Association News Category Archives

Diagnosis Denied: “Systemic Disregard” for Medical Assessments of Injured Workers

Written by Michael Giordano / Association News, Personal Injury / April 07, 2016

In November 2015, the Ontario Federation of Labour (“OFL”) and the Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups released Prescription Over-Ruled, a report criticising how the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) evaluates medical evidence when it processes claims. The OFL is Canada’s largest provincial labour federation and represents roughly one million workers. Their report alleges that the WSIB ignores medical evidence and opinions when it …

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Queen’s University Takes Top Prize at 2016 OTLA Cup

Written by Sig Pantazis / Association News / April 03, 2016

Ten competitors and five witnesses from law schools throughout Ontario competed in the annual mooting competition in a hotly contested mock trial, held this year in Windsor, Ontario. The competition was tight as all the participants were extremely well prepared, but ultimately only one team could take home the Cup. Queen’s University returned the OTLA Cup to Kingston in 2016, the site of the first …

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Transition to the LAT

Written by Ontario Trial Lawyers Association / Accident Benefits, Association News, Insurance / March 07, 2016

The LAT is set to begin receiving applications for SABS disputes on April 1. OTLA is addressing significant concerns about the transition, specifically an insured’s ability to access the new dispute resolution process.

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False Fraud Allegations Spur Punitive Damages in BC

Written by Roelf Swart / Association News, Insurance / March 04, 2016
crosswalk photo with ICBC logo and insurance document overlaid

The National Post reported recently on a judicial decision from British Columbia ordering the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, ICBC, to pay an immigrant couple more than $350,000 in punitive damages after the corporation falsely accused them of insurance fraud. In the judgment, the prosecution brought against Danica Arsenovski was described by Justice Susan Griffith as “malicious,” and the actions of the ICBC “brought fear and …

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Government needs to turn its attention to plight of victims

Written by Ontario Trial Lawyers Association / Association News, Insurance / February 01, 2016
doctor reviews clipboard

Today, OTLA called on the Ontario Government to establish a commission to conduct a public inquiry to examine the current state of independent medical assessments of injured auto accident victims. After years of changes designed to placate the insurance industry, the government needs to turn its attention to the plight of victims. The appointment today of a new auto insurance advisor – David Marshall – presents the opportunity to …

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Public Safety: City of Toronto to Review Dog Ownership Laws

Written by Michael Giordano / Association News / November 18, 2015

Canine companionship can be very rewarding. Most people understand, and gladly accept, the commitment and responsibility that come along with owning a dog. This includes the legal obligations that have been previously discussed on the OTLA blog. To recap, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (the “Act”) imposes strict liability on owners for the actions of their dogs. This means that if the dog is found …

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