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Lawyers

The Wisdom Of WSIB Fluent Paralegals

April 30, 2018 by Dev Leave a Comment

When you are injured at work and your claim comes in at much less than you’d anticipated – or even worse, is outright denied – you need to have a backup plan. If you’re not familiar with the WSIB, let us fill you in: the WSIB (Workplace Safety Insurance Board) is the branch of provincial government in Ontario that deals with assessing workplace injury claims and sending out compensation cheques. If you’ve never heard of the WSIB, congratulations, it means that you’ve managed to get this far without hurting yourself on the job.

If you are familiar with the WSIB – because you’re a naturally cautious person or because you’ve had to deal with them before – then you probably know that while the reach of its bureaucracy is ambitious, it does not always rule fairly, likely due to the fact that it is stretched thin by so many claims. Here at Goodman Elbassiouni LLP in Toronto and the GTA, we are here to support you when something goes wrong with your claim and you need to appeal. If you feel the WSIB has not assessed your case fairly, remember, you are not helpless, you need not simply accept what fate hands you and grin and bear, you have options. The best option, indeed, is to reach out to a personal injury law firm such as yours truly.

While our staff’s expertise is spread across three broad areas: slip and fall, WSIB law and automobile accidents, we handle a lot of WSIB cases and are bolstered by a strong staff of paralegals who have worked with the WSIB in the past, and thus, are familiar with the painstaking protocol and the fine print. If you’re looking for a really good workers compensation lawyer and the services of top WSIB experts, our law firm is second to none! Whether or not you feel you are in the right, you won’t get far unless you enlist the help of someone who knows the system inside out.

In the city of Toronto, Ontario, there is a tremendous amount of construction – condo and otherwise – going on at all times. Between all of the workers on all of the job sites, there are bound to be some injuries. Here on the Goodman Elbassiouni LLP blog, we’ve often written of prevention methods and proper safety training as a means to avoid injury. However, statistically speaking, a certain number of accidents and injuries is simply unavoidable. Thus, we take it upon ourselves to provide a service to injured workers in need when the system fails.

While you may be dubious of accepting help from a paralegal, rather a lawyer, you should reconsider. Paralegals also need to pass a rigorous exam before they can work at a law firm. Paralegals take on the brunt of the day-to-day work when we have a full caseload; they can be an inexhaustible source of knowledge concerning the minutiae of the WSIB.

If you’re hurt on the job and you need a good slip and fall lawyer in Toronto, call Goodman Elbassiouni LLP or fill out an assessment on our website today. Because we work on a contingency basis, we won’t charge you a cent until you have a satisfactory settlement. Don’t leave your fate to chance, call Goodman Elbassiouni LLP and fight for your right to fair compensation!

Filed Under: Blog, Lawyers

The Ontario Car Insurance Crisis

April 19, 2018 by Dev Leave a Comment

At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP in Toronto, Ontario, we’ve made no secret over the years of how we feel about car insurance rates in the province. Ontario’s car insurance rates are 55% higher than those in the rest of the country, which is completely ridiculous. Car owners pay an average of $1,500 per year, per car. If this wasn’t ridiculous enough, this rate is actually still going up and will soon reach $1,700 per year. While it is legal to purchase auto insurance, the amount that you will be compensated depends on the nature of the accident and also the subjective opinion of whomever is tasked with assessing the nature of the accident and establishing culpability.

Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits is the branch of provincial government responsible for deciding what sort of compensation you are eligible for above and beyond your insurance payout. The insurance payout should cover the fair market value for the necessary repairs. If your car is totaled, the insurance company should pay market price for the same model of car, with similar features and comparable mileage. Because you pay such a high insurance premium as an Ontario resident, you should make sure that you get fair value. As if your insurance wasn’t already expensive enough, it will increase after an accident, even if you were not responsible.

When you need a Toronto slip and fall lawyer or an automobile accident lawyer for your tort case,  Goodman Elbassiouni LLP should be at the top of your list. In the event of a car accident, you may experience physical or emotional trauma that requires specialist care. These kinds of bills can add up quickly, and depending on your medical coverage they can certainly add up quickly. Make sure to keep all of your receipts and keep meticulous notes when you are being treated so that you have ample evidence in the event that you go to court over your accident.

