The insurance industry is trying to pass with expedient haste and through the back door — a new law — to eliminate any punishments against the insurance companies for not paying for treatments to the car victims. NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh commented while the proposed bill reduces costs for the insurance industry, there’s no proof that companies will pass on the savings to the consumers. “We know that we need to get at the true profits that the insurance companies are making and we know that the profits are there,” Singh said.

On the legislative floor, ORDER OF THE DAY, March 17, 2014, Jagmeet Singh:

I think this issue was put very well by Alan Shanoff on March 15, 2014, in an article written for the Toronto Sun entitled “Little Benefit for Victims”. He summarizes his response to Bill 171, Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act.

Now, I challenge the Liberal government, I challenge the members on the other side, to show me how this bill, particularly the two components I talked about-how will changing the dispute resolution system from the FSCO arbitrators to the Licence Appeal Tribunal reduce fraud? It won’t. I dare you to show me how it will. You can’t show that. So your title that says “Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act” in that regard is false. I challenge you to show me how reducing the interest rates charged to encourage insurance companies to settle quicker-reducing them from 5% to 1.3%-reduces fraud in any way. I challenge you to show me how that reduces fraud. You won’t be able to show me that. Again, the title “Fighting Fraud and Reducing Automobile Insurance Rates Act” is false in those two areas, and those are the two biggest components of this bill.

Now, the article written by Mr. Shanoff was quite to the point, and I love the way he summarized this issue. In his final summary of this issue of Bill 171, he writes, “I can see where reduction of interest rates, removal of special awards and shunting cases away from experienced, independent arbitrators would benefit insurance companies.

“But where is the benefit to drivers and accident victims?” I agree wholeheartedly.

Later Singh:

Reading from Mr. Shanoff’s article again, if we’re really serious about protecting drivers, Mr. Shanoff writes, “Another real way to protect drivers is to provide arbitrators with the power to penalize insurers that act unreasonably in withholding or delaying penalties.” If arbitrators had a tool of that sort, they could use this to send a message to penalize insurers if they’re acting unreasonably. This power exists right now.

Mr. Shanoff writes: “Actually, arbitrators hearing accident benefit cases currently have that power under the Insurance Act.

“They can award a lump sum of up to 50% of the amount withheld or delayed, along with interest, at the rate of 2% compounded monthly.”

I ask the government again to explain-Bill 171 eliminates this power, gets rid of this ability for the arbitrator to penalize an insurer if they’re withholding a sum or a settlement-how getting rid of this power, getting rid of this ability to penalize the insurers for acting inappropriately, for acting unreasonably, in any way reduces fraud. How does getting rid of this power in any way protect consumers?

1750

Actually, I’m going to quote from the article by Alan Shanoff. Now, I’m quoting the Toronto Sun, so you never really know what you’re going to end up in a day-but Alan actually rightly points out, and he takes exception to, the haste. He says, “But what is most objectionable about Bill 171 is the haste with which it has been introduced-just two weeks following release of the Ontario Automobile Insurance Dispute Resolution System Review by J. Douglas Cunningham, a former Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice”-very well qualified.

“That must be some sort of speed record.”

“But with this haste there has been no opportunity for input by stakeholders.”

Once again, and this seems to be a trend that we have seen in this House, a piece of legislation comes to the floor and there are gaps in that legislation. The promise or the offer is put out, “Well, let’s get this to committee and fix it.” This is something that I do not understand. Why don’t they just bring the legislation, in its full entirety, to the floor of the House so that we could actually have a productive conversation and a debate about Bill 171, in this instance?

Some insurers want Feb. 1 changes to auto insurance benefits applied retroactively. The Ontario government quietly changed the law in December, 2013 effective February 1, 2014 reversing an earlier decision made by the unanimous penal of Judges of the Ontario Court of Appeal. The insurance industry does not want to pay proper compensation to the caregivers of the accident victims. If your child or a spouse was bedridden because of the car accident and you left your job to look after him/her, your compensation would be limited to the amount of your income. Even if you now work 24/7 your pre-accident (part-time or full time income) will limit how much the insurance company has to pay you. The caregiver can effectively work below the minimum wage. Parents or spouses may have left their jobs to provide attendant care: including feeding, dressing, toileting, bathing, transportation to and for clinics, purchasing and and administering medications, or cooking, but they cannot be compensated for their work appropriately because of this new law.

Since attendant care benefits are not available for victims who suffer only minor injuries in car crashes and are significant only for those who have suffered catastrophic injuries, this will harm the most vulnerable victims. This is incredibly mean-spirited. The insurance companies are laughing all the way to the back as the seriously injured car accident victims being robed off essential care yet once again. This approach will certainly lead to numerous disputed claims and delayed payments for attendant care accident benefits. Claims will face lengthy delays as they proceed through the mediation and arbitration or court challenges. The government agency that mediates these disputes was forced to hire another unregulated agency to deal with the backlog. The government passed this regulation without any advance notice or public consultation. This law must be reversed. Neglecting to take this step would show bad faith by the provincial government towards accident victims and a lack of regard for procedural fairness.

I view this reduction in accident benefits as insurance industry attempt to keep its billion dollar profits and shielding themselves to the government’s promise to reduce auto insurance premiums by 15 percent. I don’t remember NDP Leader Andrea Horwath’s demand for a 15 percent premium reduction in auto insurance rates being tied to reductions in auto insurance coverage. I don’t recall Premier Kathleen Wynne announcing the 15 percent reduction as part of a package which included less insurance coverage. After all, ANYBODY can promise and deliver an insurance rate reduction WHEN coverage is reduced. Perhaps she believes voters will only remember her demands for the premium reduction and will ignore the fact the reduction is being used as an excuse to reduce coverage and thus harm accident victims and their families.

The Ontario Superior Court released its decision in Zantingh et al v. Jerry case involving a dog bite of a little girl. The court thoroughly reviewed the law in dog bite cases. Justice Leach awarded $60,000 to the minor plaintiff in general damages for “noticeable, pronounced and obviously disfiguring scars”. This case is also important for the individuals who look after the children who have suffered dog bites. The Judge reviewed the issue of contributory negligence of a caregiver looking after the child of tender years. No contributory negligence was found on the part of the caregiver. The Judge awarded damages to the parents and sibling of the minor.

Title: The Judge in the Hamilton Court comes down hard on the insurance company for delaying compensation to the car accident victim.

In the case of Ross v. Bucchus, the plaintiff Ross was injured in a motor vehicle accident. He was awarded $248,000 after a six-day trial in Hamilton. Unsurprisingly, the trial was expensive. The plaintiff’s trial costs were at $140,000. The plaintiff’s lawyers were seeking additional $60,000 for the defendant’s (represented by his insurance company Certas) failure to comply with its obligations to mediate the case as dictated by the Insurance Act.

Justice Ramsay noted in his decision that although the lawyer hired by the Insurance Company Certas representing the defendant did agree to a brief mediation at limited costs , they had advised the plaintiff they were not interested in settling this case. Justice Ramsay inferred that the insurer was conducting itself in such a way in hopes of intimidating the plaintiff and deterring other plaintiffs who had meritorious cases. The defendant has provided an offer to settle for $30,000.00, the plaintiff’s offer was $80,000 before starting the trial. Justice Ramsey noted that it took a 6-day trial with all its attendant risk for the sake of $50,000.00. which the defendant could afford and the plaintiff could not. He found that the defendant did not attempt to settle expeditiously as required by the Insurance Act and the mediation was described “as a sham”. By refusing to mediate the trial judge augmented the cost award by $60,000 plus HST. This is a marked victory for the litigants who seek justice for their injuries. Finally, the courts have send a strong message to the greedy insurance corporations. This is a reaction to the years of insurance intimidation towards the litigants with limited means to have their cases heard by the court.

Click here to read the full case.

1. How much does it cost for a consultation about my situation?

Answer: There is absolutely no cost for your first, confidential, assessment. You can tell your story in your own words and we will assess your situation and advice you accordingly. There is never any obligation for you to hire us as your representation. We will advise you on your injury and you can go from there.

2. If I hire your firm to represent me, how do you get paid?

Answer: We operate under a contingency fee structure so you are not required to pay a retainer or fees for other services such as disbursements (money we spent in order to fund your claim) as long as your case can be settled without going to trial. Therefore, our fee comes from the defending insurance company at time of resolution whether trial or settlement.

3. Should I sign anything before consulting a lawyer?

Answer: No. You should never sign anything until you have spoken to a lawyer who represents your needs and not anyone else’s. Only a lawyer working on your behalf is concerned about you and your rights. Do not ever sign anything until you have informed, legal advice from a qualified lawyer who works on your behalf. This person should be a member in good standing with Law Society of Upper Canada.

4. What does “No-fault” insurance mean and how does it apply to me?

Answer: No-fault insurance applies to any accidents where the insured claims accident benefits from his or her own insurance company even when the accident is caused by that person. These are called Accident Benefits. Therefore, if you were injured in a car accident and you were at fault, you are still eligible to receive accident benefits from your own insurance company. If you were not at fault for the accident you are eligible for accident benefits as well as a tort claim.

5. What does “Tort” mean?

Answer: Tort refers the person who is at fault for the accident. If you are not at fault for your accident you can make a tort claim against the individual who caused the accident. As stated above, you are also eligible to receive Accident Benefits.

6. I was injured in a slip and fall accident not a motor vehicle accident. What compensation am I entitled to?

Answer: If you have sustained an injury in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, referred to as general damages, loss of income and loss of ability to earn income, housekeeping and home maintenance expenses and any healthcare expenses not covered by OHIP or other sources. Your entitlement to compensation for this type of injury will depend upon the circumstances of your fall. (Contact Us) to make an appointment so we can advice you on the best course of action for your specific situation.

7. What is a deductible with regards to a tort claim?

Answer: A deductible is the amount of money that and insurance company does not have to pay you from any award for general damages that a jury might award you or from an agreed assessment of your general damages (pain and suffering). For example, if a jury awarded you general damages in the amount of $75,000 the insurance company would only have to pay you $60,000 if your accident occurred between November 1, 1996 and September 30, 2003. The deductible is $15,000. However, if your accident occurred after or on October 1, 2003 the deductible is $30,000 unless the jury awards you $100,000 or more in which case there is no deductible.

8. What does it mean to “meet threshold”?

Answer: The term “threshold” is a verbal description of those injuries that are sufficiently severe to be entitled to an award for pain and suffering. The definition changes under the various versions of The Insurance Act, and the date of your accident determines which Insurance Regime applies. In a very broad sense, you must satisfy the Trial Judge that you suffer from a serious and permanent impairment of an important physical, mental or emotional bodily function that is ongoing in nature. It is important to understand that it is a complex set of facts particular to each case that leads to the conclusion that your injuries pass the threshold. There are many factors that have to be considered, including but not limited to the injury itself, any impact on employment and education, as well as the degree to which the impairment(s) affect social and recreational activities.

9. Is my family eligible for compensation even though I was injured?

Answer: Yes. The Family Law Act provides for recovery to some extent for the loss of guidance, care and companionship as well as certain out of pocket expenses. Additionally, the Accident Benefits insurer (most often your own insurance company) pays certain expenses to family members.

10. How long will it take to complete my lawsuit?

Answer: The time to resolve your lawsuit varies considerably. It varies greatly, depending on the number of people involved, the nature of the injuries and other pecuniary damages, insurance coverage issues and even the personalities involved i.e. the particular insurance company or companies, the adjuster, and eventually the lawyers themselves. Every effort is made to resolve your lawsuit in a timely manner, but please keep in mind that certain injuries, impairments and losses take time to mature or manifest themselves. The best resolution is not always the fastest. Each case is as unique as the person injured, and no hard and fast rule applies.

When we start our day, we don’t usually think about the idea that we may get into a car accident. When learning how to drive most of us are taught how to prevent and avoid car accidents. However, the one thing that many people don’t know is what to do when an car accident does occur.

Car accidents are happening at an increasing rate. This being said, any driver on the road is at risk of being involved in a car accident of any severity. No matter what your role, being involved in a car accident is a very trying ordeal. However, when you’re the victim of the accident you may be left injured, confused, and presented with costs and information that you don’t comprehend.

In the case that this risk becomes a reality, you can ensure that you can not only handle the situation properly but that you are prepared to do so as well by following these four steps:

Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy:

Before you get into your car the next time, read over your insurance policy. Knowing what your responsibilities, rights, and what you’re protected from will better prepare you in the case there is an accident and you need to report a claim. If something isn’t clear in your policy or you believe that you need further coverage, contact your insurance provider right away to have it adjusted as necessary.

Report the accident:

If you have been involved in an accident you should immediately report what has happened to the police and your insurance provider. If you do not report the accident to the police or your insurance provider within 7 days you may not be eligible to be compensated for the damages and/or injuries incurred. No matter how little or much damage there is to your vehicle, who is at fault, or the types of injuries sustained, it’s critical that you report the accident as soon as possible after it has occurred.

Document and gather information from the scene:

To make things easier going forward, try to collect as much information as you can in regards to the accident. The more information the better! Evidence and information such as the names of those involved, contact information, insurance information, the model and make of the car, license and registration, location, date, time, if there were any injuries present at the time of the accident, and pictures. Having all of this information documented will make things easier for you, your insurance provider, and lawyer if you decide to file a case.

Meet with your insurance company and personal injury lawyer:

Once the accident has been reported, your insurance company will review the situation. Once they have done that they will contact you to inform you of who is at fault, the amount of money you can expect to receive from your claim, and the next steps. If you have sustained injuries or damages that you believe should be compensated further you should also set up an appointment with Clarke Law personal injury lawyers. Many victims aren’t aware of their rights, which makes meeting with a lawyer imperative. Driving laws in Ontario allow a victim to fight for both accident benefits and compensation for vehicle damages.

The team at Clarke Law has the experience and expertise to ensure you understand your legal rights and the specific legal process. If you have been involved in a car accident, Natalie Clarke can help. As a specialized personal injury lawyer with experience in car accident claims, Natalie will aggressively defend your case to get you the compensation that you are entitled to. Natalie Clarke will work side-by-side with you and give you the highest level of legal guidance to see you through to a successful settlement. She will help you with everything from filing your claim with the insurance company, to taking legal actions against the at-fault party.

Every claim is different. Without an experienced lawyer working on your behalf, you may find yourself making statements or leaving out details that can negatively affect your claim.

Canadians say that they are more than ready for their summer barbecues, sunbathing, and for quick dips in the pool. Remember, however, that owning a swimming pool, or a water feature like a pond or hot tub, comes with important responsibilities.

During the hot months, pools can be the perfect way to cool down and enjoy the beautiful summer days. Yes, pools can be a place for fun and lots of splashing but it’s important that we remember and enforce rules to avoid personal injury accident. Not only can a pool be a place for fun, but it can also be a place where brain and spinal injuries, wrongful death, or slip and fall accidents may occur if the proper safety precautions aren’t enforced.

We hear it in the news almost every summer: pool personal injury accidents. According to the Lifesaving Society’s 2011 Drowning Report, nearly 500 Canadians die in water-related accidents annually. These statistics don’t even include those seriously injured from a water related accident. In addition, statistics show that teenagers and young adults at highest risk.

If you own a pool you’re fully responsible for the care and safety of those using it. No matter who is using your pool accidents can happen and if someone is injured or in the worst case dies in your backyard you may be liable. This is why it’s crucial to ensure that you do everything in your power to keep your water zones danger-free.

The best thing you can do to first off is doing everything in your power to make your pool zone a safe place. Using precautionary methods in your backyard to avoid accidents is simple. Here are our suggestions:

1. Install a fence:

Children are naturally curious and will be drawn to a pool or pond, so installing a fence can help you breathe an extra sigh of relief. Additionally, using a gate lock or a hot tub safety cover as a precautionary barrier is an effective way to avoid accidents.

2. Check your insurance policy:

Contact your insurance broker prior to installing a water zone. You need to advise your insurer of any increased risk to ensure that you have protection against liability.

3. Contact your municipality:

Municipalities have different safety regulations; so stay updated on the newest codes and standards.

4. Lay out ground rules:

As the pool owner, it’s important that you ensure that anyone using your pool understands the pool itself and any safety rules. For example, show them where the deeper parts of the pool are, the easiest way to the edges. Also make them aware of any “pool rules”. For example, no running, no diving, no yelling unless it’s an emergency.

5. Always supervise:

No one should ever swim alone in your pool. Regardless of the level of swimming or age, pool accident oftentimes happen very quickly and having someone there supervising can be the difference between life and death. It may seem like the most obvious pool safety tip however: it is the most important.

As a pool owner it’s your responsibility to not only make your pool zone as safe as possible for those using it, but also to be informed about swimming pool laws that regulate the use and ownership. In doing this, you may be able to avoid or limit your liability in the case legal action is pursued, as it shows that you took all the precautionary measures you could to make your pool zone as safe as possible.

Ontario has specific laws in this area in place where the legislation states that a person in control of a property (i.e., a pool) has a duty to ensure that there is reasonable care in place to see that tenants and visitors are reasonably safe. A lawsuit for a pool related accident transpires it may be settled by homeowner’s insurance, which can have coverage to protect homeowners from third party injuries on their property.

Pool users should also be aware of their rights in a water related accident. In the case of wrongful death, brain or spinal injury, or a slip and fall accident you have the right to be compensated for the injuries incurred. If you are seriously injured on someone else’s property where safety precautions were not enforced you have the right to pursue legal action.

Residential, commercial, and public property owners have a responsibility to maintain their property and ensure it is safe. When the property owner does not take reasonable care, the law requires compensation to the victims resulting from negligence. No matter what the negligence is, victims are entitled to compensation under Ontario law.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving someone’s unsafe property in Ontario, Clarke Law can help. As an experienced personal injury lawyer in Toronto, Natalie Clarke has experience dealing with premises liability and occupier’s liability claims involving negligence.

Contact the Clarke Law team today!

Long before the backyard rinks thaw and the snow banks melt, eager Canadian drivers begin planning their spring road trips. Garage doors will soon open, ready to tackle the warm weather and the open road.

Here in southern Ontario we are still very much in the Polar Vortex that our Canadian winter season has brought us this year. Although it is not time to put the summer tires back on our vehicles, the Clarke Law team wants to remind drivers that your tires can never be assessed too often. This being said, before you leap for joy when it is time to say goodbye to winter, ensure that your summer tires are assessed before putting them on the road.

Having your tires assessed on a regular basis can prevent unnecessary and catastrophic accidents due to unexpected tire issues on the road.  An unexpected tire blow out can not only put yourself and others in danger physically, but can also put you at risk of a lawsuit after the accident.

To ensure that your vehicle is road safe, it is important to outfit your vehicle with the proper tires and have them assessed regularly.

In order to ensure that your tires are appropriate for your vehicle, it is important to choose tires that suit your vehicle style and your driving needs. If you don’t know what tire is appropriate for you and your vehicle, here is a guideline to what may work for you. *Remember it is always best to speak with a tire expert when purchasing your tires to ensure your making the right decision.

Commuters:

If you drive everyday to and from work, a high performance, all-season tire with center rib block and multi-sipe design could be the right choice for you this spring. These types of tires provide excellent traction on a rain-soaked or dry road, which will keep your commute safe.

Family Drivers:

Drivers who are driving larger vehicles with multiple people should look for high-quality and dependable tires to keep everyone on the road and in their vehicle safe. High-quality and dependable tires guarantee longer tread wear, optimal traction and the low noise levels needed for a family vehicle.

Road Warriors:

Tires for a “road warrior” (someone who is driving a sport vehicle) need to be ultra-high performance. Ultra-high performance tires allow for drivers to have superior handling on the roads.

In addition to ensuring that you have the right tire for your vehicle needs, it is important to have your tires assessed regularly to ensure that you’re keeping the roads safe and avoiding potential lawsuits. Just as our feet get sore after walking long distances, the tires on our vehicles get worn down a bit each time we drive. It is inevitable that our tires will wear out overtime.

Having your tires assessed by a mechanic is the best way to ensure that they are not worn out however, if you want to assess your tires more regularly there are certain things you can look for.

1. Tread. The tread on your tires should never fall lower that 1/16 of an inch (1.6 millimeters) in depth. If your tires are below this depth it means that your tires will not be safe on the roads and you should replace them.
2. Cracks in the sidewall. Cracks in the sidewall are another indication that your tires are no longer safe, have a leak in them, or are close to blowing out. To check for cracks in your sidewall you want to check to see if there are any grooves that are distinct enough to be noticeable to the naked eye. If you notice these grooves or cracks, it is time to replace your tires.
3. Bulges. Bulges are another sign that your tires are worn out. A bulging tire means that the exterior surface is weakening. This bulging means that you could experience an unexpected tire pop while on the road and cause a serious accident at anytime.