Available Reports
Decision No. 1275/22
2023 ONWSIAT 329
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal
2023-03-02
PSR validity scales indicated a non-credible response style and symptom over-reporting.
The neuropsychological assessment included the Pain Symptoms Ratings Inventory – Revised as part of a symptom validity battery. Results indicated endorsement of atypical symptoms, maximum pain ratings, and inconsistencies, supporting a conclusion of deliberate symptom magnification.
Perri v Allstate
2022 ONLAT 20-010160/AABS
Licence Appeal Tribunal – Automobile Accident Benefits Service
2022-07-14
PSR validity scales indicated exaggerated reporting and invalid psychological test results.
During an insurer psychological examination, multiple psychometric tests were administered including the Rey 15 Item Test, TOMM, SIMS, Brief Carroll Depression Scale, and the Pain Symptom Rating Scale. The PSR results fell outside normal limits on four primary validity scales, indicating significant validity concerns.
Aragon v Intact
2022 ONLAT 20-004136/AABS
Licence Appeal Tribunal
2022-05-17
PSR validity testing demonstrated exaggerated symptom reporting and supported the tribunal’s finding that the applicant’s impairments remained within the Minor Injury Guideline.
The insurer psychologist administered several validity measures including the Pain Symptom Rating Scale. The applicant’s scores were higher than 97.3% of the normative sample, suggesting that her reported pain and activity limitations were invalid and exaggerated.
I.D. v Aviva
2020 ONLAT 19-001450/AABS
Licence Appeal Tribunal – Automobile Accident Benefits Service
2020-09-23
PSR testing was used as part of standardized psychological assessment evaluating accident-related psychological impairment.
During an insurer neuropsychological examination, the assessor administered several psychological tests including Pain-symptom Ratings, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, and the Brief Symptom Inventory to evaluate psychological functioning following the accident.
Decision No. 2525/18
2018 ONWSIAT 3800
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal
2018-12-06
PSR inventory was administered during neuropsychological testing evaluating the credibility and psychological aspects of reported symptoms.
During a multidisciplinary brain injury assessment at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, neuropsychological testing included the Pain Symptom Ratings Inventory – Revised as part of a broader evaluation of cognitive and psychological functioning.
Applicant v Aviva (NEB)
Licence Appeal Tribunal
2018-10-03
PSR was administered within a battery of validity tests used to evaluate the credibility of self-reported symptoms.
Dr. David Prendergast administered multiple standardized validation tests including the REY Memory Test, TOMM, Modified Somatic Symptoms Questionnaire, and Pain Symptom Rating Scale. The testing indicated over-reporting and malingering responses, which supported the conclusion that the applicant was an unreliable historian.
Applicant v Certas Direct
Licence Appeal Tribunal
2018-04-25
PSR-R was administered as part of a validity-testing battery in a psychological insurer examination assessing symptom exaggeration.
The respondent’s psychologist administered PSR-R along with TOMM and other psychometric instruments. The results suggested the applicant magnified her symptoms and did not provide sufficiently reliable data for a psychological diagnosis.
Applicant v Unifund
Licence Appeal Tribunal
2017-11-22
PSR testing was used by an insurer-retained psychologist to identify symptom magnification, but the tribunal ultimately preferred the treating psychologist’s evidence.
The insurer’s independent psychological examination reported elevated PSR scores suggesting symptom magnification. However, the adjudicator preferred the treating psychologist’s diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder and awarded psychological assessment and treatment benefits.
B.W. v Royal SunAlliance
Licence Appeal Tribunal
2017-03-28
The adjudicator preferred the report of a qualified psychologist who administered the MSPQ and PSR-R and found no psychological impairment taking the applicant outside the MIG.
This LAT decision records that Dr. Sherri MacKay administered the MSPQ and PSR-R and gave evidence that the applicant did not suffer a psychological impairment related to the accident. The adjudicator found Dr. MacKay's assessment more persuasive than the competing social work opinion and held that the applicant remained within the MIG.
Decision No. 572/15
2015 ONWSIAT 1426
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal
2015-06-29
PSR results were cited to show that the worker’s reported pain did not significantly interfere with vocational planning.
During a psycho-vocational assessment conducted as part of labour market re-entry planning, the Pain Symptoms Rating Scale indicated no significant pain issues that would interfere with vocational planning.
Nadesu v Zurich
2015 ONFSCDRS 113
Financial Services Commission of Ontario Arbitration
2015-05-27
PSR testing demonstrated symptom amplification and pain-focused behaviour consistent with a psychological pain disorder rather than malingering.
A psychologist conducted standardized testing including the Pain Symptom Rating Scale to evaluate the credibility and psychological basis of the claimant’s reported pain. The results reflected symptom amplification and magnification but did not indicate malingering.
Decision No. 774/08
2012 ONWSIAT 1550
Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal
2012-07-10
PSR results indicated extreme pain focus and catastrophization consistent with Chronic Pain Disorder.
During psycho-vocational testing, the worker’s responses on the Pain Symptoms Rating scale reflected extreme pain focus, catastrophization, depression and helplessness, indicating Chronic Pain Disorder and interfering with vocational planning.
Jaiprasad v Personal
2007 ONFSCDRS 29
Financial Services Commission of Ontario Arbitration
2007-02-15
PSR testing formed part of a psychometric battery demonstrating unreliable symptom reporting.
Psychologist Dr. Prendergast administered a battery of psychometric tests including the TOMM, Rey Memory Test, SIMS, and the Pain Symptom Rating Scale. The results fell within the critical range, suggesting poor effort or intentional exaggeration.