Diffusion MRI technology demonstrates neurological abnormalities months after mild concussion symptoms have faded

Written by Laura Hillyer / Brain injuries, New technology / December 05, 2013

Image via Flickr user Reigh LeBlanc: http://www.flickr.com/photos/reighleblanc/3854685038/sizes/o/ Brain injuries are often referred to as “invisible injuries” due to the limitations of brain imaging technology. That may be changing with the advent of Diffusion MRI technology. In a study published in a recent issue of Neurology, researchers revealed that abnormalities from a mild concussion can be seen to linger up to four months after the actual …

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Get home safely this holiday season with Operation Red Nose

Written by Ontario Trial Lawyers Association / Safety / December 02, 2013

OTLA is proud to once again be the provincial sponsor for Operation Red Nose, a designated driving program running throughout the holiday season in 10 communities across Ontario. “We are very excited once again to be a part of Operation Red Nose,” said Laura Hillyer, chair of OTLA’s Public Relations committee. Ms. Hillyer was on hand at the November 18 launch of Operation Red Nose …

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Will the real consumer advocates please stand up?

Written by John Karapita / Insurance / November 21, 2013

“Insurers […] are the real consumer advocates.” Don Forgeron, President and CEO, Insurance Bureau of Canada   Where’d they dream that up? Beyond the headlines and stories focused on the exploits of Toronto’s mayor, the IBC was also making news. As Thompson’s World Insurance News (November 11, 2013) reported, CEO Don Forgeron, at the IBC’s Regulatory Affairs Symposium, was opining on the state of the …

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Medical errors now the third leading cause of death in the US

Written by Maria Damiano / Medical Malpractice / October 10, 2013

It’s no surprise that thousands of people die from medical errors every year. But a new study from the Journal of Patient Safety reveals that as many as 440,000 patients die each year in the US from preventable medical errors. That means that medical errors are now the third leading cause of death in the US, exceeded only by cancer and heart disease. The article …

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Put the phone down! Ontario’s Top Court sends strong message to distracted drivers

Written by Laura Hillyer / Case Law / September 30, 2013

The Ontario Court of Appeal delivered two decisions on Friday, September 26, 2013, which make it very clear that even holding a cellphone while driving constitutes an offence. The decisions will make enforcement of s.78.1(1)of the Highway Traffic Act much easier for police as the Court found that there is no requirement for the Crown to actually prove the device was being used or was …

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Too many children at risk of injury from playground equipment: mandatory standards needed

Written by Ontario Trial Lawyers Association / Safety / September 24, 2013

A lack of mandatory standards for children’s playground equipment, inadequate playground surfacing and poor maintenance all add up to a recipe for disaster. According to this article from CBC News, more than 28,000 children are injured every year on playgrounds across Canada. The health benefits of playing and physical activity are important, but the risks of serious injury need to be addressed. Organizations like injury …

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