Loretta Merritt

Loretta is one of the few lawyers in Ontario who has substantial experience in dealing with abuse and harassment in civil lawsuits and employment cases. She understands and cares about abuse survivors, recognizing that coming forward, being heard and acknowledged as well as gaining a sense of justice and closure, in addition to the amount of a settlement, are what matter to her clients.

C.O. v. Williamson, 2020 ONSC 3874

In this case, Justice Salmers found a school board vicariously liable for historical sexual abuse of a student by her teacher and ordered both defendants to pay more than $500,000 in damages. This is an important decision as it imposes liability for the abuse on the school board in the absence of any evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the school board.

The End of Limitation Periods for Ontario Sexual Abuse Cases

Hammer breaking a clock with text: The End of Limitation Periods for Ontario Sexual Abuse Cases

New legislation has removed time limits for suing for sexual assault, domestic violence or child abuse. On March 9, 2016, Bill 132 Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act (Supporting Survivors and Challenging Sexual Violence and Harassment) 2015 received Royal Assent which is the last step in making it a law. Bill 132 is the legislative action plan arising from the Government’s report It’s Never Ok: …