Tag Archives: toronto

Hurt On Private Property? Your Legal Options

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Slip and fall accidents can have a far-reaching impact on not just injured  victims, but often on the entire family.

Such accidents can result in a variety of injuries that result in serious physical, financial and emotional consequences.

Most people tend to assume that “Accidents are just accidents.” However, it’s a fact that most accidents are avoidable and preventable. They’re usually caused by someone’s fault or negligence, especially when they occur on someone else’s property.

Another common assumption that people make is that the accident happened because the victim was careless or not paying enough attention. As a result, many people injured in slip and fall accidents fail to take action against property-owners. CBC News Toronto reported that  that slip and fall injuries seemed to be on the rise and these figures continue to cause alarm pedestrians and health-care professionals. Toronto’s extended wintry conditions are the culprit in the huge number of people who have been injured after slipping and falling on icy, wet pavements, uncleared snow, hidden potholes and a host of other unforeseen hazards.

Skidding on ice can lead to a range of injuries, including a nasty crack on the head, damage to your spine, fractured hip-bones, dental and facial damage and crush injuries. If you skid and fall from a height, the risks are even greater.

Property-owners have a duty of care to ensure that their premises remain safe for all those who legitimately visit.

If you or a dear one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact the nearest personal injury lawyer with experience in dealing with similar cases. You may be entitled to compensation.

Types of Injuries

When such accidents happen, the injuries can range from minor and temporary to serious, life-altering, life-threatening and permanent. They include different types of soft tissue injuries, fractures, brain and spinal cord damage etc.

Whatever the nature of injury, it’s important to immediately report the injury to someone in authority at the site of the accident, collect details of how the accident happened by taking photographs if possible and most importantly, visit a qualified medical doctor without delay and get a thorough examination done. These steps are crucial when seeking compensation and medical, legal and insurance issues arise.

Who Is Liable?

Though the circumstances may differ from case to case, in general, property owners, those who rent or lease premises, multiple occupiers like shared tenancies, both landlord and tenant sharing the premises, organizations like sports-bodies etc all have a duty of care to ensure that their premises remain in a state of reasonable safety. Occupier’s Liability laws are in force across the country and clearly define the liability in case of single or multiple  owner/lessee/tenant/occupier. The lease or rent agreement should define the responsibilities and duties of each one of the parties, regarding areas, inspection, repairs, maintenance and liability.

Business owners are held to a higher standard of care. They must ensure that warning-signs are in place and be reasonably able to foresee  negligence by any third-party who occupies the premises.

Injured victims or their families can ensure that their rights and interests are protected by consulting an experienced slip and fall injury lawyer.

Signs To Red Flag In Traumatic Brain Injury

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Brampton personal injury lawyers understand the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in the case of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) following an accident.

Brain injuries can range from mild to severe. They largely depend on the area of the brain affected and the extent of injury. One of the main concerns with diagnosis and treatment of TBI is that the symptoms don’t always manifest immediately.

Causes of TBI

TBI may be of the open or closed type, where the skull is damaged or not. These injuries may occur due to several reasons, including:

  • Direct blow to the head
  • Gunshot wounds
  • Violent shaking of head and neck
  • Severe whiplash
  • Sudden movement or momentum change
  • Motor-vehicle/bicycle/motor-cycle/pedestrian accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Fall from a height
  • Assault
  • Being ejected from a moving vehicle
  • Sports injuries
  • Explosives

Additionally, if a person has suffered TBI previously, another severe damage to the head can compound the symptoms, especially if the first injured was not completely healed or resolved.

Statistically, young adults in the age-group of 15-19, older people above 65 and males across all age groups are more likely to sustain TBI.

Here you can read about Bad Habits that Can Hurt Your Brain

Diagnosis

TBI is initially diagnosed by physical examination and clinical interview with the victim following the accident. It is confirmed by CT scans, MRI etc but some cases of mild TBI may not show in imaging. In these cases, keeping the history of the person in mind and syncing it with the behavioral, emotional and cognitive aspects.

A multi-disciplinary team of professionals is involved in the diagnosis, which includes speech/language pathologists, audiologists, physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, physiotherapists, vocational and occupational therapists, social workers, employers, educationists etc.

In the case of children, infants or babies, the parent or care-giver’s report is important. Our experienced Brampton personal injury lawyers can assist victims by ensuring that the right diagnosis is obtained.

Signs and Symptoms

It is important for friends, family-members, co-workers and anyone else who is in regular contact with an accident victim to be vigilant and alert for certain symptoms that could indicate TBI.

Depending on the severity, they include:

  • Cognitive deficits
  • Mood swings
  • Unexplained headaches
  • Confusion
  • Light-headedness
  • Dizzy spells
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Excessive exhaustion
  • Drowsiness
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Bitter taste in the mouth
  • Light and sound sensitivity
  • Behavioral or personality changes
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Physical problems like loss of balance, nausea, swallowing difficulty
  • Thinking skills deficit: Processing information, problem solving, orientation, executive functioning, goal setting
  • Seizures
  • Speech disorders
  • Social-Emotional problems

The list could go on, based on the type of injury and the area of the brain that is affected.

Treatment

Prolonged hospitalization, surgery and extensive rehabilitation are required. It can be a short or long-term or lifetime requirement.

Speech and physical therapies are essential. Psychiatric evaluation, neuro-psychological assessment and frequent monitoring of the person’s condition are required. Prevention of secondary complications and restoration of available functions is begun.

In the case of long-term/permanent disability, assistive technology and therapies are required, along with medications. Life-long care, vocational and re-educational aspects are also essential. Our car accident lawyers work with the family to analyze the future care of the person.

Laws Must Protect Our Youth From Brain Injury

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Brampton personal injury lawyers are proud that Ontario became the first province in Canada to pass a legislation aimed at preventing concussions among young sports-persons and athletes. Known as Rowan’s Law, this important piece of legislation has huge implications for amateur sports leagues across Canada.

How It Happened

17 year-old Rowan Stringer was a talented young rugby player from Ottawa who tragically died on Mother’s Day, 2013, following multiple head concussions over a short period of time while she was playing. Known as second-impact syndrome, she suffered head trauma for the second time in a week, leading to her death.

Second-impact syndrome (SIS) occurs when the brain swells suddenly, swiftly and dangerously soon after a repeat impact that happens before the effects of the first one have healed. It can take place minutes, days or weeks following the earlier one. Sports-persons are specially vulnerable, since they return to the sport too early after the first impact.

SIS results in low distribution of energy and lesser blood flow within the brain. If managed properly and with proper rest, the effects of the first impact need not have serious consequences. However, when the subsequent impact occurs, the brain, being already vulnerable is unable to cope with the additional trauma. This results in fatality. At that time there were no protocols in place that could have prevented Rowan from returning to play after the first trauma unless she had a doctor’s certificate.

Rowan’s Law

A coroner’s inquest into Rowan Stringer’s death resulted in 49 recommendations for prevention of such fatalities. They include:

  • Awareness creation for athletes, sports-persons, parents, coaches and teachers about concussion injuries
  • Better concussion identifying tools for coaches and trainers
  • Concussion policies in place across Ontario school boards and sports bodies
  • Increased training and education for health-care professionals to identify and manage concussion

The law passed  in June 2016 following the inquest findings has come to be known as Rowan’s Law. This was the first law that is  specifically aimed at protecting children and youth. It ensures that all sports related associations and educational institutions put rules in place that mandate how concussion should be dealt with.

