The Minor Injury Guideline (MIG): Why Ontario’s $3,500 Cap Could Be Costing You Thousands

What Is the Minor Injury Guideline?

The Minor Injury Guideline (MIG) is a SABS framework applicable to claimants whose injuries are classified as “minor.” Under the MIG, total combined medical and rehabilitation benefits are capped at $3,500, inclusive of assessments. This compares to $65,000 available to non-MIG claimants — making MIG classification disputes genuinely high-stakes.

What Injuries Attract MIG Classification

The MIG applies to sprains, strains, whiplash-associated disorders (WAD I and II), contusions, abrasions, and lacerations. Insurers frequently apply the MIG reflexively upon reviewing the initial OCF-3 Disability Certificate, often without adequate investigation of the claimant’s full presentation.

Psychological Injuries and the MIG

Psychological conditions — PTSD, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders — are expressly excluded from the definition of minor injuries. Where a claimant has a genuine psychological component to their post-accident condition, MIG classification is inappropriate and should be challenged with supporting psychiatric or psychological evidence.

How to Challenge a MIG Classification

Successfully challenging MIG classification requires comprehensive documentation from treating providers. The OCF-3 and OCF-18 treatment plans must clearly describe functional limitations inconsistent with minor injury. A psychological or psychiatric assessment documenting post-traumatic conditions, or a physiatric opinion identifying pre-existing conditions, provides the factual foundation for a successful MIG challenge at FSRA arbitration.