Other factors that may influence your tort case are: income statements, accident reports, witness testimony. If the other driver was at fault, make sure you get the contact information of anyone who clearly saw what happened: this can be the most decisive factor in the courtroom.

At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP, we understand that the time following a car accident can be very traumatic. Taking on all of the little details and chores of obtaining fair compensation can be strenuous, and while you may feel responsible to take this on, it is much better if you delegate to our expert services. You or a loved one can fill out a case assessment on our website, or set up a meeting in person at our offices.

The cost of living is high enough in Toronto without throwing a car crash into the mix. The culture of our city is extremely fast-paced and can be cut-throat, it can be difficult to take the proper time to heal after an accident and treat yourself right, but in the long run, it is the much better option.

If you’re already sweating your insurance bill and the high cost of living in Toronto and you end up getting in a car crash, reach out to a Toronto slip and fall lawyer and automobile accident lawyer at Goodman Elbassiouni LLP for help. Check back soon for more great legal advice!

Filed Under: Blog, Lawyers

Spring Thaw Slip And Fall Guide

April 11, 2018 by Dev Leave a Comment

Spring is a wonderful time of year. Trees and flowers are in bloom, the Frisbees are flying, the barbecues are heating up and all is well with the world – for the most part. If you’ve had a long, cold, stormy winter, such as the one we’ve had in Toronto this year, it means there will be a lot of snow melt and slippery ice around. With all of the beautiful trees and flowers to take in, you may not be focused on where you’re walking, and this can be very dangerous. At Goodman Elbassiouni LLP our number one priority is getting our clients fair compensation for their trauma and hardship, so if you take a nosedive on a patch of melting ice this spring season, call us immediately for a free consultation.

Slip and falls can certainly happen any time of year, and while here in Canada ice and snow are often the culprits, there are countless other legitimate factors that could lead to a slip and fall. Even if a property manager is shoveling and salting their walkways and stairs sufficiently, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re performing maintenance on the stairs and railings every few years to make sure they are safe. Our Toronto based slip and fall lawyers will be able to figure out pretty quickly whether or not you’re eligible for compensation, and what the limit of compensation might be, based on your description of the accident. If you’ve been hospitalized for the duration of your recovery, you could send a trusted friend or relative for the consultation, fill out an assessment form online, or simply give us a call!

Ontario’s Occupier’s Liability Act states that you have the right to pursue compensation if you sustain an injury on someone else’s property. Keep in mind, however, that the burden of proof is very high in these cases, so gathering as much evidence as possible and producing reliable witnesses is crucial. Because we specialize in slip and fall cases, we should be able to tell you whether or not to evidence you have gathered is sufficient to obtain the compensation you deserve.

In general, it is wise to wear shoes with very good tread until all of the snow and ice have completely melted and disappeared. You may be tempted to bust out your Chuck Taylors or Vans early this season when you see that shining sun, but trust us, it’s beneficial to wait for the streets to dry. Spring and summer are a terrible time to be stuck in the hospital or at home recovering from an injury.

Another point that’s important to keep in mind is that if you suffer a slip and fall related injury anywhere on the premises of your workplace, it may qualify as a WSIB or work-related injury. Much in the same way that an auto accident falls into WSIB jurisdiction if you are running an errand for your boss, there is also overlap with slip and falls. It’s your boss’ job to ensure that your workplace is clear of hazards, so don’t hesitate to file for compensation when you are hurt at work. If you need a workers compensation lawyer in Toronto and the GTA, Goodman Elbassiouni LLP should be number one on your contact list. Call us for a free consultation today!