A variety of laws were put in place for Ontario school boards, rugby and sports clubs as well as ensuring a fee waiver for treatment of possibly concussed students, including during the recovery period.

Rowan’s father Gordon Stringer is among the many people who believe that her death was entirely preventable. “We need to have everything we can in place to prevent this from happening to another child,” he opined, “We don’t want anyone else to have to go through it.”

As of now, aside from Ontario, only Manitoba has proposed such legislation that would force sports bodies and associations to put protocols in place regarding return-to-play.

Apart from fatalities, concussion can also have other effects on the injured person. A study conducted in 2014 revealed that Ontario teens who suffered head trauma are more likely to lead troubled lives, with suicide, criminal behavior, aggression and bullying being some of the features.

Our 24×7 injury lawyers can advise you in such cases, help you with recovery and get possible compensation.

 

Head Injuries Sustained By Cycling Accident Victims: Whose Liability?

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Brampton personal injury lawyers know from experience that cycling accidents usually take a heavy toll on cyclists. On June 12, 2017, a 17-year old girl suffered serious injuries when she lost control of her bicycle and crashed the bike. She was part of a group of teenagers who were riding downhill at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton at night. The youngsters were riding on a trail located at the back of a popular ski hill. The victim was rushed to emergency care trauma center where her condition remains life-threatening.

Regional Police Constable Robert Fischer opined that although cycling is a great sport, he would like to remind everyone that they should ensure that they have the proper safety items with them, including a bicycle helmet, even when they’re off the road.

Cyclists are perhaps the most vulnerable of road users. They are nearly ten times as likely to suffer fatal injuries following an accident as compared to occupants of motor vehicles. In many cases, the victim was a person in the prime of life, in perfect physical and mental health, passionate about the outdoors and sports. Often, they may have just been out for a leisurely ride to relax after a hard day’s work at the office.

What Causes Cycling Accidents?

Hundreds of people in Ontario visit ERs in cycling related accidents and injuries and it is the opinion of health-care professionals that each one of these could have potentially been fatal. They also feel that while these accidents could not have been predicted, they were certainly preventable. As a result of the perceived dangers of cycling, civic authorities fear that people are less likely to cycle and more likely to discourage loved ones from cycling too.

Statistics show an alarming rise in cycling accidents. The reasons are not hard to find.

  • Distraction
  • Fatigue
  • Poor visibility
  • No helmet
  • Stunt riding
  • Alcohol/Drug Impairment
  • Carrying heavy loads
  • Failure to yield
  • Ignored warning signs
  • Ignored traffic lights
  • Traveling in wrong lane/against traffic
  • Emerging from behind parked vehicles
  • Unsafe lane changing

Who’s Liable?

Unlike motor-vehicle drivers, cyclists aren’t required to carry insurance. Under Ontario laws, both motorists and cyclists are covered by the Statutory Accident Benefits Scheme (SABS) regardless of fault. A brampton car accident lawyer can help you with the claims process.

Cycling is a billion dollar industry in Canada. More than 65% of Toronto residents own at least one bicycle, as it is an extremely bicycle-friendly city. The Occupier’s Liability Act (OLA) governs municipal liability for accidents occurring on locations other than highways or roadways and the municipality has a duty of care to ensure that the premises remain in a state of reasonable safety.

However, the duty of care is restricted when it comes to recreational trails. If the cyclist had exercised due safety on such trails, or not acted recklessly, the OLA can be invoked only partially, based on the circumstances.

Our 24 hour injury lawyers can assess your case and provide you with a genuine, swift and comprehensive evaluation.

Animal Related Motor-Vehicle Accidents: Safe Driving Tips

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Brampton personal injury lawyers know from experience that collisions between animals and motor-vehicles pose unique road safety challenges. One of the issues that prevents us from gaining a real understanding of the magnitude of the problem is the fact that reliable data is not available in this sector. Transport Canada sources confirm that the available data captures only about 50% of animal/motor-vehicle collisions. A 2003 report entitled Collisions Involving Large Animals and Motor-vehicles in Canada confirms that in 95% of animal-vehicle collisions result in property damage which is often less than $1000, and this could be one of the reasons for under-reporting

Pedestrians and bicyclists are aware of road rules and safety issues but animals obviously are not. They tend to appear suddenly in one’s path and also behave unpredictably on the roads, especially if they are startled or frightened by the sight and sound of a vehicle. As our road networks expand and penetrate into the habitat of wildlife, it’s only to be expected that there could be an increase in man-animal conflicts.

Statistics show that there are 4 to 8 large animal collisions every hour in Canada. Data for 2014 reveals that there were 11, 466 animal vehicle collisions in Ontario according to the Ontario Provincial Police.

Drivers need to remain vigilant not just for wild animals while driving through forest tracts, but also for domestic animals like cows and sheep while passing through agricultural and rural areas, and for pets and smaller creatures while passing through more urban locations. Apart from collisions, many drivers being nature-lovers may tend to stop unexpectedly on the highway to watch, photograph, avoid or tend to animals, leading to unsafe conditions for other road users.

Reduce Your Risks

Drivers need information and awareness about how to react in case they encounter an animal on the road.

Obey The Signs: Watch out for Wildlife Warning signs. They are distinctive, yellow diamond shaped signs that warn drivers that there is a risk of encountering an animal there. Though there may not be any speed reduction warning alongside, it’s only common-sense to drive slower in such sections.

Slow Down: Speed prevents drivers from exercising other options like stopping in time, swerving, honking, flashing lights at the animal, etc. It’s important to keep your speed at reasonable levels in areas which you know to be risk-prone.

Practice Defensive Driving: Pay attention to both sides of the road and expect the unexpected.

Time-related: Dusk and dawn are particularly risky times, when animals are more active. Animals like moose are difficult to spot in low light, because of their dark coats.

Strategic Moves: Gut instinct invariably leads drivers to swerve when they spot an animal suddenly, but this could pose a bigger risk. You may also hit other vehicles. For smaller animals like deer, braking is a better option, while swerving is certainly the best way to avoid hitting a large animal like a moose. For very small animals, it may be unfortunate, but it’s wiser to make a choice of hitting it if there are other vehicles on the road.

Stay Focused: If you have hit an animal, call the RCMP or park wardens in National Parks. Never try to attend to wounded animals as they can be dangerous.

Contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Brampton if you or a dear one has been in an animal-related collision. You may be entitled to compensation.

Pedestrian Head Injuries: Who Is Liable?

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A 40 year old male pedestrian suffered suffered serious head injuries after being struck by a delivery truck at the Dundas St and Beverley St intersection on May 3, 2017. Paramedics who rushed to the scene were responding to a 7:15 am emergency call and the injured victim was rushed to the ER. Toronto police have issued an advisory that the intersection will be closed for reconstruction of the accident and investigation into the accident will continue. The truck’s dash-cam footage will also be examined as part of the investigation.

