(PRLeap.com) November 12, 2016 – Ontario’s auto insurance reforms were introduced in the summer as a strategy to reduce premiums in the province, which is the most expansive insurance market in Canada. However, personal injury laywers are arguing that brokers could be subject to lawsuits because of the transfer of accident benefits dispute arbitration to the licence appeal tribunal (LAT). Shop Insurance Canada agrees, and adds it has previously warned that customers will lose out because of accident benefit reforms.
The Laywers
‘FAIR – supporting auto accident victims through advocacy and education’
The information provided below is not legal advice, and it may not apply in every situation. FAIR is not a legal service and we do not recommend particular lawyers or firms. We do not provide legal advice. This page is for information purposes only.
ALERT
We are hearing about more and more cases where the time limitations for filing have lapsed due to a failure by a plaintiff’s legal representative to meet deadlines. Claimants should stay informed of what is happening with their files and forms and ask the questions about filing dates and limitations. Please see some of the decisions and articles listed at the bottom of this page for details
More information on choosing a lawyer or if you have issues with your legal bill here.
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FAIR does not accept responsibility for comments, opinions, statistical information etc. associated with the links listed below. Any opinions, points of view, etc. are not necessarily shared by FAIR.
A Punitive Costs Award Against a SRL – and the Lawyers Who Gloat
$15,000 awarded against a SRL for “intentionally” driving up costs
This ruling on costs by Madam Justice McGee awards $15,000 of costs against the applicant mother (self-representing) in a child support variation case. The respondent father was represented by counsel, and the judge accepted the argument that the mother had intentionally escalated the dispute, thereby running up his legal costs.
Contingency fees far from a money grab by personal injury lawyers
An Ontario private members’ bill that suggests capping contingency fees for personal injury lawyers would only further hurt injured plaintiffs, says Toronto lawyer Kevin Marshall.
The bill, from former Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak, proposes a 33 per cent cap on damages paid to lawyers or paralegals in a successful claim.
Dropping the Ball on a File Transfer: Rule 48 Dangers for Ontario Lawyers
When a file is transferred from one lawyer to another, one danger is when nothing happens on the file due to a clumsy transfer or missing critical information. A new file that has not been looked at can be a ticking time bomb. Deadlines like limitation periods can pass by unnoticed, and Rule 48 administrative dismissal dates can be discovered too late. The resulting malpractice claim can have lawyers pointing fingers at each other. Consider the following tips whether you’re transferring a file or on the receiving end: the biggest tip is lawyers involved in a transfer should ensure big events like deadlines and dismissal dates are communicated up front.
Why we should reduce the number of civil trials decided by juries
Many lawyers extoll the jury as a sacrosanct tool that ensures common sense and community values are represented and applied in our legal system. The problem is that many people’s values and common sense are, knowingly or not, touched by racism, sexism, unfair beliefs and other irrational forces.
https://nowtoronto.com/news/wh