The Financial Post just reported the findings of a recent study funded by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (“Law professor questions whether contingency fees benefit clients”, Legal Post, January 18 2017). Professor Allan Hutchinson of York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School wrote A Study of the Costs of Legal Services in Personal Injury Litigation in Ontario. Professor Hutchinson acknowledged the
Due to a recent decision by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, some indemnity contracts are no longer available. Nudorra Capital is promoting the use of ATE Insurance products through a strategic relationship we have with an Insurance Broker. The overwhelming advantages of costs, security, and protection, for both lawyer and plaintiff, speak for themselves. THE BOTTOM LINE: Insurance companies
As we reported in June 2015, pending changes to the standard benefits that auto insurers must offer means significant reductions in motorists’ accident benefits. This continues a government push since 2010 to reduce premiums by 15%. (Premiums did fall by 7% to 10% but seem unlikely to decrease beyond this.) Personal injury lawyers who represent plaintiffs see a range of
Recently, RBC announced it was selling its General Insurance company to Aviva for $582 million. This happened a few months after Desjardins acquired State Farm’s Canadian business, making them #3 in the industry, after Intact and Aviva. And not many years ago, Intact acquired AXA’s business. In addition, Economical is looking to demutualize, to raise funds which will “likely be
Across Ontario, Insurance and Indemnity companies are approaching lawyers for business. These products have some basic similarities. This has bred a lot of confusion about these products – lawyers (and even judges) have mistakenly used the term “insurance” to describe an indemnity product. THE BOTTOM LINE: Insurance policies have distinct advantages over Indemnity contracts. Insurance companies are licensed and regulated,
Most people are surprised to learn that the majority of personal injury cases never go to trial. The courts are backed up. Trials are risky and expensive. In fact, 90% of injury cases in Ontario settle before they go to trial; only about 2% of civil suits are tried in court. The alternatives to a trial include settlement discussions and
There is a fair degree of confusion around new legal insurance and indemnity products in Ontario. We researched the histories of these products, companies offering them in Ontario, and articles written by and about them. We also interviewed several prominent personal injury lawyers in Ontario. Adverse cost coverage is also known as “legal costs protection”. The products on the market
People are sometimes confused about what a Paralegal does, and how they differ from lawyers. In fact, many paralegals work alongside lawyers, on all types of cases. Paralegals work in courthouses, government offices, lawyers’ offices, and legal clinics. Paralegals can handle Small Claims Court civil suits, such as personal injury and disability cases, up to $25,000, including slip & fall.
The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) gives disabled adults, or the parents of disabled children, an easy and effective way to save and invest money for long-term security and peace of mind. Disabled people often have challenges finding a job, and often earn lower wages when they are working. Money invested in a RDSP grows tax-free, and you could qualify
Theresa Tosh is a Vice-President and Certified Financial Planner at TD Wealth. John Osborne is a Chartered Investment Manager and Certified International Wealth Manager with Wise Advisory Group in Oakville. The Disability Tax Credit Theresa’s #1 piece of advice: Apply for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) as soon as possible. The DTC reduces your income tax. It can be worth