Such incidents bring into sharp focus the fact that pedestrian accidents are on the increase. In Toronto, they have spiked by nearly 15% over the last year, and Toronto police opine that nearly 50-60% of all motor-vehicle fatalities involve pedestrians.

This was one of the reasons that the Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act was passed swiftly in 2016.

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?

Accidents involving pedestrians are quite common. It’s a sad but true fact that many pedestrian accidents never get reported, especially when the pedestrian suffers minor injuries. Most pedestrian accidents are caused by driver error, fault or negligence.

Among the main causes of pedestrian accidents are:

  • Driver distraction due to electronic devices
  • Drug/alcohol impaired driving
  • Driver unfamiliar with road
  • Aggressive driving/Road rage
  • Arterial roads/Highways/Busy Urban Centers
  • Failure to yield
  • Disobeying traffic signals
  • Speeding
  • Improper lane use by bicyclists
  • Unmarked crosswalks
  • Unsafe turns at intersections
  • No warning while backing up or making U-turn
  • Quieter cars
  • Pedestrian inattentiveness: Texting, reading, window-shopping, listening to music, etc
  • Pedestrian wearing dark clothes at dusk/dawn
  • Poor lighting/visibility/weather-conditions
  • Pedestrian ignoring Don’t Walk sign
  • Pedestrian crossing road at intersection

Who is Liable?

Pedestrian safety is a good marker for a city’s overall safety parameters. These accidents are not inevitable. Most of them are preventable and avoidable. Motor-vehicle drivers have the added responsibility of ensuring that they drive safely, within prescribed speed limits and that they obey all signs and signals. They also need to make necessary adjustments for weather conditions like rain, snow, slush etc that could cause pedestrians to step off curbs or cross the road unexpectedly or at unmarked places.

Looking at the above causative factors, it’s obvious that most of the errors are committed by drivers, but a few of them could also be errors on the part of pedestrians. Hence in some cases, there may be an element of shared responsibility. Pedestrians are expected to obey traffic rules and signs, avoid jaywalking, remain alert and avoid distractions like texting, music etc. If possible, they should wear bright or reflective clothing especially at night.

Every province has its own set of traffic rules and most of them are in favor of the pedestrian’s right of way. They are most vulnerable and can suffer serious injuries in a collision, hence motor-vehicle drivers are expected to remain alert and cautious.

An experienced car accident lawyer can help you with the right advice, assistance and advocacy.

Putting Insurers On Notice: Saadati vs Moorhead: Evidence of Recognized Psychiatric Injury Not A Precondition to Recovery

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Brampton personal injury lawyers have taken note of a landmark judgment on June 2, 2017, where the Supreme Court of Canada released a unanimous decision that filled a much-felt void in tort law. The court stated that proof of a psychiatric injury is not required to be furnished as a precondition to the award of damages for mental injuries that were caused by negligence.

Previously, it was common for courts to dismiss mental or emotional injury claims caused by negligence if the claimant was unable to demonstrate valid proof of a recognized psychiatric injury. However, this judgment now clearly shows the way. The court ruled that to establish a mental injury caused by negligence, the claimant has to show evidence for a “serious and prolonged disturbance that can be distinguished from normal annoyances, anxieties and fears.”

Saadati vs Moorhead

The case was heard in the Supreme Court after various trials at the Supreme Court of British Columbia (BC) and the BC Court of Appeal.

Mohsen Saadati (Appellant), Grant Iain Moorhead, Able Leasing Ltd and one other (Respondents) and the Insurance Bureau of Canada (Intervener) were the parties.

In the years 2003-9, Saadati was involved in five separate motor-vehicle accidents and suffered injuries. He was declared mentally incompetent in 2010 and has been represented by his litigation guardian. He had experienced chronic pain since the first accident which became aggravated after the third one.

Saadti sued the other parties in negligence, seeking damages for non-pecuniary losses and past income loss that arose from the second accident. Respondent admitted liability for the accident but rejected the claim for damages.

Since Saadati was unable to testify at trial, the trial judge found that the testimony of his friends and relatives was sufficient proof of psychological injury and awarded non-pecuniary damages of $100,000. The claim for physical injury was rejected and the judge did not find that the evidence of his expert psychologist to be enough to establish psychological injury. The BC court of appeal overturned this decision. This decision was later reversed by the Supreme Court of Canada.

Criteria for Recovery in Cases of Mental Injury in Negligence

The Supreme Court judge ruled that there are five cumulative criteria which determine the proof of existence of mental injury in negligence:

  • Duty of care
  • Breach of duty
  • Damage
  • Legal Causal relationship
  • Factual Causal relationship

There is no requirement to prove that a specific, recognizable injury was sustained by the claimant. To establish mental injury, the presence of serious and prolonged disturbances, beyond ordinary annoyances, anxieties and fears is enough. The important factors are symptoms and their effect and not the diagnosis. Proof that the defendant could have foreseen the injury and not the recognizable psychiatric illness is sufficient, ruled the court.

Implications for Accident Victims

In the light of this judgment, Toronto car accident lawyer and Toronto slip and fall injury lawyer can advise you suitably, if you or a dear one has suffered mental injuries in an accident.

This decision will certainly have a huge impact on future cases, since it puts mental and physical injuries on equal footing. Claimants who have sustained mental injuries no longer have to get a diagnosis of a specific injury and can instead demonstrate serious and prolonged disturbances in support of their claim.

Brampton Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers: Because Living With Mistakes Is Hard!

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Brampton personal injury lawyers Singh Barristers are regularly consulted by people who have been injured in a slip and fall accident through no fault of their own. They end up paying for someone else’s mistake, fault or negligence by bearing the enormous physical, financial and emotional consequences. 

Slip and fall injuries can be a life-altering experience if the injuries cause serious or permanent disability. Tragically, on hindsight it can be proved that most of these accidents are entirely preventable and avoidable. They may have occurred simply because someone somewhere down the chain of liability decided to cut costs, violate a few safety norms, neglect to conduct timely repairs or replace a tile or broken banister rail. 

If you or a dear one has suffered injuries in such an accident, contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Brampton. You may be entitled to compensation. 

Premises Liability 

The Occupier’s Liability Act in force in Ontario places the responsibility of maintenance of premises in a state of reasonable safety for all legitimate visitors squarely on the property owner. All property owners have a duty of care to ensure that all premises owned by them are kept safe not just for the people who regularly live/work there, but also for visitors. 

When someone who legitimately visits the property suffers a personal loss due to an unsafe condition on that property, whether domestic or commercial, the owner of that property is liable to cover the consequences suffered by the injured person. 

Hazardous conditions on properties would include tripping/slipping hazards, slippery/badly-maintained flooring, lighting, etc. these conditions may have been caused by the property-owner. 

Ignorance/negligence by the property owner though they knew about the hazardous condition also makes them liable. 

If the property-owner was notified of the hazardous condition but failed to take corrective action, this is also a key factor in proving negligence. 

How We Can Assist 

Our experienced Brampton slip and fall injury lawyers can help you claim compensation for: 

  • Medical expenses
  • Loss of wages, income
  • Pain and suffering 

Proving negligence, establishing the correct ownership of the property, gathering evidence etc are areas where our legal and multidisciplinary teams can help you.

