Topic
Legal
Walmart fined $20K for selling contaminated food after Fort McMurray wildfire
October 1, 2018 The Canadian PressFORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – Walmart Canada has been ordered to pay a $20,000 fine for selling contaminated food after a devastating wildfire in northern Alberta two years ago. Some of the charges against Walmart included failing to dispose of food…
Car surfing covered by auto insurance, court finds
September 27, 2018 by David GambrillAuto insurance covers “car surfing,” in which a person rides on the top or rear of a moving vehicle, an Ontario court has found. “Car surfing or attaching oneself to a vehicle, while reckless and dangerous, is not a more…
How cell phone records proved this insurer’s auto fraud case
September 26, 2018 by David GambrillCell phone records proved to be the deciding factor in an insurance fraud case in which a B.C. driver falsely claimed that his truck had been stolen. Parker Winterbottom, 22 at the time, reported to police in October 2011 that…
Some Canadian police forces question roadside marijuana testing devices
September 26, 2018 Laura Kane - THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – Some Canadian police forces are hesitant to use a federally approved roadside test for marijuana impairment, raising questions about the Liberal government’s decision to give the devices the green light. Vancouver’s police department is among those that won’t…
Insurance lawyer now a Saskatchewan appeal court judge
September 24, 2018 by Greg MeckbachA lawyer who used to represent Saskatchewan’s auto insurer is now a judge with the province’s appeal court, the federal government announced Friday. Robert Leurer represented Saskatchewan Government Insurance on several occasions during the 31 years he practised law for…
This vehicle accident ‘speaks for itself’
September 22, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe Supreme Court of Canada will not hear an appeal from a motorist found to be liable for a single-vehicle collision. Brad Gaebel was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Gordon Lipka, who lost control after moving to the…
Top 5 signs an insured may be committing address fraud
September 20, 2018 by Jason ContantThere are countless “red flags” that insurers should examine to help determine if a claimant is committing address fraud, an insurance defence lawyer said Tuesday at the Canadian Association of Special Investigation Units’ (CASIU) 2018 Fraud Conference in Toronto. Andrew…
What to do about clients who lie about their address
September 19, 2018 by Jason ContantIf an insurer has proof a claimant is committing address fraud, there are several weapons they have in their arsenal to fight it, an insurance lawyer said Tuesday. The first thing the insurer should do is ask the underwriting department…
The ‘Big Three’ indicators of address fraud
September 18, 2018 by Jason ContantInsurers looking to verify a claimant’s address should focus on bank, credit card and cellphone records, an insurance defence lawyer said Tuesday. Andrew Grayson, a lawyer specializing in insurance defence litigation with Regan Desjardins LLP, called those records the “Big…
How basement flooding devalued this property
September 17, 2018 by Greg MeckbachRecurring basement flooding means a homeowner’s property is worth about $35,000 less than it would otherwise be valued at for tax purposes, says an official from the board that hears Ontario property tax appeals. Sharon Latta owns a home near…
Risk appetite for marijuana ‘all over the map’
September 17, 2018 by Greg MeckbachSome insurance companies “want no part” of covering risks related to cannabis in Canada, an industry analyst warns. As of Oct. 17, it will be legal in Canada for adults to possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis for…
Three product ingredients that could cause large claims
September 13, 2018 by Greg MeckbachIf your client makes or supplies beauty care products, they could face bodily injury lawsuits if certain chemicals are present. The “toxic trio” – dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene and formaldehyde – are contained in some nail varnishes, body lotions, fragrances…