BC follows Ontario in reviewing auto-injury assessment practices

Progressive change is infectious. Just one week after hearing the Ontario government's pledge to set up 'independent' assessment centres for victims of auto injuries, the British Columbia government is making a similar commitment of its own.

This morning the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) announced that it would be conducting a full-scale review of the doctors who can assess auto accident victims for insurance purposes. ICBC is looking to weed out doctors that have been bringing down the system by writing unfair or inaccurate reports and putting their own desires ahead of the victims' needs.

"In addition to responding appropriately to any discipline or sanctions put in place by the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons, we will also now review how our IME doctors fared at trial and will consider removing them from our roster whenever there is compelling evidence or a perception of bias, or where doctors have failed in their duty to assist the court," read an official ICBC statement.

The Crown corporation has already begun taking action. It dropped orthopedic surgeon Martin Grympa from its list of approved physicians, based on a long history of carelessness and mismanagement that has been verified by legal assessments.

However, it does not appear that ICBC will be completely mimicking Ontario and setting up 'independent' assessment centres.

"Independent medical examinations are work done outside the public health-care system by physicians," said the B.C. government.