The Real Facts in McDonald’s Coffee Case Percolating Through Social Media

Social media and online news sources are providing trial lawyers and victims’ rights activists with new opportunities to ensure that the public is informed and not misled by tort “reform” and big business propaganda. The McDonald’s hot coffee case was actively lauded by tort “reformers” as an example of all that was wrong with the American civil justice system. The actual facts of the case were …

Most pedestrian fatalities are preventable: Staying safe this spring

Pedestrians Crossing, Bloor and Yonge by Gary J. Wood, licensed under CC Attribution – Share Alike 2.0 Generic. As we break free from the long, dark days of winter, many people are anxious to get outdoors, enjoy the weather and get active. Over the past weeks, the OTLA blog has reminded us to be safety conscious as we hit the streets on our motorcycles or …

What to do after a car accident: The do’s and don’ts

For many people, spring and summer are synonymous with road trips. You may go to your cottage for a long weekend or drive somewhere delightful on a week-long road trip. But as more vacationers take to the road this spring and summer, the potential for an accident also increases. The sad truth, according to statistics, is that most drivers will be involved in a vehicle …

Stay safe on your motorcycle this spring

Spring has finally sprung. Crocuses are peeking above the ground, birds are singing…and motorcycles are roaring down the streets. Despite the fact that motorcycles are only on the road for a short portion of the year, they account for a significant number of injuries and fatalities. In 2010, of the 885 motor vehicle related fatalities in Ontario, 57 involved motorcycles and mopeds. With this in …

Setting a good example for safety

I think maybe–just maybe–this never-ending winter has finally come to an end. The snow is almost gone and temperatures are rising to the double digits. With the warmer weather comes more kids out on the streets riding bicycles. In Ontario, kids are required to wear helmets when cycling on public roads. This law has been in place since 1995. Unfortunately, there are still too many …

Bronfman case headed for appeal

Image Courtesy Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail Last November, Madam Justice Stewart ruled on a matter dealing with broker negligence. The matter, Bronfman v. BFL Canada Risk, 2013 ONSC 5372 (CanLII),  involves a break in at the Bronfman residence in November of 2008. The Bronfmans were robbed of jewellery and numerous valuables. The matter revolves around the question of just how far an insurance broker …