What is the definition of total disability under s. 80(1) of the Employment Benefits Act?

British Columbia, Canada


The following excerpt is from Prato v. Insurance Corp. of British Columbia, 2003 BCSC 76 (CanLII):

In reaching my conclusion, I have relied on the definition of total disability found in Kenni v. Insurance Corp. of British Columbia, [1993] B.C.J. No. 2904 (S.C.), commencing at para. 9. There, Holmes J. assigned a "contextually reasonable" rather than literal meaning to s. 80, namely, that the injured person demonstrate an inability to perform any substantial requirement of the employment duties under consideration or to substantially perform all the material requirements in the usual and customary manner. This approach avoids the illogical result that would obtain if coverage were to be denied so long as the applicant was capable of performing any aspect of his or her employment.

Other Questions


In what circumstances will the Court of Appeal in South Africa order that the beneficiaries of a disability benefit be considered to be beneficiaries of the disability benefits scheme? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the effect of long-term disability benefits when a plaintiff is dismissed on the grounds that the employer is having economic difficulties? (British Columbia, Canada)
Can a person who is unable to pay for a long-term disability care plan have access to disability benefits? (British Columbia, Canada)
What is the definition of “total disability” in the context of Section 80(1) of the BC Insurance Act? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is a plaintiff totally disabled from any occupation under the terms of her disability policy? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is an employer required to inquire if an employee is ill or disabled before terminating their employment? (British Columbia, Canada)
If an employer loses trust in an employee as a result of an employer's orders, in the matter of substance being willfully disobeyed and met with insubordination, can an employer dismiss the employee? (British Columbia, Canada)
Is there a risk of irreparable harm to an employer if an employee loses their employment benefits? (British Columbia, Canada)
Does a joint tenant who takes the entire benefit of real property through survivorship must take the burden associated with the benefit? (British Columbia, Canada)
Can a motor vehicle accident be employment-connected where the accident occurred on a driveway or roadway extending between the employer's premises and the public roadway? (British Columbia, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.