Thursday, June 28, 2012

What are Contingency Fee Retainers? Ottawa Injury and Accident Lawyers Explain!

Contingency Fee Retainers and Ottawa Injury and Accident Lawyers When you’ve suffered a personal injury, your ability to earn income is often negatively affected. The last thing you need to worry about when injured and can’t work is whether you have enough money to pay your bills and support your family. An injury can make it difficult, if not impossible, to complete even the smallest usual everyday activities, let alone work. In many cases, injured persons are reluctant to call a personal injury lawyer to learn what their legal options are because they are afraid of having to pay costly legal fees. At our law firm, you need not worry about that! At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, Ottawa Injury Lawyers, we understand how stressful it is to suffer an injury or injuries and that it can be intimidating to call a personal injury lawyer to discuss your rights and interests and learn about your legal options. Therefore, our consultations are free and, if you hire us, we work on a contingency fee retainer basis, meaning we do not charge a fee until we win your case. If we don’t win (that rarely happens), we charge you nothing. There are many personal injury lawyers in Ontario who will work on a contingency basis for people who have suffered serious personal injuries. A contingency fee retainer allows you to retain the legal services of a lawyer without having to pay any money up front. When the case is settled, the lawyer will take a portion of the settlement as payment for their fees. A contingency fee retainer gives the personal injury lawyer a financial interest in the outcome of the case. The more you get paid, the more your lawyer is paid. That is excellent incentive for your lawyer to work hard to get the most they can for you. In Ontario, lawyers are allowed by law to charge a percentage of the recovery in personal injury cases. However, not all contingency fee retainers are the same and lawyers charge different percentage, usually ranging from 25% to 50% of the recovery. We find that most charge 30% of the recovery. We charge 30% of the recovery. Our lawyers are experienced and focus their practice almost entirely on personal injury and litigation cases. We are considered one of Ontario’s finest personal injury law boutique law firms. A contingency fee retainer is a great asset for personal injury victims because it allows them access to justice and access to experienced personal injury lawyers. If you have been injured and need help, please contact one of the personal injury lawyers at Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki for a free consultation. Call us at 613-315-4878.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Ottawa accident lawyers - protection of privacy versus right to information in injury cases

Ottawa Accident Lawyers - Privacy versus Access to Information Why do I need to sign directions to release information and documents to my lawyer? At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, after helping our clients with thousands of claims, we have come to notice that many of our new clients have very similar questions about the ins and outs of starting a claim and bringing it to a successful conclusion. One of the questions that we are often asked by new clients is ‘What is a direction and why do I need to sign them? ‘ In Ontario, every person has a right to privacy. Therefore, in order for your personal injury lawyer to access records kept about you by other people, your lawyer needs you to sign a direction directed to those other persons allowing them to share their files with or speak with your accident lawyer. Think of a direction form as a permission slip. A signed direction is your way of giving permission to third parties such as Revenue Canada and your doctors to share information with us about you and your legal matter. Directions, sometimes also called authorizations allow your personal injury lawyer to contact third parties to obtain the information they need to help advance your injury claim and prove certain elements of your claim such as loss of income or your injuries. There are many different types of directions because there are many different pieces of information that your personal injury lawyer will need to get you the best settlement possible. Some directions are very general and others are very specific to the type of information that is being requested. One of the most common and essential directions is an OHIP direction. OHIP keeps a detailed record of every time you visit a doctor, hospital or use an OHIP covered service. This record is called a decoded OHIP summary. A decoded OHIP summary allows your personal injury lawyer to find all the doctors, clinics and hospitals that you’ve visited in the last 7 years which makes requesting medical documents much easier. An original signed copy of the OHIP direction is always required to obtain these records and photocopies or fax copies are often not accepted. This helps protect your privacy. Requesting medical documents from your doctors or records from your insurance company is one of the first steps that we take when opening a new file. Medical or other records of your injuries go a long way to validating your claim to an insurance company. Directions are required to obtain all sorts of information that your personal injury lawyer will need to pursue a claim including: • Employment records ; • Medical records; • Police records; • Government documents ; • Income tax documents ; • Insurance records; and • School records. This list is only a sample. As you can see, the number of documents that your personal injury lawyer may need is extensive. Each of these requests requires your authorization and as such when you are beginning your claim there are a number of directions for you to sign. As well, throughout the process of litigation updated records or new records may be required which may require additional authorizations be signed. Although signing all these directions may leave your hand a little tired, they allow your personal injury lawyer to get to work and start advancing your injury claim. At QTMG we strive to provide our clients with the best possible outcomes and settlements for their personal injury claims. If you have suffered a personal injury, our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to help you. Please contact us for a free consultation at 613-315-4878. No fee until we settle.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Ottawa Car Accident Tips - Ottawa injury lawyer provides tips to car accident victims - Ottawa car accident news

