Wrap up a registration to MADD Canada’s PIA Law Strides for Change for your loved-ones, friends and/or co-workers. It’s the perfect, unique gift they’ll love this holiday season!
PIA Law Strides for Change in support of MADD Canada will take place on Sunday, June 7th at the beautiful JC Saddington Park in Mississauga (Port Credit).
Especially for Teams…take part in the exciting team challenge. Your captain needs to register first. He/she will receive a special team password to be sent out with an invitation to others to join the team.
PIA Law and MADD Canada wish you and yours a very happy holiday season, and a safe and healthy New Year.
Interview With: David R. Tenszen Published In: The Metro Toronto Newspaper, December 10, 2014 issue
QAre snowmobile accidents a serious problem in Ontario? A OPP statistics reveal that in the last four Ontario winters, more than 70 people were killed in snowmobile accidents. Each year, hundreds more sustain serious and permanent injuries riding snowmobiles.
Q If someone is seriously injured or killed in a snowmobile accident, what rights do they and their family have? A A snowmobile is required to be insured under the same type of insurance policy as a car or truck in Ontario. Therefore, when someone is seriously injured or killed in a snowmobile accident, they and their family can claim no-fault accident benefits from their own snowmobile insurer regardless of who is at fault. These benefits provide for income replacement, medical treatment, rehabilitation services, attendant care and other benefits. In addition, injured people and their families can sue those who cause or contribute to their accident.
QIf someone is seriously injured in a snowmobile accident, should they consult with a lawyer? A The legal process for resolving snowmobile accident cases is very complex. There are short time limits, complicated forms, and medical reports and records that must be prepared and submitted. It is vitally important to hire a lawyer with the right experience and qualifications. Make sure you check the lawyer’s credentials before deciding which lawyer to hire. The lawyers of PIA Law have the right credentials and a track record of successfully resolving complex personal injury cases, including snowmobile accident cases. For more, visit pialaw.ca/snowmobile-accidents.
Interview With: Dale Orlando, Personal Injury Alliance Lawyer Published in: The Metro Toronto Newspaper, November 12,2014 issue
Q How responsible should party hosts be for guests who consume alcohol? A While it’s not clearly defined by law, hosts should always keep their guests’ safety in mind. They should also take basic precautions to protect themselves just in case a guest fails to use their common sense and drives while intoxicated.
Q Does a party host face any liability if a guest leaves a party and chooses to drive impaired? A There has never been a case where a party host has been found responsible for injuries caused to one of their guests or to a third party. But a case that went before the Supreme Court of Canada left the door wide open. Childs vs. Desormeaux involved someone who caused an accident after being at a BYOB party. While the party hosts were found not liable (they had no reason to believe the guest was impaired when he left), the court noted the situation may be different if a host provides alcohol with knowledge that the guest would be driving home.
Q What precautions should a party host take? A If you are hosting a party and serving alcohol, keep the following in mind: • If there is no designated driver, have everyone agree that anyone who is drinking will take a cab home; • Offer to have intoxicated guests spend the night; • Serve non-alcoholic beverages, too.
While personal injury lawyers at PIA Law are concerned with legal liability, there is a moral obligation to protect everyone, too. For more information, please visit pialaw.ca/social_host.
Date: October 23rd, 2014 Time: 7:30am-4:15pm Location: The Carlu, Toronto
This is a one day PIA hosted conference.
Conference Goals • Develop and enhance techniques for providing expert testimony • Improve your confidence in court • Educate delegates about the technical requirements of the law • Provide insight on how to handle difficult counsel • Provide strategies for court preparation • Help delegates become more effective witnesses
Who Should Attend This conference will be of interest to all experts, health care professionals and those who may be called to testify, regardless of the level of experience.
Continuing Education Credits Conference attendance certificates will be provided. Registrants are encouraged to review self-assessment guidelines issued by their professional college or association for continuing education credits, or contact their professional college or association for further information.
Registration Registration fees are donated entirely to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Sick Kids Hospital.
Payment is acceptable by cheque only. Please make your cheque payable to: McLeish Orlando LLP in Trust, 1 Queen St. E., Suite 1620, Box 76, Toronto, ON M5C 2W5
Click here for agenda and to Register for Practical Strategies for Experts.
Conference Papers and Presentations are now available to download:
Writing an Effective Report by Adam Little – Paper Effective Expert Evidence: A View from the Bench by The Honourable Justice Darla Wilson – Paper 5 Tips to Being a Great Expert Witness by Sloan Mandel – Paper | PowerPoint Evidence of Treating Professionals: The Implications of Westerhoff and Moore by Rikin Morzaria – Paper | PowerPoint The Importance of Comprehensive Notes and Records by Ryan Murray – Paper | PowerPoint Trial Dynamics: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly by Roger Oatley – Paper | PowerPoint Numbers Don’t Lie… Do They by Alison Burrison – Paper | PowerPoint Demonstrative Evidence and the Use of Technology in the Courtroom – PowerPoint
WHY DISTRACTED DRIVING CASES REQUIRE A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
Interview with: Brian Cameron, Personal Injury Alliance Lawyer Published in: The Toronto Metro Newspaper October 15, 2014 issue
Q How serious are the risks of distracted driving? A Very serious. A momentary distraction — texting, calling someone on your cell — can cause a death or serious injury to someone else. Ministry of Transportation stats show that a driver using a cellphone is four times more likely to be in a crash than a driver focused on the road.
Q What are the legal implications of distracted driving? A All distracted drivers are at fault if they cause an accident and injure or kill someone. The driver will be sued, receive a fine for dangerous driving, and may end up in jail. Their car insurance rates will go up as well.
Q If you have been injured by a distracted driver, what can you do? A A person who is injured can sue the driver — the compensation will depend on the extent of the injuries and the expertise of the lawyer. The legal process for these cases is very complex and a qualified personal injury lawyer is key. To find a qualified lawyer, look beyond the billboard ads. Get references, find out about years of experience, and ask the lawyer about the last case they actually tried and how it was resolved. The lawyer should be certified by the law society, be recognized in legitimate peer reviews, and have a track record in personal injury law. The law firm, like all of the firms of the Personal Injury Alliance, should have a proven history of handling complex personal injury cases.
Air Date: October 10, 2014 Station: Moose FM 97.7 Bancroft
Richard Halpern, Personal Injury Alliance lawyer, discusses the devastating impact that impaired driving accidents can have on victims and their loved ones, impaired driving laws, and the work that the PIA is doing with MADD Canada.
Air Date: October 10, 2014 Station: Moose FM 99.5 Bracebridge
Richard Halpern, Personal Injury Alliance lawyer, discusses the laws regarding impaired driving and the work that the PIA is doing with MADD Canada to help eliminate impaired driving in Canada.
The Personal Injury Alliance is pleased to announce their sponsorship of MADD Canada. As part of this sponsorship, the PIA becomes the Title Sponsor of MADD Canada’s National Strides for Change run/walk and will also work closely with them to support their Victim Services program.
United by a shared belief that there is no excuse for driving impaired, MADD Canada and the PIA are committed to ensuring that victims of impaired driving crashes and their families receive the best possible support during their time of grieving and recovery.
To learn more about MADD Canada, visit www.madd.ca.
Lawyers from the Personal Injury Alliance present representatives from MADD Canada with a sponsorship cheque at MADD Canada’s Sponsor Recognition Dinner. From left to right: Marg Stanowski, Vice-Chair, National Board of Directors MADD Canada; Ian Perry, McLeish Orlando; Troy Lehman, Oatley Vigmond; Angeliki Souranis, MADD Canada National President.