Filed Under: Blog, Lawyers

Work Injury Checklist Part Two: Following Proper Protocol

March 29, 2018 by Dev Leave a Comment

In part one of this two-part series, we discussed some factors that are relevant to proper protocol in the wake of a workplace accident, some issues that may arise, and began discussing important steps to take to make sure that you aren’t hung out to dry when you get hurt at work. Primarily, we emphasized the importance of reporting your injury to your boss or manager – when you file a claim with the WSIB, your employer is obliged to file a report as well. This is standard procedure and there’s nothing to be afraid of. In our era of constantly sitting for hours with poor posture and clicking on computers, repetitive strain issues are extremely common, and while many folks are afraid they’ll be seen as weak if they report this type of injury. The truth is, RSI injuries are far more prevalent than you might think; they can really screw up your life if you don’t pursue therapy and time off work to rest. Goodman Elbassiouni LLP employs paralegals that have worked closely with the WSIB and our seasoned lawyers are expert at handling workplace injury claims – RSI related or otherwise.

To get back on track, and to the matter at hand, we’ll spend the rest of the post exploring essential protocol tips to ensure that when you file a claim with the WSIB, you get the compensation you deserve:

Keep a Journal

Keeping a journal is key because it helps keep dates and facts straight. This is especially important if your injury develops over time so that you have a clear sense of when it began and when it became a severe problem. The importance of seeing a doctor – which we mentioned in part one – goes hand in hand with the journal, since you’ll be able to cross-check the doctor’s notes with your own personal notes for maximum accuracy. Keeping a journal may also release some of the stress you’re feeling if you’re going through your ordeal alone, as well.

Consult Before You File

A lot of folks think that you should only consult with workers compensation lawyers in the event that your claim is rejected, but this is not necessarily so. Because we offer a free consultation for any prospective client, it’s in your interest to talk to one of our lawyers or paralegals before you file your report. This will not only help your chance of receiving your claim hassle-free, it will also mean that in the event that you need to appeal, you already have some sense of the process and problem followed all of the rules and fine print properly.

Let Your Family/ Friends Help You 

Even if you are an extremely independent spirit, the time following a work injury is no time to be stubborn and refuse help. It’s a relief to be able to delegate certain tasks to friends and family members who care about your health and well-being. You can even bring them to a meeting with our lawyers or have them on the line when you call so that they are fully in the loop and can take some of the weight off your shoulders. If you’re considering filing a claim with the WSIB, give us a call today and talk to one of expert lawyers or paralegals; Goodman Elbassiouni LLP is here to help!

 

Filed Under: Accident Lawer, Blog, Lawyers

Work Injury Checklist: Following Proper Protocol

March 21, 2018 by Dev Leave a Comment

If you follow our blog at all, or if you’ve ever researched the WSIB and worker’s compensation, then you know that obtaining compensation for your work injury is not exactly a straightforward process. Unfortunately, it is necessary to take a bit of precious time out of your schedule to learn about work injury protocol if you work a job that carries a high risk for injury. Even if you work an office job, this type of information can still prove to be valuable; surveys show that in the past half-century repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and back problems simply from sitting too much, have increased exponentially. In this secondary, subtler category of injury, you may feel timid about pursuing compensation – don’t; it’s your right as a citizen of Ontario to claim compensation, even for these more insidious injuries that manifest over time.

If you work in a warehouse or on a busy job site building condos and the like, you probably have some familiarity with the WSIB – whether it be personal or second hand, through a friend. But if you work in an office you may well never have thought about any of this stuff, however, the WSIB and WSIB lawyers such as ourselves exist for the benefit of everyone; office workers, construction workers and everything in between. So don’t be shy about claiming your compensation, no matter what field you work in. The bottom line is: if you’ve been hurt at work, you deserve the monetary compensation for therapy and rest time, end of story.

Now that we’ve got that straight, let’s spend the rest of this post looking at the basics of WSIB protocol and appeal protocol so that if you find yourself in a situation where you’ve been hurt at work, you know exactly what to do without hesitation. You can also call Goodman Elbassiouni LLP at any time for a free consultation if you’re worried about the legitimacy of your claim or if you’re feeling discouraged by the appeal process.

