Will ICBC Pay for Medical Marijuana in Personal Injury Cases?

Most personal injury claims arise from motor vehicle accidents.  With the legalization of marijuana, more people who suffer from chronic pain resulting from accidents are now using marijuana to treat their injuries. Although the use of marijuana to treat accident-related injuries has significantly increased over the years, persons are still unclear on whether the ICBC will pay for medical marijuana in personal injury cases.

Who has access to medical marijuana?

Since the legalization of recreational use of Marijuana in October 2018, you may now access marijuana for pain relief without a prescription. However, marijuana must be prescribed by a medical doctor for it to be considered medicinal.

Does ICBC pay for medical marijuana treatment?

Under the current laws, there is no specific provision for the coverage of medical marijuana treatment in ICBC cases. Although a clause exists which allows ICBC to make payments discretionally, generally, the ICBC does not cover medical marijuana medication for persons with chronic pain from their injuries.

The debate concerning medical marijuana and ICBC coverage is expected to continue in the legal community.  It is likely that within a few years and with research and policies put in place, it may be determined that medical marijuana should be accepted as a recognized treatment for personal injury. This would reflect on whether ICBC will be required to pay for medical marijuana in personal injury cases. Until then, you may have to pay for medical marijuana out of pocket.

Are you looking for a personal injury lawyer in Surrey?

Were you injured in a car accident and want to hire a personal injury lawyer to file an ICBC claim? Do you still have questions regarding the ICBC’s policy on paying for medical marijuana? If so, the legal team at Nirwan Law Corporation can help.

At Nirwan Law Corporation, we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Our experienced personal injury lawyer, Harpreet Nirwan, has years of experience handling ICBC cases. He has appeared both in the Provincial Courts and Supreme Courts hundreds of times. Harpreet Nirwan also has a wealth of experience conducting mediations in personal injury claims and has collected millions of dollars in settlements and judgments for his personal injury clients.

At Nirwan Law Corporation, the initial consultation is free. And if you choose to work with us, you will not be required to pay any legal fees upfront. You will only have to pay legal fees if we win a settlement or court determined payment on your behalf. We also know that while waiting for a decision in your personal injury case, the medical bills can pile up. For that reason, we have a network of healthcare providers who will treat you and accept payment later. Furthermore, if you have trouble moving around because of your injuries that will not be a problem. We will come to you.

So, what are you waiting for? If you were injured in an accident and need to file an ICBC claim, give us a call today to schedule a free legal consultation with our personal injury lawyer. Let us show you how we can help with your case.  We will also continue to closely monitor developments as it relates to how the ICBC treats with coverage for medical marijuana and provide updates accordingly.

Silvana Agolli: