Author Archives: Admin4

Hurt in a car? Thanks to the Ontario government, expect to lose tens of thousands from your lawsuit.

There are limits (called thresholds) when the statutory deductible does not apply. Until August 1, 2015, General Damages  exceeding $100,000.00 were exempt from the deductible. For Family Law Act claims, amounts exceeding $50,000.00 were exempt from the deductible.*

http://otlablog.com/hurt-in-a-car-thanks-to-the-ontario-government-expect-to-lose-tens-of-thousands-from-your-lawsuit/

The Rights and Responsibilities of Self-Represented Litigants

Self represented parties result in more adjournments and court appearances, which increases the length of court lists and clogs of the court system.”

“The more that is done to accommodate [self-represented litigants], the more it will be considered acceptable and the more we will have.”

http://www.slaw.ca/2015/08/28/the-rights-and-responsibilities-of-self-represented-litigants-2/

People with back injuries treated with opioids off work longer: study

Disability claimants who are off work because of low back pain stay off longer if they’re being treated with opioids, according to a new study out of McMaster University.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/people-with-back-injuries-treated-with-opioids-off-work-longer-study-1.3206219

Better understanding Fibromyalgia & getting the support you need (Ontario)

In any event, fibromyalgia is one of the most difficult disabling conditions for a lawyer to prove. Next to a minor brain injury which doesn’t show up on any type of x-ray, scan or MRI, it’s right up there.  It’s also one of the most difficult disabilities for somebody to explain to another person. You look fine. You don’t have any visible breaks, abrasions or wounds. So, what could possibly be wrong?

http://www.torontoinjurylawyerblog.com/2015/08/better-understanding-fibromyalgia-getting-the-support-you-need-ontario.html#more-783

Ontario launches push to eliminate red and white health cards

When her car was rear-ended this month in an accident she was rushed to a Brampton hospital. She was told her old card was invalid and she’d have to pay.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-launches-push-to-eliminate-red-and-white-health-cards-1.3205933

New changes to traffic laws in Ontario start on Sept. 1

New rules and fines for Ontario drivers will take effect next week.

Bill 31, also known as the Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act, is designed to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities. One of the biggest focuses of the act is new penalties for distracted driving.

http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/new-changes-to-traffic-laws-in-ontario-start-on-sept-1-1.2534284

Gap model’s insurance scam exposes rising fraud

Amy Laban may be an accomplished Gap model, Miss England finalist and Birmingham City FC soccer player, but that didn’t stop her from committing a popular form of auto insurance fraud, according to the Birmingham Mail.

http://www.insurancebusiness.ca/news/gap-models-insurance-scam-exposes-rising-fraud-195265.asp

$70,000 Non-Pecuniary Assessment for Chronic Back and Knee Injury

In today’s case (Ali v. Fineblit) the Plaintiff was involved in a collision that the Defendant was found fully liable for.  The injuries included a low back and knee injury which remained symptomatic at trial and had a poor prognosis.

http://bc-injury-law.com/blog/70000-nonpecuniary-assessment-chronic-knee-injury?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IcbcLaw+%28ICBC+Law%29

Somebody’s watching: Telematics for cars pits insurers against privacy advocates

TORONTO  — A few years ago, Desjardins General Insurance Group Inc. was developing a telematics program that would track drivers’ habits in exchange for a possible discount on their auto insurance premiums. It seemed like a win-win — customers could save money while Desjardins hoped to gain market share. But first, it had to address the elephant in the room: privacy.

http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/somebodys-watching-telematics-for-cars-pits-insurers-against-privacy-advocates

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company v High Park Medical & Rehabilitation Centre Ltd, 2015 ONSC 5169 (CanLII)

[2]          These motions all arise from orders made by Dunphy J. based on findings by His Honour that the plaintiff had proven a strong prima facie case against the defendants for fraud among other causes of action.  In effect, the defendants fraudulently pretended to operate businesses providing therapy to insured accident victims.  Under the defendants’ scheme, insured “patients” were induced by the defendants to submit claims to Manulife for reimbursement for services that were never provided to them and for which they had never paid.  The defendants provided the necessary documentary back-up claiming to evidence the services provided and purportedly paid for by the patients.  The patients split the proceeds with the defendants.

https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2015/2015onsc5169/2015onsc5169.html