24×7 injury lawyers ensure that a strong and robust claim is presented so that you receive the compensation you deserve. 

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Brampton Personal Injury Lawyers: Big Or Small – Accidents Hurt!

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Brampton personal injury lawyers Singh Barristers are regularly consulted by people who have been injured in various types of accidents through no fault of their own. 

Slip and fall accidents and motor-vehicle accidents are among the most common ones in urban areas. Such accidents are on the rise in recent years, partly due to the fact that Canada has a large and increasing component of elderly citizens. This demographic may suffer a variety of accidents on city streets. As pedestrians they may be involved in motor-vehicle collisions, or they may suffer slip and fall injuries. This can seriously affect their future health, mobility, quality of life and financial and emotional well-being. 

The most unfortunate aspect of such accidents is that most of them are preventable and avoidable. They’re usually caused by someone’s breach of safety regulations, fault or negligence. 

Contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Brampton if you or a dear one suffers injuries in an accident. You may be entitled to compensation. 

Common Injuries That Senior Citizens Suffer In Accidents 

As our Brampton car accident lawyers and Brampton slip and fall injury lawyers know from experience, the elderly comprise one of the most vulnerable populations in our cities.

They can suffer a variety of injuries in accidents, based on their general health status, weight, age, etc. The injuries may include:

  • Ankle, Wrist, Knee Sprains or Fractures
  • Shoulder Dislocation
  • Facial or Dental injuries
  • Hip Fractures (These are most common among older adults)
  • Back and spine injuries
  • Concussion/Contusion
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Cuts, Wounds, Lacerations
  • Impact Injuries
  • Bruises 

Hip fractures in older adults are a matter of concern. They may require surgery and this is always risky in older people. They cause a range of problems including urinary tract infection, lowered immunity, the need for extended hospital stay, physiotherapy, care-giving, etc.

Elderly people may also suffer severe emotional distress following a fall. Reduced mobility, depression, anxiety, loss of sleep/appetite can result, along with phobias/fears. Nearly 20% of such victims die within a year of the accident.

Our experienced 24×7 injury lawyers can help you claim the compensation you deserve so that you can improve the quality of medical care/treatment and get your life back on track. 

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Brampton Car Accident Lawyers: Advice, Assistance and Advocacy!

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Brampton personal injury lawyers Singh Barristers can provide you with a comprehensive range of services that help you and your family get your lives back on track following a car accident.

Whether you suffered a minor fender-bender or a catastrophic collision, it’s certain that you and your family could face certain physical, financial and emotional consequences.

It’s only natural that the mishap disrupts your life in many ways. You and your family may find it difficult to meet medical and rehabilitation expenses, pay for care-giving, meet household expenses when your earning-capacity is curtailed. Additionally, you may also suffer anxiety, fear, depression and post-traumatic stress.

As you struggle to deal with these problems, it’s important to understand that as a victim you also have certain rights. Accidents are not always “accidental.” They are sometimes caused by someone else’s fault or negligence. If you or a dear one has suffered injuries in an accident, contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Brampton. We can advise you about your rights, based on:

  • circumstances of your case
  • nature and extent of injuries
  • kind of losses suffered

What Benefits Can I Claim?

Ontario’s no-fault benefits scheme SABS (statutory accident benefits scheme) entitles all those injured in motor-vehicle accidents to claim statutory benefits, regardless of fault. This means that your own insurance-company will pay out certain benefits to cover some of the expenses that you have to incur as a result of the accident.

You are also entitled to sue the person/s responsible for the accident. This is best done with the assistance and advice of an experienced Brampton car accident lawyer.

Complex Procedure

Bringing a personal injury suit can be daunting for someone unfamiliar with the process. Victims of accidents and their families are usually focused on recovery and dealing with the day-to-day aspects of it.

There are several complicated medical, legal and insurance issues involved in getting the compensation you may justly deserve. They include:

  • Whom to bring the suit against?
  • Gathering evidence to back your claim
  • Documentation
  • Statute of Limitations time frame
  • Dealing with insurance-companies/claims adjusters
  • Location/venue/jurisdiction
  • Witnesses and Experts

We protect your rights while conducting the process according to the necessary protocol. 

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Accidents Aren’t Always Accidental: Ontario Provincial Police Reports

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Brampton personal injury lawyers are aware that most motor-vehicle mishaps that are termed “accidents” are rarely accidental. Instead, they can be traced down to someone’s fault or negligence, deliberate flouting of safety norms, behavior, habits, etc.

Unfortunately, these events result in tragic physical, financial and emotional consequences for the injured victims and their families. The impact of the accident can change the entire course of someone’s life. Death and disability impose a permanent and irrevocable burden on all those close to the victim.

Studies are regularly conducted on the causes of such accidents and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) release data that pinpoint some of the causes of accidents.

The Top 4 or Big 4 causes of motor-vehicle accidents are:

  • Distractions
  • Speeding
  • Not Wearing Seat-belt
  • Impaired driving

These factors play an important part in causing crashes and they also affect the kind of injuries suffered by drivers and passengers when a collision happens.

The behavior of drivers and passengers is another equally important criterion. Common mistakes that cause serious collisions have been analyzed by traffic and accident experts. These include:

  • Negligence while turning
  • Wrong use of seat-belt
  • Unrestrained pets
  • Not maintaining lane discipline
  • Improper maintenance of vehicle
  • Driving when drowsy, fatigued or under the influence of alcohol/prescription drugs etc

and many more simple acts of carelessness or deliberate flouting of safety rules.

There are many organizations across Ontario that help to create awareness  about driving and road safety.

Often, the causes of car crashes is put down to speeding. However, speeding is not the only factor. Many pedestrians are killed even in low speed limit zones. This could be because of other aspects like poor visibility, non-functioning crosswalk signals, careless and reckless driving in school-zones, taking sudden U-turns where they’re not permitted etc.

Another reason could be the huge rise in the population of cities like Toronto. The population has doubled in the GTA over the last thirty years, causing an enormous burden on the city’s infrastructure and transportation systems. Mixed traffic on city streets includes pedestrians, cyclists, public and private transportation. Lower speed limits may not solve the problem unless all those who share the road behave with due responsibility and diligence.

Senior citizens and children are among the most vulnerable of pedestrians and they’re also the ones who suffer serious injuries in motor-vehicle collisions. Pedestrians, walkers, runners and joggers are also at risk if they don’t wear reflective clothing and stay alert when they’re out on the street.

A ten year long study conducted by OPP shows that most of the fatalities that took place over the last decade on Ontario roads could have been prevented. However, as many observers and traffic experts have pointed out, studies like this fail to show that there are an equal or higher number of accidents that cause serious and life-altering injuries which put an even larger burden on the state and on the families of the victims.

If you or a dear one has suffered injuries in a motor-vehicle collision, contact an experienced car accident lawyer. We can evaluate the circumstances of your case and apprise you on its merits. You could be entitled to compensation.

 

Dangerous Rollover Accidents: Why They Happen

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Brampton personal injury lawyers know from experience that although “rollover” accidents account for only 3% of crashes, they’re responsible for the worst kind of injuries and fatalities. Studies show that 30% of fatalities in motor-vehicle collisions are those that are caused due to rollover accidents. Apart from death, these accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, permanent disability and disfigurement, amputation and many other life-altering conditions.