Ottawa Car Accidents - Tips from an experienced Ottawa personal injury lawyer We all know someone who has been involved in a car accident. It is likely that one out of every four persons you know has been involved in a car accident. Like most accidents, car accidents are preventable and many people are needlessly seriously injured every day because of negligent, careless drivers and worse, drunk drivers. There seems to be a rise in car accidents resulting from distracted drivers, using cell phones, texting or other electronic devices while driving. The range of injuries suffered due to car accidents is wide and include physical, emotional and psychological injuries. In many cases, the emotional and psychological effects of car accidents last long after the physical injuries have healed. Often the physical injuries are long lasting, debilitating and permanent. Some cases result in catastrophic injuries. After a car accident, regardless of fault, you need to protect your interests and rights. Here are some tips of what to do if you or someone you love is involved in a car accident in Ottawa: 1. Call 911. There is usually someone injured and in need of medical attention. 2. Obtain the names and contact particulars of any witnesses. 3. Write down a description of those witnesses. 4. Take photos of the scene of the accident and people surrounding it; many cell phones now have built in cameras. 5. Obtain the names and contact information of the others involved in the car accident. 6. Obtain the insurance information from the others involved in the car accident. 7. Write down what you recall from the accident. Memory fades with time. 8. Report the accident to your own motor vehicle insurer. 9. Do not speak to any insurance adjuster (even your own) before obtaining legal advice from an Ottawa personal injury lawyer. In Ontario, regardless of fault, every person involved in a car accident has the right to claim accident benefits - this is our no-fault system. Persons injured in car accidents in Ottawa and throughout Ontario may also have the right to claim compensation above and beyond accident benefits, in what is called a tort claim or tort action. Dealing with insurance companies is often intimidating and insurers may not be acting in your best interests. Only an experienced Ottawa car accident lawyer can protect your interests. Car accident laws are extremely complex and our Ottawa car accident lawyers can explain your rights to you. Consultations are free and our Ottawa injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee until you win or settle your case. Call us for a free consultation at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki, LLP, Ottawa injury and car accident lawyers. Offering free car accident case assessments. Visit us at www.ottawapersonalinjurylawyernetwork.com

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Best Ottawa Injury Lawyers - Car Accident Lawyers

