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The cost of poverty in Ontario is an estimated $32-to-38-billion per year. As physicians, we know that biology accounts for only a small portion of what makes people sick and that income is perhaps the most important social factor contributing to health.

One of the reasons poverty is expensive is because people living in poverty have higher rates of chronic disease, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Children in low-income families are at higher risk of diagnosed mental health problems, nutritional deficiencies, asthma and injury.

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/11/14/there-is-a-prescription-for-povertys-punishing-impact-on-health-in-ontario.html

It is time for Ontario, a province known for preaching inclusivity to stand-up and finally do away with unfair regulations – one’s that are severely limiting those with disabilities who are in relationships and relying on income support from the Ontario Disability Supports Program. Sadly, as of today the province of Ontario is not truly an inclusive place to live – especially for those with disabilities who are punished financially simply for starting a relationship or being married. That why it is time for a much-needed change to ODSP and their unfair and some what discriminatory treatment of spousal earnings. After all those living with disabilities truly deserve better.

https://www.change.org/p/change-odsp-it-s-unfair-treatment-of-spousal-earnings

There is a real problem in our justice system and it is getting worse. Victims of road violence and other forms of negligence tell horror stories of being victimized twice by the delays within the system. Their complaint is legitimate.

https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/personalinjury/articles/5151/justice-delayed-is-justice-denied-for-accident-victims-patrick-brown

Many of us take riding public transit for granted and assume that we are safe on board. This is an interesting assumption since transit busses and streetcars travel fast, we don’t wear seatbelts, many of us stand on them, and their access stairs and walkways are often wet and slippery. Occasionally we hear of tragedies in which people are either hit by a transit vehicle or they are dragged along under one.

https://www.deutschmannlaw.com/blog/post/have-you-been-hurt-on-public-transit

In Levac v. James 2017 ONCA 842, the court heard that the Rothbart Centre for Pain Care experienced a bacterial infection outbreak and nine patients became seriously ill. Toronto Public Health audited the clinic’s infection prevention and control practices and found that the patients had fallen ill after receiving injections from Dr. Stephen James, an anesthesiologist at the clinic.

https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/5135

If you have sustained an injury that is the result of the negligence of another person – you could have an action for damages. Your entitlement to damages begins at the moment you suffer your loss. However, as anyone who has brought a lawsuit before knows – you will not get paid for a long time.

http://otlablog.com/what-is-a-notice-letter/

A national group of health-care providers is calling for a new approach to pain management in Canada that cuts down on the prescribing of opioids in favour of non-pharmacological alternatives.

The Coalition for Safe and Effective Pain Management outlined its ideas Monday in a report at the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions’ Issues of Substance 2017 conference in Calgary.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/opioid-use-prescription-non-pharmacological-alternatives-crisis-doctors-coalition-pain-1.4400346

Canada is in the midst of an opioid crisis, with escalating overdose deaths in multiple provinces and the second highest rate of opioid prescribing/use per capita in the world. Like all health-care regulators around the globe, we are deeply concerned about the devastating impact on patients and communities.

http://www.cpso.on.ca/Policies-Publications/Positions-Initiatives/Appropriate-Opioid-Prescribing

http://canlii.ca/t/hms20

Introduction

[1]               On the morning that this trial was to have commenced, the Abitong et al defendants brought this motion, among other motions, to compel production of an adverse costs insurance policy (“ACP”) that provides potential benefits to the plaintiffs. In accordance with the reasons that follow, the motion is dismissed.

Background

[2]               This action was brought as a result of injuries alleged to have been suffered by the plaintiff, Tina Jamieson, following a rear-end motor vehicle collision that took place on December 16, 2011.

[3]               Liability and damages are in dispute.

[4]               The plaintiffs have advised the defendants as to the existence of such insurance coverage for the plaintiffs as well as the amount of such coverage. The plaintiffs have refused to provide a copy of the insurance policy itself for inspection for the reasons that follow.

A Toronto lawyer says insurers should factor in the risk of additional expenses when denying coverage after a judge awarded two plaintiffs full indemnity costs following their success in court.

In Hoang v. The Personal Insurance Co., Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Morgan ordered the insurer to pay the plaintiffs’ entire legal bill of $72,000 after concluding the company was liable for amounts awarded against its insured in favour of the accident victims at a separate trial.

https://www.lawbreakingnews.com/2017/11/insurer-ordered-to-pay-plaintiffs-entire-legal-bill/