Tragically, most of these accidents are preventable. They’re caused by someone’s fault or negligence.

If you or a dear one has been injured in a rollover accident, contact a car accident lawyer with specific experience in dealing with such accidents. You may be entitled to compensation.

What Is A Rollover Accident?

These accidents are caused when a vehicle falls over on its side or roof. They are complex collisions and there may be several factors responsible for their occurrence.

Taller and heavier vehicles like SUVs and trucks are more likely to roll over or turn turtle in a collision because of their higher center of gravity. This makes the vehicle less stable. When the vehicle rolls over, passengers and driver are at high risk for head injuries, because the roof collapses inwards. Additionally, since people are belted into their seats, they are unable to move. The doors and windows may jam or get blocked making it impossible for people to exit. Though there are new roof rules for passenger vehicles and SUVs, they still may not be enough to contain the potential damage caused by rollover accidents.

Driving an SUV calls for superior driving skills but not all car drivers understand this. It also requires the driver to be more alert and sensitive to the vehicle’s turning and handling capacity at high speed. There are complex rules of Newtonian physics involved in such crashes. Most rollover accidents are lateral rollovers. Modern features like anti-lock brakes can aggravate the problem.

Typical causes for rollover accidents include speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, unfamiliar rural roads, distraction, taking turns recklessly, talking on the cellphone or texting etc. Studies show that nearly 85% of rollover accidents are single vehicle crashes and hence it’s possible to conclude that driver error plays a significant part. A typical example is the collision that occurred on May 17, 2017 on the Springfield Lexington highway.

If you or a dear one has been injured in a rollover accident, our experienced 24×7 injury lawyers can help collate a robust body of evidence with the help of car crash specialists. Accident reconstruction experts can conduct independent investigations into the true causes of the accident and fix the liability.

All injured victims in Ontario are entitled to statutory benefits regardless of fault, but they’re also entitled to file a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver. These accidents can cause huge physical, financial and emotional trauma to not just the victim but also to the entire family. Our Brampton car accident lawyers can ensure that your rights are safeguarded while we help you with getting the compensation you deserve.

Child Passenger Safety: Some Useful Tips

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Brampton personal injury lawyers often deal with cases where young children have been seriously injured in car accidents. There’s no kidding around child passenger safety – children and senior citizens are among the most vulnerable of passengers in vehicular collisions. They often suffer serious/fatal injuries that can permanently alter their lives and those of their family-members. 

Although motor-vehicles are thoroughly tested before they are sold, a majority of accidents occur because of driver-error. Distraction, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, reckless driving, road rage, weather conditions, inexperienced drivers, unfamiliar roads and the use of cellphones/texting are some of the leading causes of motor-vehicle collisions. They result in horrible tragedies like the one that occurred in Innisfil, Ontario. 

Studies show that motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of fatalities among children in Canada. Although all the ten Canadian provinces have stringent rules regarding child-safety seats, a large number of serious injuries/fatalities occur because of non-compliance with these rules. Misuse or non-use of child-safety seats, seatbelts etc are among the common causes of injuries. Ontario laws hold the driver of the vehicle responsible for making sure that a child-passenger below age 16 is properly secured according to their age, weight and size.

The Canadian Public Health Association clearly outlines the proper use of safety devices. The use of appropriate passenger restraints can reduce the risk of injuries in case of a collision. There are different types of restraints and safety devices for children based on their age, size and weight.

  • Rear-facing seats: for children below age 1 and 22 lbs
  • Forward-facing seats: for children ages 4-5, weighing up to 40 lbs
  • Booster seats: for children up to age 9, weighing up to 80lbs and height up to 145 cm.
  • Seat belts for all others.
  • Children should ride in the back seat till they’re 14.
  • Hard, loose toys should not be kept inside the vehicle.
  • Child-seats have expiry-dates. Never use, buy or donate a seat past its expiry date, marked at the back of the seat.
  • Ensure that you change the child-seat if your car has been in a collision, even if the child was not in the car at the time or the seat seems undamaged.

Moving children too early or too late to their age-appropriate category makes child-passenger-seats unsafe. If the child is too small for a seat-belt, but the parents strap him/her in without considering that a booster-seat may be more appropriate, this can result in serious injuries. Severe injuries to spinal cord and internal organs can result, causing what crash specialists call “seat belt syndrome .”

Never leave a child unattended in or around a car. Leaving a sleeping toddler inside a locked car even for a few minutes can be fatal. Drivers should never leave the keys in the ignition even for a second when there is an unattended child inside the car.

Organizations like the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada 

conduct regular courses for all those interested in reducing and finally eliminating the causes of fatal collisions and risks to child-passenger safety.

Contact an experienced car accident lawyer if you have been involved in an accident that has caused injuries to your children. You may be entitled to compensation.

Stay Safe While Running: Sharing The Road

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Brampton personal injury lawyers know from experience that with summer weather approaching, more and more people are out on the roads. Many of these include runners and whether they’re in it for the sheer pleasure of enjoying the warm weather sport, or they’re prepping for a big event or marathon, runners remain vulnerable on our roads.

Getting fit and not getting hit is a huge priority for runners. Running early in the morning, at dusk or late at night put runners at risk of being hit by motor-vehicles. Drivers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all those whom they share the road with, but accidents can and do happen.

Most of these mishaps are preventable and they’re caused by someone’s fault or negligence. If you or a dear one has been hit by a vehicle while you were out running, contact a car accident lawyer with experience in handling similar cases. You may be entitled to compensation.

Runners have the same rights and responsibilities as pedestrians. They’re just as vulnerable on the street but they also need to follow traffic rules and ensure that they don’t indulge in risky behavior.

Cities like Toronto have more than 600 km of trails and a vast park system that covers nearly 13% of the urban land area. However, this doesn’t prevent runners and joggers from using busy urban areas and streets. Ownership of the pavements and maintaining proper running etiquette are some of the concerns that all road users have regarding joggers and runners.

Runners and joggers are completely exposed to impact forces when collisions happen. Staying safe is a huge priority for them, because an accident can impose enormous physical, financial and emotional burdens on them and their families. Runners have to ensure that they use the roads and pavements safely and responsibly.

Tips for Safe Running:

Be visible: Wear bright, reflective clothing and shoes especially if you enjoy early morning or late evening runs.

Against Traffic: It’s wiser to run opposite to oncoming traffic. This way you can avoid being hit from behind and also gauge what’s coming at you.

Stay On The Shoulder: Keeping to the shoulder and designated areas for pedestrians ensures that you don’t come in the way of motor-vehicles.

Know The Area: Running on unexplored trails is great but a familiar route is much safer.

Pride Goes Before A Fall: Swallow your ego and give way to traffic even if you have right of way.

Valuables/Jewelry: Remember you’re under observation. Muggers may attack you just for the stuff you’re carrying.

Let People Know: your route and timings. Stay in touch with friends and family so they are alerted immediately in case of mishaps.

Stalking: Sexual predators are an ever-present risk. If you feel you’re being followed, calmly jog into a public place or residence and call the police.

