Insurance

Our Group

We understand the mechanics of insurance – the need to assess and manage risk and deal with it effectively when claims arise.

Our Insurance Group is one of the largest independent insurance practices in Canada, offering a full range of services to brokers, insurers, captive companies and re-insurers, as well as self-administering deductible programs.

Our insurance practice represents a wide variety of insurers in the defence of claims throughout the country and internationally (for example, defending aviation liability claims, architectural disputes, property claims and personal injury liability matters).

Our lawyers have developed practices focusing on specific areas of insurance law, including property and casualty claims, coverage claims, automobile liability, damages and accident benefits claims, aviation claims, commercial and social host liability claims, life and disability insurance, surety and bonding, construction litigation, oil and gas or energy risks, errors and omissions liability and claims involving a variety of professionals including lawyers, engineers, architects, health practitioners, dentists, real estate agents and brokers and accountants.

Our lawyers have additional areas of expertise in defending liability claims arising from products and municipal liability — for example, in respect of road maintenance and design as well as the defence of public officials.

REPRESENTATIVE TRANSACTIONS

We handle a variety of insurance litigation matters for numerous insurance carriers. Examples include:

Road Maintenance and Design Liability: We represent Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation throughout the province in the defence of road liability claims arising from alleged negligence both in respect of road design and maintenance. The lawyers within this sub-specialty group of our insurance practice team have been representing the Ministry for more than 40 years and have great knowledge and depth with respect to all aspects of road liability claims.

Products Liability: Our lawyers regularly represent insurers in the defence of product liability claims. These claims involve damages associated with significant personal injury and property damage. For example, one lawyer is involved in representing an animal feed manufacturer in the defence of a claim seeking a multi-million dollar damage award relating to alleged deficiencies and contamination in a pig feed product. Additionally, our lawyers have been involved in the defence of product liability claims arising from toxic shock.

Construction Claims: Our lawyers have represented insurers in the defence of errors and omissions claims made against architects, engineers and construction contractors. For example, we have been involved in substantial litigation relating to defective condominium apartment buildings allegedly arising from negligence on the part of engineers, architects and contractors. Our lawyers have also been involved in the defence of subsidence claims.

Professional Negligence: Our lawyers regularly represent all areas of professional negligence defence, including architects, engineers, real estate agents, appraisers, brokers, medical professionals and accountants. We specialise in the defence of errors and omissions claims made against professionals of all types. One lawyer is involved in representing a brokerage firm in the defence of a multi million dollar negligence claim which also involves alleged negligence on the part of a bank connected with the financing of the development of two large pieces of commercial property.

Personal Injury Claims: A prominent area of our insurance practice involves the defence of personal injury claims through tort actions and accident benefits claims. Several of our lawyers were successful in resolving a large and complex conspiracy action involving a number of insurers. The size of our Group enables us to provide service in insurance matters with lawyers who have particular expertise in the area needed. In addition, with the resources of a full service firm behind our group, we are able to draw upon additional expertise when necessary.

Lawyers within our Group have been involved in the handling of insurance claims for more than 30 years. In keeping with the Group’s philosophy, we have developed expertise in a wide variety of areas to best service the needs of our insurance clients. When retained, the responsible lawyer for the client ensures matters are assigned to the appropriate lawyer so that that the client’s needs are specifically met at the most economical level.

With its long-standing experience, our Group is able to provide service which is efficient, cost-effective and timely. Our lawyers have the background to understand the issues and the clients’ concerns quickly, and to focus on providing a solution that best meets the clients’ needs.