Personal Injury and Litigation Blogs
After the Event Insurance (ATE) is Surging in Canada
Nudorra Capital is promoting the use of ATE Insurance products through a strategic relationship we have with a licensed Insurance Broker. The overwhelming advantages of costs, security, and protection, for both lawyer and plaintiff, speak for themselves. The most important attribute is that insurance companies are licensed and regulated, their capital is protected, and they have decades of global experience. The insurance product gives you Delegated Authority and courts are
Changes to Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Changes to ODSP are still unfolding In late November, the Ontario government announced it is changing its definition for people qualifying for disability assistance. They had already announced they were cutting the Liberals’ 3% increase in social assistance to 1.5%. Lisa MacLeod, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, said the current social assistance system puts users in a "cycle of dependency," making it difficult for people to find
Registered Disability Savings Plans Update
We wrote a well-received article in 2015 about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The RDSP gives disabled people and their families a way to save and invest money for long-term security. To qualify, the disabled beneficiary must be: Eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC); Under age 60; and A resident of Canada with a valid social insurance number. Anyone can contribute to an RDSP, including friends and
IBC Sponsors Report Questioning Contingency Fees
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 access to justice and other benefits to plaintiffs arising from
After The Event Insurance is STILL Available in Ontario!
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 are licensed and regulated, their capital is protected, and they
Is There a Future for MVA Cases in Ontario?
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 issues unfolding: Lower dollar amounts for victims at settlement/arbitration/judgement Significantly
When Insurers Merge, What Happens to Plaintiffs & Their Lawyers?
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 tied around acquisition activity,” in the words of CEO Karen
After The Event Insurance is Superior to Indemnity Contracts
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, their capital is protected, and they have decades of global
What is Mediation?
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 meetings, or mediation. Settlement discussions usually involve a lot of
Adverse Cost & Disbursement Protection for Personal Injury Cases
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 provide coverage to litigants who face paying costs to a
