential medical care and lost wages—regardless of fault. Even if you were negligent (failed to use reasonable care) and caused the accident, you can still access Section B benefits through your own auto insurance policy.
The 30-Day Deadline
Insurance companies have strict deadlines, so it’s important to act quickly. The official paperwork (the AB-1 form) should be submitted within 30 days, and missing this deadline can make it much harder for you to get coverage.
If you’re injured and unable to handle the claims process on your own, we’re here for you. Our Calgary no-fault accident benefits lawyers can handle your claim from start to resolution, including managing deadlines and filing necessary paperwork.
Pre-Approved Treatments
If you have a common injury, like whiplash or a bad strain, you may not have to wait for an adjuster to approve certain treatments, such as physiotherapy or chiropractic sessions.
Depending on your injury, you may get either 10 or 21 pre-approved treatments right away under Alberta’s Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols. As long as you see a doctor or physical therapist within 10 days of the accident, you can typically start your recovery right away.
Changes to the No-Fault Insurance System
While Section B benefits don’t cover everything, they do offer important early support as you begin your recovery. Injured Albertans can also work with a lawyer to file a legal claim and pursue additional compensation for other losses, including pain and suffering.
Starting in 2027, Alberta will shift to the Alberta government’s proposed “Care-First” insurance system, which is no-fault insurance that will offer lifetime coverage for medical costs and other losses. However, it will not cover pain and suffering, and people who are injured may no longer have the right to sue the at-fault driver after it goes into effect.
Important!
If you agree to an insurance company’s settlement offer, you give up your legal right to pursue a personal injury claim. It is best to assess the full extent of your injuries and how they will affect your life before you accept an offer. Please note that you have a maximum of two years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim in Alberta.
Why Section B Benefits Can Be Complicated
Even though Section B benefits should be automatic, insurance companies can make it challenging to access your benefits. Here’s why things can get complicated:
Independent Medical Examinations
At some point, your insurer might ask you to see a doctor of their choosing for an independent medical examination (IME). While it might seem standard, the goal may be to determine if your treatment is still medically essential. As outlined in Alberta’s Standard Owner’s Automobile Policy, “medically essential” means that treatment for auto accident injuries must be considered necessary by both the injured person’s attending physician and the insurer’s medical advisor.
If the IME doctor decides you’ve recovered enough, the insurer may try to use that report to stop paying for your physiotherapy or other treatment sessions.
Denial of Benefits
In some cases, benefits may be cut off prematurely, even if your own doctor says you still need care. If this happens, you still have options. Consider seeking legal advice from a Calgary lawyer who can challenge their decision and get your treatments restarted.
Cost of Disbursements
To fight a denial, we may need to gather evidence, like a specialized medical report from your health care team. The cost to access these documents and other fees related to handling your case are called disbursements.
At Litco Law, we cover the cost of disbursements during your claim, and you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses. Your focus during this time is your recovery, while we handle the legal work.
Calgary Section B Benefits: Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions we get about Section B benefits claims in Calgary. To get answers specific to your situation, reach out to us at any time.
Do I Have to Pay My Lawyer for Help With Section B?
Along with our free consultations, there’s no cost to hire us to handle your car accident claim, including support with Section B benefits. We never bill by the hour. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement we recover for you, and you’ll know that percentage before you ever hire us.
What if My Own Insurance Company Denies My Treatment?
If your insurance company denies coverage for treatments, such as physiotherapy, surgery, massage therapy, or acupuncture, you have the legal right to challenge their decision and provide additional medical evidence from your own doctor. Litco Law can step in to handle the dispute and even cover the cost of medical reports needed to prove you still require care.
Can I Get Section B Benefits if I Was a Pedestrian or Cyclist?
Yes, as a pedestrian or cyclist, you are still entitled to Section B benefits through your own auto policy. If you don’t have insurance coverage, the claim goes through the insurance policy of the driver who struck you. These no-fault benefits will cover your immediate medical bills, such as physiotherapy and prescriptions, regardless of who was responsible.
How Long Do Section B Benefits Last in Alberta?
Section B benefits generally cover your medical and rehabilitation expenses for up to two years from the date of the accident. There is also a financial cap of $50,000, which means your coverage ends once you reach that dollar limit or the two-year mark, whichever comes first.
Do I Need a Lawyer To File for Section B?
While you’re not required to work with a lawyer to claim Section B benefits, having a legal professional by your side can be beneficial if your insurer denies your claim or cuts off your treatments early. At Litco Law, we can handle these sometimes complex disputes on your behalf. We also cover disbursements while your claim is ongoing, which are the costs of gathering the evidence needed to prove your claim.
Our Calgary Section B Legal Team Can Help You Today
If you were injured in a car accident and need assistance with Section B benefits, we’re here to help. Lawyers You’ll Love will go the extra mile to make your life easier after an accident, providing award-winning legal services and compassionate support to help you get through this difficult time.
Contact us for a free consultation by calling (587) 602-0514 or reaching out online today. We’ll help you find the solution, even if we’re not it.
