You can already smell the summer. After the brutal weather we had in Toronto this past winter, we can’t get enough sniffs. But although it may surprise you, summer driving is as dangerous, if not more so, than winter driving. That is bad news. Here are some reasons why summer driving could be dangerous: No school means there are more teen drivers on the road during the summer months. Due to the lack of experience, teens tend to be involved in more motor vehicle accidents than any other age group; Also, there is usually much more construction in the summer [...]

If you were raised with siblings then you know the concept of shared fault. Whether you started the fight or you were just the innocent victim, you would probably hear the same thing I don’t care who started it. Seemingly, in the eyes of our parents our mere existence warranted at least some blame. At some point in our legal history, courts started to take cues from parents and adopted- albeit in a slightly different fashion- a shared fault system known as contributory negligence. In a nutshell, contributory negligence means that you, the injured party, may have contributed to your injuries because [...]

We hate to say this, but our “busy season” is winter. For some people, the first snowfall of the season means hiding in a cave and hibernating; for others it means a mad dash to grab the ski equipment. Regardless of your feelings towards the cold white stuff, however, the winter season brings with it many more motor vehicle accidents. At risk of making our busy season slightly boring, we provide you with the following tips in case of inclement weather: The general idea is to be chivalrous. While you are driving remember to be sensitive and gentle. In return, [...]

Mental Impairment under Ontario’s SABS Under Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) an injury can fall into one of three categories: 1. a minor injury; 2. Non-minor injury; or 3. Catastrophic injury or impairment. The type of category your injury is placed in will impact the extent of your benefits under the SABS. Minor injuries, which are defined by the SABS, include cuts, bruises, strains, sprains. Catastrophic injuries, also defined by the SABS, include amputated limbs, spinal cord injuries, or serious brain damage. The Non-minor injury is the in-between category. Insurance companies tend to place most people in the minor [...]

We are all familiar with slapstick comedy; that is Hollywood’s portrayal of a slip and fall. It’s probably a black and white show, and some guy in a really fancy suit carrying an unimaginably large cake slips on a banana. Laughter and applause ensues. This sort of comedy might work in making us cheerful on a long winter night, but it also ensures our jobs as lawyers. What is funny in Hollywood can actually be a serious legal matter known as premises or occupier’s liability. In any negligence claim, it is important to realize that one of the factors necessary [...]