Maia Bent was elected President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) on May 22, 2015, at the association’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto. Ms. Bent has served on the association’s Board of Directors since 2008, and has been a member of its Executive Committee for the past three years. Ms. Bent will lead the organization during the 2015-16 year. Here is her inaugural blog post as the new OTLA President.
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Insurance regulators agree to heightened watchdog capabilities
Four members of the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that allows for authorities to pursue “simpler and more effective” means of cooperation and information sharing across jurisdictions.
Letter: More details needed on insurance industry numbers
First, the insurance bureau says $500 million was collected from injury claimants from their insurance settlements in 2013. What isn’t clear is whether that amount includes the fees paid to the insurance company’s lawyer for defending the claims, special award costs, bad-faith claims or just plaintiff lawyers’ fees. Do these numbers include disbursements insurers pay for because of their requests for records to support the claim?
Simplify ODSP process
In her interview with Laurie Monsebraaten, Mary Marrone of the Income Security Advocacy Centre gives us pause when she describes the process of Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) medical reviews as flawed, wasteful, and “careless with people’s lives.”
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editors/2015/05/29/simplify-odsp-process.html
Proposed Auto Insurance Changes a “Wynne for Industry” but a Loss for the Injured
TORONTO, May 28, 2015 /CNW/ – The Ontario Government is proposing regulatory changes that will dramatically reduce car insurance benefits, leaving many accident victims without the services needed to recover or the support that will be required.
“This is the province saying if you’re badly hurt in a car accident, you may find yourself on your own,” notes Sarah Palmer of the Accident Benefit Coalition (ABC).
Injured worker on hunger strike for compensation hearing
After more than 20 years, Jimmy Velgakis is still angry.
With a sign around his neck, he’s been standing in front of Queen’s Park for the past 18 days on a hunger strike. The former city ice rink worker injured his back lifting a piece of plywood on the job in 1991 and has never received the workers’ compensation benefits he says he’s due.
Ontario’s 25-Year No-Fault Journey
Ontario’s auto insurance system is unrecognizable, and it is time to stop tinkering. The concept of using an insurance system to provide a social safety net is flawed, perhaps requiring in its place a system where private insurance companies provide both third-party liability and physical damage coverage while a Crown corporation delivers accident benefits.
Hospitals still use flawed secrecy law to review medical errors
As the government drags its heels over amending the health secrecy act, hundreds of critical care incidents are still being investigated under the flawed legislation, the Star has learned.
Car Insurance Fraud Ontario Canada
Auto insurance companies have been plagued with insurance fraud in recent years. Insurance fraud happens when someone deliberately deceives an insurance provider basically for financial gain. Insurance fraud could occur in a variety of ways including: Auto repairs, health care clinics, policyholders that fabricate or exaggerate claims. Insurance fraud is a serious problem that has continued to affect auto insurance rates for all Canadians.
One bad apple can spoil the whole lot of injury lawyers (Ontario)
First and foremost, I want to send special recognition my friend David Siegel, who told me last night that he stopped following his mother, sister, father, the best man at his wedding, and his Grade 8 Karate teacher on Twitter. BUT, he continues to follow @GoldfingerLaw on Twitter. David told me that he can’t get enough of the Toronto Injury Lawyer Blog, along with the daily insight and tidbits from our law firm’s Twitter Feed. You can’t follow David on Twitter, but you can follow his dog, @RockySeigel for the latest in the life of his pooch.