Carry bus-change or cab-fare: You may sprain an ankle/tear a ligament.

Check your laces.

Avoid distractions like cell-phones/music/radio/texting.

Running in groups is great but you need to respect pavement etiquette.

What Every Cyclist Should Know: A Legal Overview

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Brampton personal injury lawyers understand that with winter blues becoming a thing of the past, more and more people are taking out their bicycles. Ontario’s major cities are among the most cycling-friendly cities in the world. Toronto alone accounts for a daily downtown count of at least 19,000 cyclists who use the roads between 7 am and 7pm. This activity allows people to enjoy the exercise and be a part of the eco-friendly movement while traveling around town for work, sport or entertainment. However, cyclists remain among the most vulnerable of road-users along with pedestrians and motor-cyclists.

A recent report released by Ontario’s Chief Coroner reveals alarming statistics. One of the findings states in unequivocal terms that 100% cycling fatalities were preventable. To quote from the study, “…..this hypothesis held true in each and every death we reviewed.”

Cycling accidents like most other types are avoidable. A majority of them are caused by someone’s fault or negligence. Cyclists themselves may be partly responsible for collisions, but it’s also the duty of motor-vehicle drivers to ensure that they drive responsibly and stay alert. If you or a dear one has been injured in a bicycle/motor-vehicle collision, consult an experienced car accident lawyer without delay. You may be entitled to compensation.

Know Your Rights

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation rules clearly specify that cyclists should know highway and traffic regulations before they take to the roads. They don’t require license-plates, registration, vehicle insurance or driver’s license. There’s no age limit to riding. They cannot carry passengers if their vehicle is meant only for a single rider. Cyclists are considered to be road-users like all others who share the road. They are subject to the same traffic laws, and have the same rights/responsibilities as other road-users.

Since January 1, 2017, several new guidelines have been in force regarding laws that cyclists must obey. Some of these laws concern motor-vehicle drivers too, such as the One Meter Passing law, Dooring, use of intermittent flashing-lights by cyclists, increasing fines for non-compliance in use of reflective clothing etc, and the wearing of helmets.

Cyclists must  ride far from the curb to stay clear of sewer-grates, debris, parked-car doors etc. They’re also allowed to occupy any part of the lane if their safety warrants it.

As more awareness is being created and cyclists are now a familiar sight on our roads, it important to take stock of how general traffic rules can be made more convenient to accommodate them. Advocacy groups like Cycle Toronto recommend that the provincial laws be changed to allow bikers to follow the Idaho stop rules which treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs. Cycles are vehicles governed by the laws of momentum and such cycle-friendly regulations can go a long way in reducing collisions and clearing  misunderstandings about cyclist behavior and driving styles.

Injuries sustained in cycling accidents can have serious physical, financial and emotional consequences on not just the injured victim but also on the entire family.

Our 24×7 injury lawyers can help to protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

New Auto Insurance Rules: Difficult for Victims, Risky for Insurers

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Brampton personal injury lawyers are aware that the new regulations that will become effective June1, 2017 across Ontario have caused concern across the board. These changes were intended to reduce the high premium rate that was prevalent in the province. According to industry experts, auto insurance premiums in Ontario ranked among the highest in Canada. Though insurance is a regulated product, the rates are set by individual insurers before being reviewed and approved by agencies like the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and the Superintendent of Financial  Services.

Rampant fraud was cited as one of the reasons for such high premiums and it’s one of the factors that had to be urgently addressed in this sector. In many cases, insurance companies failed to act in good faith, denying victims the compensation they rightfully deserved.

Car Insurance - Personal Injury Lawyers

By law, all Ontario drivers must carry insurance for their vehicles. There is a no-fault insurance system in Ontario that deems that all injured victims are entitled to compensation regardless of fault. These statutory benefits are available from the victim’s own insurers.

If you or a dear one has been injured in a motor-vehicle accident that was caused by someone else’s fault or negligence, contact an experienced Brampton car accident lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation.

What Are The New Regulations?

The main changes  include alterations to the Medical, Rehabilitation and Attendant Care benefits and benefits periods. Changes have also been made to standard deductibles, maximum interest rates, waiting period, underwriting/rating criteria and duration of payment for non-catastrophic injuries.

The premium payable depends on the type of coverage and limits chosen. The definitions of catastrophic/non-catastrophic injuries have to be well-understood while making a claim for compensation.

These and other highly-technical aspects of insurance contracts and regulations are matters that few injured victims and their families are familiar with. When accidents occur, most people are completely focused on the medical aspects and coping with the huge physical, financial and emotional consequences of the mishap.

Impact

The new guidelines can have a serious negative impact on the type and amount of compensation that victims and their families are eligible to receive.

The impact on the insurance brokers sector is also slated to be serious, as lawyers warn of more cases against brokers. A new Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) for arbitration of disputes over the Statutory Accident Benefits Scheme (SABS) prevailing in Ontario has been created. This is expected to create some degree of confusion initially, as it can cause a mixed no-fault regime, with no clear division between the court system for tort claims and the arbitration system for SABS.

The new regulations emphasize the urgent need for insurance companies  to inform and educate their clients about the requirement for higher benefits coverage and third-party limits. Failure to do so can result in more suits being filed against insurance brokers.

Filing for compensation in automobile accidents is a complex enterprise, with several complicated medical, legal and insurance issues being involved. Your rights and interests have to be safeguarded and protected. Our experienced 24×7 injury lawyers can help you deal with these aspects so that you and your family can concentrate on getting your life back on track.

Toronto Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers: Your Cause is Our Case!

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Walking is Healthy! Keep it Safe! 

Toronto personal injury lawyers Singh Barristers are aware that innumerable studies have demonstrated the benefits of walking. Surveys put Toronto as the second most walkable city in Canada. This is the result of several factors – local amenities, grocery-shops, accessible health-services, libraries, restaurants, schools, parks etc.

While walkability decreases people’s dependence on motor-vehicle/non-motorized transportation, it also brings into focus safety measures and convenience of walking for pedestrians. Both public and private spaces have to be maintained in a state of reasonable safety for walkers and pedestrians.

Toronto’s harsh winters make walking challenging for older adults, though they are the highest beneficiaries of this form of exercise.

Statistics gathered between 2006-15 reveal that there were nearly 30,000 emergency department visits and 2,800 hospitalizations due to slip and fall injuries among Toronto residents.

Such injuries cost the provincial health-care system nearly $4,000,000 annually. The city had to fork out nearly $6,700,000  annually in the form of liability insurance claims.

If you or a dear one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Toronto. You may be entitled to compensation.

How We Can Assist

People injured in slip/trip and fall accidents often fail to report the accident, seek medical help or make a compensation claim for their injuries. There are several reasons for this. They assume that:

  • The accident was partly their fault
  • Their injuries are not serious
  • Seeking legal assistance is bothersome, expensive and time-consuming
  • Their insurance coverage will take care of their costs
  • The at-fault party would readily settle

However, all these aspects can be detrimental to your physical, financial and emotional well-being. Your injuries could be more serious than previously assumed. Insurance-companies may not act in good faith.

Our experienced Toronto slip and fall injury lawyers can assist you to get the compensation you deserve.

