Topic
Legal
U.S. securities litigation filings surges in 2010 Q2: Advisen
July 20, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterThe U.S. government investigation of Goldman Sachs and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill may have sparked a surge in securities litigation in 2010 Q2, Advisen reports.In its quarterly report, Advisen noted the number of securities lawsuits filed in 2010 Q2…
Ontario Bar Association elects insurance law specialists to board of directors
July 19, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario Bar Association (OBA) has elected insurance law specialists as its new president and second vice-president, effective August 15.Lee Akazaki, the OBA’s incoming president, is a lawyer at Gilbertson, Davis, Emerson in Toronto. He specializes in personal injury, property…
Number of Ontario auto claims settlements without a mediator triples: FSCO arbitrator
July 9, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterAn arbitrator at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) says resolving auto accident benefits claims disputes “on a timely basis” has become “an increasingly critical issue” in the province’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system.In his decision in Dominion of…
Supreme Court of Canada confirms jury trials can’t be split without consent of the parties
July 8, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an appeal in Linn v. Kovach, upholding the principle that a court cannot split a jury trial without the consent of both parties.The Ontario Court of Appeal found in February 2010 that jury…
DAS Canada obtains Ontario license to offer legal expense insurance in the province
July 8, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterDAS Legal Protection Insurance Company Limited (DAS Canada) has received its insurance licence from The Financial Services Commission of Ontario, making DAS Canada the first specialty legal expense insurer in the country able to offer policies in Ontario. Legal expense…
Expect judges to use ‘life joys’ to determine serious injuries: Hughes Amys LLP
July 6, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterInsurance defence lawyers believe Ontario’s judiciary will increasingly use the concept of “life joys” to determine whether or not auto injuries meet the threshold of “serious” injuries, according to an article in Hughes Amys LLP newsletter Noteworthy.“The concept of ‘life…
Manitoba drivers caught with cell phones face $200 fine as of July 15, 2010
July 5, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterManitoba drivers caught texting or using hand-held cell phones could face a fine of almost $200 under a new law that takes effect July 15, 2010, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton has announced.The new law comes under amendments to…
Saskatchewan’s RID program encourages reporting of impaired drivers
June 28, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterSaskatchewan’s new Report Impaired Drivers (RID) program has resulted in Saskatoon Police Services laying 45 impaired driving charges, according to Saskatchewan’s government insurer. The program was launched in March 2010. Since then, police have responded to close to 750 calls…
Ontario Court of Appeal reinstates statute-barred auto injury claim
June 24, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario Court of Appeal has breathed new life into an auto injury claim that was defeated in a summary judgment because it was filed 14 months after the limitations period had expired.The Appeal Court reinstated the action on the…
Manitoba man pays steep price for attempted $240 insurance fraud
June 23, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterA Winnipeg man was sentenced to 15 months’ probation, perform 120 community service hours within one year, pay full restitution and write a letter of apology to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)’s CEO for attempting to commit a $240 insurance fraud.Brent…
Pharmaceutical companies facing liability for products found in water supplies: Marsh
June 22, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterPharmaceutical companies are facing an evolving risk of liability for pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) found in ground and drinking water supplies, according to Marsh. PPCPs include antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, stimulants and antihistamines.“Liability will likely rest primarily with…
Blouin Dunn LLP hires Derek Ballard
June 22, 2010 by Canadian UnderwriterDerek Ballard has joined Blouin Dunn LLP as of June 15. Ballard obtained his law degree at the University of Manitoba in 2002 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2003. Since his call, Ballard has practiced in many…