Ottawa Pedestrian Car Accidents A few days ago, an Ottawa man was critically injured when he was struck by a taxi in the east end of Ottawa. As a result of the car accident, he was seriously injured including fractures to his leg and arm. He also sustained a head injury. He was transported to the Ottawa Hospital in critical condition. At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, Ottawa car accident lawyers, we represent car accident victims every day and help our clients obtain fair compensation. We work on contingency fee arrangements and don't charge until we win the case. As a car accident victim, you have rights. You likely have a personal injury claim for compensation against the driver of the motor vehicle that hit you. Often, car accidents occur simply because the driver failed to see the pedestrian or other vehicle, sometimes it is due to driver inattention, negligence or recklessness. In some cases, motorists negligently or recklessly drive onto sidewalks and strike pedestrians. Accidents can happen because of many reasons. Whatever the cause, victims of car accidents are entitled to accident benefits to pay of medical and rehabilitation expenses, as well as other expenses. In order to be compensated fully under the law, there are many steps to take to prove the elements of your case. Only an experienced car accident lawyer can handle these steps effectively. The lawyers of Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP specialize in all motor vehicle accident cases including pedestrian car accident cases. Most cases a settled out of court. They act for injured pedestrians every day. If you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident, we welcome you to schedule your free consultation with us today by calling us at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. Our lawyers are experienced and trained in all aspects of handling a car accident case. We take all the steps necessary to build your accident case. We conduct fact gathering, document preparation, liability assessment, organize medical evaluations and treatment, and obtain necessary medical and expert opinions. If you want to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer today at no cost to you about your personal injury - car accident claim, call us at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. Our lawyers work on the basis of no fee until you win. This gives all victims access to experienced personal injury lawyers.

Ottawa Car Accident Lawyers - SUV Accident in Ottawa leaves girl and mother injured at Ottawa Trainyards

Ottawa Car Accident Lawyers - SUV Accident in Ottawa leaves girl and mother injured at Ottawa Trainyards Ottawa news reports that a woman and her 2 children were involved in an accident at the Ottawa trainyards involving their SUV. It appears that the driver was transported to the hospital and treated. The report also states that a 12 year old girl was also injured and lost concsiousness. She was also treated. In some cases, people suffer injuries in car acidents and SUV accidents with no obvious visible signs of injury. There are many injuries that do not appear right away after an accident. Soft tissue injuries often don't show signs (such as bruising) until many days after the Ottawa car accident. Similarly, back injuries are often only revealed days after a car accident once swelling has set in. Our Ottawa Injury and Accident Lawyer Blog is written regularly by the lawyers of our Ottawa injury law firm - Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP. As a personal injury law blog, our local blog it reports on issues relating to injuries and accidents in Ontario and focusses on accident and personal injury issues. It also reports on local Ottawa news. Our blog deals with issues affecting persons injured in various accidents in the greater Ottawa area and throughout Ontario. Visit us at www.ottawapersonalinjurylawyernetwork.com. Call us for a free consultation at 613-563-1131 or 613-315-4878.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) when involved in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle - Ottawa Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) when involved in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle - Ottawa Bicycle Accident Lawyers In most cases, drivers of motor vehicles simply do not see cyclists and inevitably accidents between motor vehicles and cyclists occur all too frequently. In other cases, drivers of motor vehicles simply drive without regard to the rights of cyclists and therefore expose them to harm. Given the physical exposure cyclists have, when involved in motor vehicle accidents the results can be traumatic and include serious injuries such as fractures, brain injuries, head injuries and spinal cord injuries. While the Highway Traffic Act affords cyclists some protection when it comes to fault, it affords no real protection in terms of compensation. Under the provisions of the Insurance Act however, cyclists who are injured as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle are entitled to certain stated benefits. Regardless of whether the accident is found to be the fault of the cyclist or the driver of the motor vehicle, the cyclist will be entitled to significant accident benefits including income loss, medical treatment and rehabilitation care which are all included as benefits under the statutory accident benefits. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, you are entitled to statutory accident benefits including: supplementary medical benefits and rehabilitation benefits, attended to care benefits, weekly income replacement benefits, funeral and death benefits, non-earner benefits and the care giver benefits. As bicycle accident lawyers, we can assist you in the process of obtaining statutory accident benefits and, if the driver the motor vehicle is at fault for the accident, claim compensation from the driver such as damages for pain and suffering and any expenses not covered by the statutory accident benefits schedule. If you or someone you care about has been involved in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, contact one of our lawyers free of charge for a free consultation. Call us at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. Our lawyers work on the basis of a contingency fee which means that you will not be charged a fee unless our lawyers obtain compensation for you. Our lawyers only paid if you receive compensation. Contact Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. Ottawa bicycle accident lawyers.