Filing a personal injury case prevents further, more serious accidents to other people in that spot. The owner/occupier of the premises has to be held accountable for negligence and safety-violations.

Our 24 hour injury lawyers safeguard your interests!

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Toronto Personal Injury Lawyers: Protecting Pedestrian Rights!

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“Pedestrians Don’t Come With Airbags!” – Safety Slogan 

Toronto personal injury lawyers Singh Barristers know from experience that accidents can happen anywhere. People walking on the street can be knocked down by a speeding/drunken driver running a red-light. Others walking on the pavement may slip and fall because of a puddle of water pooled under a building’s air-conditioning unit. 

Often, major injuries result from such accidents. 

Such accidents have a serious impact on not just the person who was injured, but also on their families. 

Injuries mean: 

  • Time out from work/school/house-hold duties
  • Loss of income/wages/earning-capacity
  • Hefty medical and rehabilitation bills
  • Pain and suffering 

In the case of very severe injuries, the victim may suffer disability, disfigurement or even death.

It’s important to understand that most accidents are preventable and avoidable. They’re usually caused by someone else’s fault or negligence.

Contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Toronto if you or a dear one has been injured in an accident. You may be entitled to compensation.

Pedestrian Rights in Ontario

Ontario laws provide certain rights to pedestrians. As of January 1, 2016, all drivers, including bicyclists, have to yield the entire roadway at pedestrian and school crossings and other crossings where there is a crossing-guard. These rules are not applicable at traffic-signs or stop signs where there is no crossing-guard.

Drivers and pedestrians both have a duty to remain safe and ensure the safety of other road users.

In general, pedestrians have right of way, as our experienced Toronto personal injury lawyers are aware. However, they are also expected to abide by the rules. Jaywalking is prohibited throughout the province.

An experienced Toronto car accident lawyer can evaluate your case and advise you on the way forward, if your accident happened due to a motor-vehicle driver’s fault or negligence.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Toronto slip and fall injury lawyer can assess the circumstances under which you slipped/tripped and injured yourself.

Such cases fall under premises/occupier’s liability. If your accident occurred on government/municipality-owned property or residential/private property, our 24 hour injury lawyers can help put together a robust claim for compensation.

We help you get the compensation you deserve!

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Toronto Personal Injury Lawyers: When Injuries Affect Your Life

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Safety Is Choice, Not Chance! 

Toronto personal injury lawyers Singh Barristers who meet with clients injured in accidents understand that accidents are not always accidental. They’re usually the result of another person’s fault or negligence. Car accidents or slip and fall accidents happen because of violation or ignorance of safety norms, internal or external factors. When these “accidents” are thoroughly investigated, the root cause can be identified. 

Unfortunately, accidents also impact the victim and their families. They face enormous physical, financial and emotional consequences. If the injuries are serious, they face a life-time of pain, disability and loss of quality of living. 

If you or a dear one has been injured in an accident caused by someone’s negligence, contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Toronto. You may be entitled to compensation. This may be available in the form of statutory benefits that are given to Ontario residents injured in motor-vehicle accidents. Or victims and their families can file a personal injury suit against the responsible party, claiming compensation for the damages. 

What Is Personal Injury? 

Personal injury laws relate to legal remedies/defenses available to victims of wrongful conduct or negligence. Personal injury cases are instituted in civil laws and they are based on the doctrine of negligence and the presumption that every member of society has to act responsibly and avoid putting others at risk. 

Liability and negligence have to be proved and the plaintiff has to show that anyone else in the defendant’s position would have acted with responsibility and reasonableness under the circumstances. 

Plaintiffs have to demonstrate the direct relationship between accident, injury and damages. 

When liability and negligence have been established, the defendant must pay the plaintiff for all the damages caused by the accident in question. 

Punitive damages may also be available. 

Experienced Toronto car accident lawyer and Toronto slip and fall injury lawyer can assist with the claims process and ensure that your rights are safeguarded. 

Toronto personal injury lawyers help you put together a robust claim, handle the complex legal, medical and insurance issues and advocate for you so that your interests are protected throughout.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Toronto Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers: Finding Solutions For You And Your Family!

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Slips and Trips? Get A Grip! 

Toronto personal injury lawyer Singh Barristers regularly meet clients who have been injured in slip and fall or trip and fall accidents. 

These accidents can result in a variety of injuries, ranging from sprains, bruises, fractures and cuts to serious brain and spinal injuries, concussion, facial and dental damage, internal organ damage, disability, paralysis, etc. 

The nature and extent of the injuries depends on: 

  • Location and ground conditions
  • Force of impact
  • Height from which the victim fell
  • Age and general health status of victim 

If you or a dear one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Toronto. 

You may be entitled to compensation. 

Premises/Occupier’s Liability 

Though known as slip and fall accidents, technically, they fall under the Premises Liability law. This is the area of law that helps to determine fault when accidents occur. 

  • Someone who visits another person’s property with legitimate reason may slip or trip and fall on that property.
  • Injuries are caused, which result in physical, financial and emotional damage to the injured victim.
  • The premises owner or occupier is responsible for keeping the premises in a reasonable state of safety.
  • They may have breached this responsibility through their negligence or fault.
  • Hence, they must compensate the injured victim for the injuries directly caused by the accident. 

The property may be a residential, privately-owned or commercial property. It may be owned by the local municipality or by the government. 

Toronto slip and fall injury lawyers typically deal with accidents caused by: 

  • Stairs/steps accidents
  • Falls on ice/snow
  • Trips on clutter, improperly shelved merchandise
  • Broken, damaged, missing fence-rails
  • Lack of warning signs
  • Liquid spills
  • Poor lighting in parking-lots or staircases
  • Uneven ground, pavement
  • Unanchored carpets/rugs/mats
  • Torn/worn/loose floor-coverings, tiles etc 

How We Can Help 

Our experienced 24×7 injury lawyers evaluate your claim and provide you with a swift, genuine and comprehensive assessment of its merits.

We can advise you on the complex legal, medical and insurance issues, protect your rights and interests and ensure that a robust claim backed by evidence is presented.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Toronto Car Accident Lawyers: How Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Benefit You and Your Family

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We Have the Experience 

Toronto car accident lawyers Singh Barristers regularly handle cases where innocent people have been injured in car accidents. Most people assume that accidents are “mere accidents.” However, it’s a fact that most accidents are preventable and avoidable. 

Given this scenario, accidents are caused by someone’s fault or negligence, or violation of safety norms. 

Accidents impose a huge financial, physical and emotional burden on victims and their families. 

Experienced Toronto car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve to ease this burden. 

How We Can Help 

As 24 hour injury lawyers, we provide an initial, free, no-obligation consultation to evaluate your case. This helps us to  understand the circumstances and provide relevant advice based on this. It helps you to clearly enunciate the injuries you’ve suffered and the outcome you expect. We also inform and educate you about your rights. 

We identify the pertinent issues and conduct independent investigations to build a robust claim. We enlist the help of auto and medical experts, car-crash specialists, witnesses etc. Relevant photographic or CCTV footage can be accessed if available, along with police/traffic/medical records. 

In case of serious injuries, we work with multi-disciplinary teams to build a comprehensive life-care plan that takes care of your present and future requirements. 