Inform Your Employer & File Your Claim

This is the scariest part for most people: if you are conscientious and sensitive it can be very stressful to inform your employer that you are filing a claim; they may get their back up and act like this a personal attack on them. There is, however, plenty of precedent in these cases and if you are genuinely in pain and discomfort you have nothing to worry about. A lot of the time, bosses and managers are not even up to date on WSIB policies and may not realize that they will not be asked to pay the compensation out of the company budget. If the system works, you will receive your claim through the WSIB. Unless your boss has contributed to an untoward or unsafe environment, they shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Talk To Your Doctor

When you are hurt at work, go and see your doctor immediately. They will be able to diagnose you and gather information that may be pertinent to your claim and perhaps your appeal. Having this information ready in an organized, professional way will help your chances immeasurably.

While our blog and website have a good amount of info to help familiarize yourself with WSIB law and protocol, you can also contact us today if you’re feeling confused or need a little advice. Consultations are free and we work on a contingency basis, so there’s no harm in reaching out!

Filed Under: Accident Lawer, Blog, Lawyers

Slip & Fall Injury Checklist: Following Proper Protocol

March 12, 2018 by Dev Leave a Comment

While climate change has shifted the way North American winters feel – sometimes providing weeks that feel more like spring than winter – we mustn’t let our guard down too much in these short, anomalous bursts. We’re still in for several more weeks of slippery, freezing cold weather, and because of all the warm weather, we may experience rain followed by freezing temperatures (as we’ve seen here in Toronto a couple of times this winter). Rainstorms followed by plummeting temperatures make the roads and sidewalks into a total nightmare that can threaten your physical health. If you find yourself badly hurt because a property owner didn’t take care to shovel or salt their walk, hire our slip and fall lawyers to work for you and claim your compensation!

You may experience some pangs of guilt if you decide to claim compensation in the wake of a slip and fall, but you shouldn’t. Ontario’s Occupier’s Liability Act is very clearly worded to indicate that if a public property is not well maintained and leads to injuries, the injured party is well within their rights to claim compensation for trauma and rehabilitation. We’ve dealt with hundreds of slip and fall cases in the past and we can tell you: it’s usually pretty clear in these cases that the landlord or property manager in question was not taking the proper measures to safely clear the walk.

Typical examples of liable parties are:

Property Manager

A Private Homeowner

Mall Manager

Hotel Manager

Apartment Owner

A huge part of these people’s jobs and responsibilities revolve around providing a comfortable and safe environment for tenants and visitors. If you are hurt on the property of a retail outlet because it wasn’t properly salted, it is particularly objectionable; customer experience certainly extends to the parking lot and the walkway out front. To neglect shoveling and salting is very poor customer service and dangerous, to boot! Another examples of negligent behaviour is the failure to indicate or dry up after an area has been mopped. The able-bodied often tend to forget that children, the elderly and folks suffering from physical maladies may be shopping and can slip much easier than some of us since their balance is compromised. The experts at Goodman Elbassiouni LLP have years of experience and indispensable, useful legal resources that can help you claim your compensation when you are affronted by a slip and fall due to poor property maintenance.

Lawyers at Goodman Elbassiouni LLP operate on a contingency basis, so we never get paid until you do. Thus, even if you’ve just had an accident and you’re unsure of how to proceed, you can book a free consultation with us and speak to a lawyer or paralegal who is versed in the protocol and the facts. Just remember, the sooner you file your claim with the OLA (Occupier’s Liability Act), the better your chances will be. Furthermore, getting the details down and talking to your doctor while the injury is still new is always in your best interest, since you will be able to provide the most vivid, compelling argument. Although you have up to two years to file after a slip and fall, the longer you wait the more complicated the process may become.

Filed Under: Accident Lawer, Blog, Lawyers

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    Goodman Elbassiouni LLP specializes in WSIB claims, slip and fall claims and claims stemming from motor vehicle accidents all across Ontario. If you or a loved one have been injured, contact our offices today for a FREE initial consultation and a member of our legal team will speak with you directly. Remember there are time limits on claims in Ontario – so the sooner you act, the more likely your rights will be protected. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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