If an insurer has denied your accident benefits, you do not have to accept that decision as the final word. The Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) hears disputes about denied benefits, and in July 2026 it introduced a new mandatory form that changes how you prepare for one of the key steps in that process.

This guide explains how the LAT process works for accident-benefit disputes, confirms that the July 2026 changes to the benefits system did not take away your right to appeal, and walks through the new Case Conference Summary Form. It is general information to help you understand what to expect, not advice about your case.

Key takeaways

  • The Licence Appeal Tribunal (through AABS) hears disputes about denied auto accident benefits.
  • A June 26, 2026 LAT Operational Update confirmed the July 1, 2026 SABS reforms do not affect the right to appeal a denied benefit.
  • A new mandatory Case Conference Summary Form applies where the Notice of Case Conference is issued on or after July 1, 2026.
  • The process generally runs from application to case conference to hearing to decision.
  • Preparation and meeting deadlines matter at every stage.

What the LAT does for accident-benefit disputes

When you and your auto insurer disagree about a statutory accident benefit (for example, the insurer denies or stops a benefit), the dispute is generally decided by the Licence Appeal Tribunal through its Automobile Accident Benefits Service (AABS). The LAT is an independent tribunal, separate from your insurer, that hears these disagreements and issues decisions.

Common disputes include denied or terminated medical and rehabilitation funding, disagreements about income replacement or other benefits, and disputes over whether a treatment plan should be approved. The LAT process is meant to be more accessible than a court, but it still has steps, deadlines, and forms to follow.

The July 1, 2026 reforms did not remove your right to appeal

Ontario’s accident-benefits system changed significantly on July 1, 2026, when most benefits became optional. That raised a natural question for anyone in a dispute: does the reform affect the right to challenge a denied benefit?

A LAT Operational Update dated June 26, 2026 confirmed that the July 1, 2026 amendments to the accident-benefits schedule do not affect the right to appeal a denied accident benefit to the Licence Appeal Tribunal. In other words, if a benefit that applies to you is denied, you generally still have the same route to dispute that denial at the LAT.

The new mandatory Case Conference Summary Form

The most concrete procedural change for 2026 is a new form. The LAT introduced a mandatory Case Conference Summary Form for all LAT-AABS case conferences where the Notice of Case Conference is issued on or after July 1, 2026.

The case conference is a meeting, usually held before any hearing, where the parties and a tribunal adjudicator discuss the issues, explore whether the dispute can be settled, and plan next steps if it cannot. The new summary form is meant to help everyone come to that meeting prepared, with the issues and positions set out in advance.

Question Answer
What is the form? A mandatory Case Conference Summary Form for LAT-AABS case conferences.
When does it apply? Where the Notice of Case Conference is issued on or after July 1, 2026.
What is its purpose? To summarize the issues and each party’s position ahead of the case conference.
Does the SABS reform change appeal rights? No. The June 26, 2026 operational update confirmed the right to appeal a denied benefit is unaffected.

The LAT stages, step by step

While every case is different, an accident-benefit dispute at the LAT generally moves through these stages:

  1. Application. You start the dispute by filing an application with the LAT-AABS, setting out the benefits in dispute and why you disagree with the insurer’s decision.
  2. Case conference. The parties meet with an adjudicator to identify the issues, discuss settlement, and schedule next steps. For notices issued on or after July 1, 2026, the mandatory Case Conference Summary Form applies here.
  3. Hearing. If the dispute is not resolved, it proceeds to a hearing, which may be conducted in writing, by video or teleconference, or in person, depending on the case.
  4. Decision. The adjudicator issues a decision on the benefits in dispute.

Practical tips for preparing your dispute

Keep the denial letter. The insurer’s explanation for the denial tells you what you need to address.

  • Organize your records. Medical reports, treatment plans, and correspondence with the insurer help support your position.
  • Be clear about the issues. Identify exactly which benefits are in dispute; the Case Conference Summary Form is built around setting out the issues and your position.
  • Watch the deadlines. The LAT process has timelines for filing and for steps along the way. Missing one can affect your dispute.
  • Prepare for the case conference. Come ready to discuss settlement and next steps, and complete any required form fully and on time.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still appeal a denied benefit after the July 2026 changes?

Yes. The LAT Operational Update dated June 26, 2026 confirmed that the July 1, 2026 amendments to the accident-benefits schedule do not affect the right to appeal a denied accident benefit to the Licence Appeal Tribunal. If a benefit that applies to you is denied, you generally still have the ability to dispute that decision at the LAT.

What is a case conference?

A case conference is a meeting, usually held before any hearing, where the parties and a tribunal adjudicator discuss the issues in dispute, explore whether the matter can be settled, and plan the next steps if it cannot. For LAT-AABS case conferences with a Notice of Case Conference issued on or after July 1, 2026, a mandatory Case Conference Summary Form applies.

Do I have to fill out the new Case Conference Summary Form?

If your case conference has a Notice of Case Conference issued on or after July 1, 2026, the Case Conference Summary Form is mandatory for LAT-AABS matters. Its purpose is to summarize the issues and each party’s position so that everyone arrives at the case conference prepared. Confirm the current requirements and forms with Tribunals Ontario.

Does going to the LAT mean I will have a full hearing?

Not always. Many disputes are resolved at or after the case conference without a full hearing. If the matter does not settle, it proceeds to a hearing, which may be in writing, by video or teleconference, or in person, depending on the case, followed by a decision.

Disputing a denied accident benefit can feel daunting, especially with new forms and a system that changed in July 2026. If your benefits have been denied or cut off, Azimi Law can explain how the LAT process applies to your situation and what preparing for it involves. We make no promises about the outcome, only a clear picture of your options. You are welcome to contact us to talk it through.