We believe that victims and their families deserve not just monetary compensation – they should also be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. 

Most personal injury claims are settled out of court, through negotiations with at-fault party, their insurers and legal representatives. We advocate your cause in all such conferences and ensure that your interests remain uppermost. 

However, if such talks prove unfruitful, we’re fully prepared to go to trial and represent you ably. 

When you contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Toronto for a consultation, ensure that you do your own homework and hire the right professional. 

Personal injury lawyers are bound by strict codes of ethics, confidentiality and allegiance once they take up your case. As experienced personal injury lawyers with 5 star rating on Google from clients, we ensure that your rights are fully protected till full and satisfactory settlement has been achieved.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Mississauga Slip and fall injury Lawyers: Beware of Posting On Social Media

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You Never Know Who’s Watching! 

Mississauga slip and fall injury lawyers Singh Barristers keep abreast of not only the latest rulings, amendments, regulations and laws in personal injury law and insurance, but we also stay informed about social media trends. 

Slip and fall accidents, like most other accidents are preventable and avoidable. Most of them are caused by someone’s fault,  negligence or violation of safety norms. 

Contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Mississauga with experience, expertise and knowledge of handling slip and fall injury cases. You may be entitled to compensation. 

We Can Advise You 

There are several complex medical, legal and insurance issues involved, that most victims and families are unfamiliar with. Sadly, these are the loopholes which insurance-companies, even your own, can take advantage of. 

Insurers and their claims-adjusters may not always have your best interests at heart. Their focus would be to protect their business interests. 

Our 24 hour injury lawyers can advise you how best to safeguard your rights and interests. 

Posting On Social Media 

We live in an age where it’s considered mandatory to post every event that happens to us on social media websites. 2015 statistics showed that 65% of adults use some form of social media. We nonchalantly post remarks, opinions, flippant comments etc without considering that they may be tracked. 

Information released by Timetric, an online data analysis and advisory service, reveal that increasingly, insurance companies use fraud-investigators to probe accident claims via social media postings by victims and families. 

For every piece of evidence that you present to show that you’ve suffered physical, financial and emotional losses, the at-fault party would offer a counter-claim. 

Earlier it was not easy to provide counter-claims against pain and suffering, emotional trauma, depression, etc. 

But today, as our Mississauga slip and fall injury lawyer know, a casual picture posted inadvertently on social media, showing the victim laughing or enjoying a drink at a pub, etc can damage this claim. 

We can ensure that your rights are safeguarded by giving you the right, timely advice.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Brampton Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers: Handy Checklist for Injured Victims

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Slipped and Fell? The Next Few Steps Are Crucial! 

Brampton slip and fall injury lawyers Singh Barristers who handle such cases exclusively know that the period that immediately follows a slip and fall injury are extremely vital. What you do or don’t do could determine the legal, medical and insurance outcomes enormously.

Most slip and fall accidents are caused by someone else’s fault or negligence. All property owners, whether private or public, have a duty of care to ensure that all legitimate visitors to the premises remain safe.

When accidents happen, contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Brampton, as you may be entitled to compensation.

Why Is It Important to Consult a Lawyer?

Following a slip and fall injury, our 24 hour injury lawyers can ask you these questions:

  • Was the object against which you tripped/slipped out of place/broken/damaged?
  • Could there be a reason why the object was placed there?
  • If there are reasons, could a warning sign have been placed to limit accident chances?
  • Was the accident caused by broken objects or safety features?
  • Was the accident caused by insufficient lighting, uneven flooring, loose carpeting, wet-floors, liquid spills etc?
  • Was this hazardous condition existent for a long enough time for the owner to have known about it and fixed it?

If you’ve answered Yes to any of them, we can proceed with conducting further independent investigations into the circumstances, access property-maintenance records, etc.

Immediate Steps to Be Taken

Claiming compensation in slip and fall injury cases can be challenging because it can be difficult to establish the negligence and fix liability on the right party.

  • Ensure that the accident is reported immediately to someone in authority
  • Get medical attention immediately
  • Take photos of location
  • Note time and date
  • Contact a personal injury lawyer
  • Preserve all clothing, footwear worn at the time
  • Get contact details of witnesses 

Avoid communications/negotiations with at-fault party, their insurers and legal representatives without the advice of your Brampton slip and fall injury lawyer.

Follow all medical advice meticulously, preserve all records/receipts, avoid posting on social media regarding the case.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)

Funeral Home Negligence

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The death of a dear one is always an emotional issue and we would like their funeral and other rituals to go smoothly, in a dignified and peaceful manner, reflecting the love and respect we had for the person, their status in society and the beliefs and ethics they held in their lifetime.

Today, most people rely on funeral homes to help them bid farewell to loved ones. Such organizations take care of the funeral arrangements, burial or cremation, memorials, publishing obituaries, statutory requirements etc. and we trust them to do what’s in our best interest.

However, carelessness, lack of attention to our wishes, negligence and disrespect to the dead are some of the issues that cause great distress and grief to family and friends. If you have been the victim of funeral home negligence, contact a personal injury law firm which has experience in handling such cases, to file a personal injury claim against those responsible for mishaps and untoward events.

What Constitutes Funeral Home Negligence?

Most of us are unaware of our rights when we enter into contracts with funeral homes. In such a time of grief and distress, we are most vulnerable and fail to pay attention to many practical matters. Regardless of religion or faith, matters concerning death must be handled with respect and dignity. Any lack of dignity or respect can be termed “cemetery desecration.” Fraudulent practices and attempts to take advantage of the family’s sensitive condition result in certain malpractices and negligent acts.

Some examples of funeral home negligence include:

  • Partial embalming of body when full charges are collected

  • Not following instructions regarding coffin, dress, flowers etc

  • Improper embalming

  • Improper storage/refrigeration

  • Stealing of organs for sale

  • Sexual assault or abuse of deceased

  • Missing/misplaced body

  • Presentation of wrong body

  • Maggot or fungus infestation

  • Improper or incorrect burial/cremation

  • Misplacement of deceased’s property like jewelry or tooth-fillings

  • Misplacement of ashes

  • Co-mingling of ashes

  • Unauthorized disposal

  • Failure to tend to grave-site

  • Burial in wrong grave-site

  • Vandalized or marred

  • Coroner negligence

  • Burying bodies in older graves to save space

  • Soiled, shabby clothing

  • Unlicensed embalmers

  • Lack of respect, foul language used in front of clients

  • Unauthorized picking-up of body from the hospital

  • Making false and misleading statements

In many cases, the relatives and loved ones are unaware of funeral home negligence but if this comes to your notice, speak to a personal injury lawyer immediately to begin the process of filing a personal injury suit.

How We Can Assist

While most of us entrust the task of managing funerals to reputed and reliable funeral homes, it’s possible that aberrations occur. It’s important that you report your concerns immediately to the funeral home authorities and simultaneously contact a personal injury attorney. Key evidence needs to be preserved and documentary proofs and photographic evidence has to be gathered. We can conduct independent investigations, get testimony from eye-witnesses (if any) and expert witnesses, etc to back your claim. We represent you in all communications/negotiations and ensure that your rights/interests are safeguarded.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)