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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Ottawa snowmobile accident lawyers - complex snowmobile and car accident cases require experienced injury lawyers

Ottawa snowmobile lawyers – Complexities of snowmobile accident claims

Snowmobiles are very fun winter recreational vehicles. Snowmobiles are heavy motorized vehicles and can cause serious personal injury. Under Ontario personal injury laws, the accident benefits available for snowmobile accident victims are very similar to those of any other type of motor vehicle accident. Given the heaviness of snowmobiles, openness of ride and the speeds they reach, snowmobile accidents can often result in very serious or catastrophic injury. In some cases, they cause permanent disability or death.

In Ontario, snowmobile accident victims and their family members can claim compensation for their losses from their own car insurance company (under what is called No-Fault Accident benefits) and from the person responsible for the collision in what is called a Tort Claim.

Your car insurer is obligated to pay no-fault accident benefits compensating you for such things as loss of income, expenses relating to others assisting an injured person with completing household maintenance and expenses related to self-care activities. The insurer, under no-fault law, must also pay for all necessary medical services and rehabilitation; if necessary to limits prescribed in the policy of insurance. Benefits are paid pursuant to an application by the injured person and there are time-lines by which applications must be provided to the insurer; there are consequences to not meeting time lines.

At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, we have handled many cases where the insurance companies have denied benefits that they are legally and contractually obligated to pay their injured clients. You are entitled to dispute the insurer’s refusal to pay your benefits. Different levels of benefits are available to snowmobile injury victims, depending upon the type of injury and impairments. The process of obtaining accident benefits and claiming damages in a tort claim is complicated and requires careful and experienced analysis by an experienced personal injury lawyer who has experience dealing with snowmobile accident cases.

In a tort claim, you may claim compensation from the person responsible for the collision. The compensation paid under a tort claim is normally paid by the responsible person’s insurer (other driver for instance). In Ontario, injury victims who suffer serious and permanent injuries can recover damages compensating them for their losses, including their pain and suffering, their past and future lost income, their extraordinary future health care and home maintenance costs, their out of pocket expenses, interest and legal costs.

There are time limits which govern when an injured person must notify their own insurer of a claim, notify the responsible parties that they intend to bring a claim. There are also time limits by which an injured person must commence a court case seeking compensation, otherwise they may forever lose their right to bring court action and seek compensation. These time limits can restrict or eliminate an injured person's right to recover damages and compensation.

Whether a person has the right to commence a court action against another person in snowmobile cases is a complicated issue. Liability must be assessed by an accident lawyer. Our experienced personal injury and accident lawyers in Ottawa can properly assess all the issues in a snowmobile case such as liability, proper persons to seek compensation from, insurance coverage issues and the value of your snowmobile accident claim.

At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, we understand the complexities of snowmobile accidents and the profound affects injuries sustained in snowmobile accidents may have on the injured person and their family. Our team of experienced and dedicated injury lawyers is dedicated to assisting persons injured in snowmobile accidents. They know how to deal effectively with the Ontario insurance and litigation systems in order to obtain maximum compensation. Our lawyers represent injury victims throughout southeastern Ontario.

We have represented clients injured in many types of vehicle accidents. Snowmobile riders can suffer serious and permanent injuries as a result of accidents which occur because of:

Negligent operation
Reckless driving
Defective machinery or failed safety equipment
Environmental hazards
Hidden obstructions
Thin ice
Low-hanging branches
Electrical wires
Poorly maintained trails
Drunk driving
Failure to yield right of way
Rear-end collisions
Side-swipe accidents
Failure to check blind spots
Misjudging speed
Dangerous trail or road crossing conditions
Etc...

Snowmobile riders who are physically exposed (there is no metal surroundings like a car for instance) are at a greater risk of sustaining significant injuries such as traumatic brain injury, head injury, back injury, fractures, internal injuries, chronic pain, spinal cord injury or paralysis. The injuries sustained can often require expensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

At Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP, we focus our law practice entirely on personal injury and accident law. We assess every case very carefully in order to identify all possible damages options so that our clients recover all types of damages necessary to adequately and fairly compensate them for their injuries.

Our lawyers will take every step necessary to avoid trial and negotiate with insurance companies on behalf of injured persons so that they obtain all benefits and compensation they deserve.

However, we prepare each case as if they are going to trial; that way, if the case does not settle (95% of all cases do settle however), we are prepared for trial. We have a vast network of medical and non-medical experts such as physicians, surgeons, neurologists, accident reconstruction specialists, occupational therapists, health care professionals, economists, accountants, actuarial experts and others, with whom we will consult to determine the full extent of your injuries and assess the full extent of your damages.

If you have sustained an injury as a result of a snowmobile accident, even if you were at fault or partly at fault, it is still worthwhile to consult with an experienced Ottawa personal injury lawyer. You are entitled to accident benefits under your own insurance policy to handle medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses and other economic losses.

Contact us for a free consultation at 613-315-4878 or 613-563-1131. One of our Ottawa snowmobile accident lawyers will be glad to answer any of your questions and discuss our contingency fee arrangement which provides that we do not charge any fees unless we win your case.