Who Pays for a Mobile 3D Biomechanical Functional Assessment After a Motor Vehicle Collision?
Understanding the Different Funding Options Available to Ontario Lawyers and Paralegals
When representing clients injured in a motor vehicle collision, one of the biggest challenges is obtaining objective evidence that demonstrates how an injury affects a person's ability to function.
Pain is subjective.
Medical imaging often explains structural injury.
But neither necessarily explains how well someone can actually move.
At Rotation Performance Lab™, our Mobile 3D Biomechanical Functional Assessment using RPL PROAi™ provides an objective measurement of movement quality, balance, mobility, stability, compensation patterns, and functional limitations.
A common question from legal professionals is:
"Who pays for the assessment?"
The answer is that there are several options depending on the circumstances of the claim.
Option 1 – Accident Benefits (SABS)
In some cases, the assessment may be proposed as part of an insured person's rehabilitation or assessment plan through Ontario's Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).
Depending on the circumstances, the assessment may be included within an approved treatment or assessment plan where appropriate and where insurer approval is obtained if required. Assessment expenses under SABS are governed by specific legislative requirements and cost guidelines.
Every file is different.
Approval depends on factors such as:
the client's injuries
medical necessity
available funding
insurer approval requirements
the stage of rehabilitation
We are happy to coordinate with the treating rehabilitation team when appropriate.
Option 2 – Lawyer Retainer (Most Common)
Many personal injury firms choose to retain the assessment directly.
In this model:
Rotation Performance Lab™ performs the assessment.
The law firm pays the assessment fee.
The expense becomes a litigation disbursement.
The cost is typically addressed in accordance with the firm's retainer and the resolution of the legal matter.
For many firms, this approach allows objective evidence to be obtained promptly without waiting for insurer decisions.
Current Mobile Assessment Fee:
$500
This includes:
Mobile on-site assessment
Objective 3D movement analysis
Functional biomechanical testing
Digital movement measurements
Comprehensive professional report
Clinical findings suitable for legal and rehabilitation use
Option 3 – Client Pays
Occasionally, a client may choose to pay privately for the assessment.
This option is often selected when:
insurer funding is unavailable,
timing is important,
the client wants objective documentation before litigation progresses,
or the assessment is requested for rehabilitation planning rather than insurer funding.
Option 4 – Rehabilitation Team Referral
A physician, chiropractor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurse practitioner, or other regulated healthcare provider may recommend an objective biomechanical assessment to assist with clinical decision-making, rehabilitation planning, or progress measurement, depending on the needs of the case.
Why Lawyers Are Requesting Objective Functional Assessments
Traditional documentation often includes:
pain scales
range of motion
subjective complaints
These are important.
However, they may not fully demonstrate how an injury affects function.
RPL PROAi™ measures movement objectively, including:
Joint mobility
Functional stability
Balance performance
Dynamic postural control
Movement compensation
Weight shifting
Asymmetry
Rotational capacity
Functional movement quality
Progress over time
This information can assist legal professionals in understanding how injuries may affect activities of daily living, work capacity, recreational activities, and overall functional performance.
Why Mobile Assessments Matter
Following a collision, many clients have difficulty travelling to multiple appointments.
Our mobile assessment model allows us to perform testing at:
law offices
rehabilitation clinics
physiotherapy clinics
chiropractic clinics
occupational therapy clinics
medical clinics
the client's residence (when appropriate)
This reduces barriers to obtaining timely objective documentation.
Independent and Objective
At Rotation Performance Lab™, our role is to provide objective functional biomechanical information.
We do not determine liability or legal entitlement.
Instead, we measure movement using standardized technology and document what the assessment demonstrates at the time of testing.
Our reports are designed to complement—not replace—the clinical opinions of the client's treating healthcare providers and should be interpreted within the broader medical and legal context.
This approach aligns with regulated practice expectations emphasizing informed consent, client-centred care, and professional documentation.
The Bottom Line
Every personal injury file is unique.
The funding pathway for an objective biomechanical assessment may vary depending on:
insurer approval under SABS where applicable,
the rehabilitation team's recommendations,
a lawyer's decision to retain the assessment as a litigation disbursement,
or private payment by the client.
Regardless of the funding source, the goal remains the same:
To provide objective, measurable evidence of functional movement that can support rehabilitation planning and help legal professionals better understand how an injury affects a person's everyday function.
