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Monthly Archives: April 2014

Toronto Sidewalk Slip and Fall: Aggressive Summary Judgment Motion by Contractor Against City Fails

In a slip and fall case against a city / municipality in Ontario, there is a difficult standard of care for plaintiffs to prove against the City in respect of the gross negligence standard. It is typical for a plaintiff to sue both the City and the actual contractor company hired by the City to perform the snow and ice clearing work.

In a recent decision, an interesting case whereby the plaintiff chose not to sue the contractor, thereby leaving it to the City to commence a Third Party Claim against the contractor.… Continue Reading

Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipalities: Challenge Averted

The MMS has been the subject of attack by the plaintiff’s Bar and this application was one attempt to obtain a Court decision on the enforceability of some of those provisions: Silveira v. Ontario (Transportation), 2014 ONSC 65 (CanLII).

The MMS law sets out the legal responsibilities of municipalities for such issues as snow clearing, fixing potholes and other issues: Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipalities Act 2002 and 2010.

In this application, the attack was on the ability of the municipality to use the MMS to defend against a car accident which occurred during the winter, in which snow and ice is alleged to have caused and/or contributed to the accident.… Continue Reading

Settle Out of Court for $80,000; Fight in Court Over $1400

Litigation arising from a motor vehicle accident tends to be difficult for all parties involved, particularly with the stress of a lawsuit ‘hanging’ over your life. Sometimes you just wish that the other side would ‘see the light’, be reasonable and agree to resolve the lawsuit.

In some instances, litigation becomes fairly heated between the parties and counsel involved, so that both sides are simply not prepared to negotiate or compromise any further. The limit has been reached and there is no sense in more discussion.… Continue Reading

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