PERSONAL INJURY LAW AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIALIZATION
Interview with: Wendy Moore Mandel, Personal Injury Alliance Lawyer Published in: The Toronto Metro Newspaper September 17, 2014 issue
Q When someone is seriously injured, why is it important to hire a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law? A Catastrophic injury cases are complex and, therefore, require a lawyer who is equipped to deal with all the different components — the medical issues concerning the specific injury, the prediction of future needs and calculation of economic losses, and the interactions between insurance systems, no-fault, civil tort, and private disability, to name a few. The lawyer must also know how to put these pieces together to achieve the best outcome in terms of rehabilitation, care and compensation.
Q What are the risks of hiring a lawyer without a personal injury specialty? A If the lawyer doesn’t have the experience to fully understand and assess the injury and doesn’t know how to access the necessary resources, both medical and financial, an injured person could miss out on much needed rehabilitation and could receive less than fair compensation.
Q How do you ensure you are hiring the right lawyer? A Experience matters. Look behind the advertising and check the credentials of both the lawyer and his or her firm. A lawyer should be certified by the Law Society, recognized by their peers in legitimate reviews — Lexpert and Best Lawyers in Canada — and have years of experience practising personal injury law. The law firm, like all of the firms in the Personal Injury Alliance, should have a solid track record of handling complex cases. For more information, go to pialaw.ca/credentials.
Date: August 29, 2014 Station: MooseFM 97.7 Bancroft
Personal Injury Alliance lawyer, Dale Orlando discusses the significant injuries that result from cycling accidents every year and how conflict can be avoided between cyclists and motorists.
Personal Injury Alliance lawyer, Dale Orlando discusses the significance of wearing a helmet when cycling and the importance of parents leading by example when biking with children.
Interview with: Rikin Morzaria, Personal Injury Alliance Lawyer Published in: The Toronto Metro Newspaper August 27, 2014 issue
Q If someone is injured in a car accident and believes they may be at fault, do they still have a case for damages? A In many cases, yes. If a person is negligent, they can still recover damages or financial compensation based on the degree of the other party’s fault. Even if the injured person is 100 per cent to blame for the accident, there are no-fault accident benefits called statutory accident benefits. If it’s a catastrophic injury, the benefits can be substantial, up to $1 million for rehab.
Q Why is retaining a qualified personal injury lawyer so important? A Personal injury cases of a serious nature, especially at-fault cases, are extremely complicated and lengthy. An experienced personal injury lawyer who has expertise in this area of law is needed to determine what the options are and for what benefits the client is entitled. The lawyer can also provide access to rehab professionals, or work with a client’s trusted medical specialist. Lawyers such as those of the Personal Injury Alliance have years of experience and a track record of success in these kinds of cases.
Q How do you find the right lawyer? A It’s important to meet with a few lawyers to find out about their experience in personal injury cases. Ask for client and health-care professional references. The lawyer should have trial experience and a track record of achieving successful results. A person should also feel comfortable dealing with the lawyer because they will work together closely. For more information, go to pialaw.ca/credentials.
Date: August 1, 2014 Station: MooseFM 97.7 Bancroft
Personal Injury Alliance Lawyer, Sloan Mandel discusses what victims of diving-related accidents should do to ensure they are getting the best possible care and what cottage owners can do to ensure their property is safe.
