Can someone be civilly liable for intentional misconduct?

Find out about some of the “intentional” torts In a previous post, we explored the concept of negligence – civil wrongdoing, for which there is not necessarily an intention to do wrong on the part of the defendant, that causes damage. But tort law, the area of law about compensation for civil wrongdoing, also contains another major category of individually named or nominate torts (aka intentional torts) which do provide compensation based on proof of civil wrongdoing intended by the defendant. Many of the activities that are addressed by the intentional torts are also criminalized. For example, there is a…

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Attendant Care Benefits

Most common questions and their answers What are attendant care (“AC”) benefits? Attendant care benefits cover the expenses of hiring an aide or attendant to help an insured person with their day-to-day functions after they have been injured in a MVA An attendant care expense must be “reasonable” and “necessary” in order to be able to successfully claim a benefit for it (Statutory Accident Benefit Schedule or (SABS), s. 19(1)) Who pays for attendant care benefits? Your insurance company What are the types of injuries to which attendant care benefits pertain? An injury must meet two requirements to qualify for…

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Armstrong v. Royal Victoria Hospital, 2019 ONCA 963 (Can LII); and Armstrong v. Ward, 2021 SCC 1 (Can LII) – Case Comment

An example of medical malpractice and legal analysis In Feb 2010, CW performed on KA a colectomy (a medical procedure that involves removing all of part of the colon), more precisely a laparoscopic colectomy. The surgery appeared to go without incident. However, she developed pain and postoperative problems and it was later learnt that her left ureter had been blocked, causing damage to her kidney, which had to be removed in Oct 2010. KA sued CW for medical malpractice under the theory that the cauterizing device he had used – commercially called a LigaSure – had caused adhesions or scar…

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What are Med-Rehab Benefits?

Most common questions and their answers What are medical-rehabilitation (“med-rehab”) benefits? Med-rehab benefits cover the expenses, of treatment of an insured person who has been injured in a MVA, which are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or a group insurance plan A med-rehab treatment must be “reasonable” and “necessary” in order to be able to successfully claim a benefit for it (Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule or “SABS”, ss. 15 and 16) Who pays for med-rehab benefits? A claim for med-rehab benefits can be made against an insurer of a person involved in the MVA. However, one…

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How to Cope with Stress during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Here you can learn six ways to deal with stress For many people, the existence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the various restrictions that the government has put in place to deal with it have caused a lot of stress. Some of us have had our business suffer; others had their socialization decreased because we were ordered to stay home. Stress can diminish one’s happiness or enjoyment and can cause one to become less focused. Below are some common suggestions to help you cope with stress. Get outside – The outdoors can give you a change of scenery or at…

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What are the first steps of applying for accident benefits?

Here you can learn about the starting point of accident benefits applications Within seven days of the accident, the injured person must notify their insurer (such as through their insurance agent or broker) that he/she intends to apply for accident benefits. Who is the appropriate insurer/defendant?        If the injured person is …        The AB insurer is … The driver of the vehicle involved in the MVA If the driver has auto insurance, his/her own insurer If the driver does not have auto insurance but is covered by someone else’s auto insurance, that insurer If…

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What is civil negligence?

Learn about the elements of this cause of action Civil negligence – as opposed to criminal negligence, a crime – is a category of tort. A tort is a common law cause of action. Common law refers to the fact that Canada is part of the common law tradition. England developed its common law tradition over the past 1000 years, and tort law is a part of that tradition. The common law was received in all provinces other than Quebec. Cause of action refers to the fact that a tort is a civil wrong for which the law recognizes a…

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When can healthcare professionals be liable for negligence?

Acquire knowledge of the elements of the cause of action of medical malpractice Medical malpractice is a very technical and specialized area of law. The defendant is the healthcare professional (e.g. doctor, nurse, chiropractor). As well, hospitals can be liable for any negligence on the part of their employees on the basis of vicarious liability. In a medical malpractice lawsuit, there are a number of elements that the plaintiff must prove, on a balance of probabilities, in order to be successful. These elements are referred to as the “four Ds” – a) the defendant must have owed the plaintiff a…

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How does one apply for Medical-Rehabilitation and Attendant Care Benefits?

Discover the procedure for Med-Rehab and AC applications Although we will consider qualification criteria in more detail in further blog posts, here we will consider the procedure for applying for accident benefits. Medical-rehabilitation (aka med-rehab) benefits The insured must apply for benefits under other policies first (e.g. short-term disability/long-term disability benefits, work insurance, etc.). The form used depends on whether the insured’s injury is catastrophic, non-catastrophic or minor. If the injury is either catastrophic or non-catastrophic, the “Treatment and Assistance Plan” (OCF-18) must be completed and submitted. If the injury is minor, the “Treatment Confirmation Form” (OCF-23) must be. These…

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How is information exchanged in accident benefit claims?

Acquire knowledge of examinations under oath and independent examinations In a claim for accident benefits, both the applicant and the insurer bear rights and obligations. These rights and duties have been balanced in order to make the process fair to each side. Fairness from the applicant’s perspective means getting benefits if they are entitled to them. Fairness from the insurer’s perspective means preventing the applicant from getting benefits if they are not entitled to them. Before examining the parties’ respective rights and obligations, let us first define some key terms. During an examination under oath (or EUO), the insurer’s legal…

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