If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident for which you were not at fault, you may be entitled to money for pain and suffering, lost wages, lost opportunity, housekeeping assistance, delayed schooling, delayed entry into the workforce, medical and rehabilitation expenses, and any other expenses not paid for by other insurers. In Ontario, there is compulsory automobile insurance, which means that the at-fault driver’s insurance may be responsible to pay any claims related to the negligence of the driver that hit you. The team at Longo Lawyers has vast experience dealing with such complex auto accident claims and a strong reputation for getting results. We can ensure that your claim is dealt with professionally and assist you in obtaining every dollar you are entitled to.

Contact Longo Lawyers.

Every individual in the Province of Ontario that is involved in a motor vehicle accident is entitled to accident benefits which could include weekly lost income benefits (IRBs), medical and rehabilitation benefits, personal care benefits (Attendant Care), non-earner benefits, lost tuition, and other various benefits. These benefits are available even if you are at fault for the accident. It is your right to speak to a lawyer and ensure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to and that you paid for prior to the accident. No-fault benefits are governed by statute, which means that you may be entitled to benefits by law. It is important to know what benefits you are entitled to and how to access your benefits if your insurance company denies you.

ACCIDENT BENEFITS: CRITICAL TIMELINES
In general, you have:

7 days to notify your insurer of your intention to apply for accident benefits
30 days to submit your Accident Benefits Application Package
2 years from a denial or reduction of a benefit to challenge an insurer’s decision

MINOR INJURY GUIDELINES (MIG)

Your insurance company may notify you that you only have access to $3,500.00 for all of your medical and rehabilitation treatment needs. Determining the funding available for medical treatment is not ultimately left to your insurance company and is a question of law that can be challenged at the Licence Appeal Tribunal. Despite the opinion of an insurance company, you may be entitled to medical and rehabilitation benefits of $65,000.00 or up to $2,000,000.00 if you meet the legal test of catastrophic impairment. If you are seriously injured and your injuries prevent you from returning to work and your insurance company has informed you that your injuries fall with the Minor Injury Guideline (MIG), contact Longo Lawyers for more information.

CATASTROPHIC IMPAIRMENT (CAT)

In some cases, a person’s physical and/or psychological injuries from an accident are classified as catastrophic. If your injury is classified as a catastrophic impairment, you will have access to significantly greater funding for your medical, rehabilitation and attendant care needs. Depending upon the date of your accident, you may be entitled to $1,000,000.00 or $2,000,000.00 in funding instead of $65,000. If you have been seriously injured and have not returned to work, let us meet with you and provide an opinion as to whether you are catastrophically injured. “Catastrophic impairment” is nothing more than a legal test and definition. Many individuals mistakenly believe they would have to have suffered amputations, serious brain injuries or serious spinal cord injuries to meet the definition of “catastrophic impairment”. It is simply untrue. Don’t let the word “catastrophic” lead you to the conclusion that you are not entitled to enhanced benefits when you may be entitled to those benefits. Fabio Longo and his team of accident benefits lawyers are recognized within the legal and medical professions for their work in the area of catastrophic impairment. For the last several years, Fabio has been a member of the teaching faculty of Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators, which provides the industry leading certification programming for medical assessors hired to determine if an individual has suffered catastrophic impairment. Fabio lectures medical assessors who are routinely hired by both lawyers and insurance companies to determine if an individual meets the legal test of catastrophic impairment. In addition to teaching the subject, Fabio has earned a great deal of experience trying these very cases. Through the course of several arbitrations involving catastrophic impairment and the AMA Guides, Fabio and his accident benefits legal team have established a strong litigation track record and very specialized knowledge in the area of catastrophic impairment. One of the leading cases defining catastrophic impairment for individuals that suffer psychological and chronic pain injuries was successfully argued by Fabio Longo, making catastrophic benefits more accessible to claimants. If you remain off work and you suffer from physical and psychological injuries, contact Longo Lawyers for more information.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur as a result of a motor vehicle crash, trauma from a fall, a sports injury, medical negligence or a stroke. You may be entitled to compensation. In addition, you may be in need of prompt medical rehabilitation.

Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to severe. Depending upon your individual medical circumstances, the impact of an acquired brain injury may vary. In some situations, the traumatic brain injury may result in the need for life-long medical attention and financial support. This may lead to an inability to work, care for yourself and/or your family, attend to your home or enjoy life the way you are used to.

An acquired brain injury can occur by striking your skull as a result of an accident, sudden changes in velocity or by medical negligence including procedures that deprive the brain of oxygen, or changes in medication resulting in an avoidable stroke. If you have suffered an acquired brain injury as a result of someone’s negligence, contact Longo Lawyers.

During the summer months, our waterways become increasingly crowded. A lot of accidents occur as a result of alcohol consumption and carelessness of inexperienced operators of watercrafts. In Ontario, victims of boating accidents can recover compensation from either the operator or the owner of the boat. Navigating the waters of boating accident regulations is complex – experienced legal assistance is essential for compensation.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a boating accident, contact Longo Lawyers and schedule your FREE CONSULTATION.

The needs of the child are always the top priority for any decision pertaining to children’s medical needs that arise as a result of injury. Injuries can happen with school trips, car accidents, birth trauma, faulty equipment, swimming pool accidents, defective car seats, toys, and other children’s products. Consequences of a child’s injury may cause permanent changes that impact the future opportunities and independence of the child, requiring full time care that impacts the ability of parents to go to work. Restoring the quality of life for the injured child and their family for the future is paramount. If severe, parents may be required to juggle workplace responsibilities, financial losses, home modifications, pediatric specialists, rehabilitation and medical treatments, daily medication and the future care costs for the child.

Children’s injuries can also arise as a result of bullying and cyberbullying, theme park accidents, swimming pool accidents, playground accidents, sporting facility accidents, motor vehicle accidents, trampoline accidents, school injuries and ski injuries.

Some private sporting facilities or clubs may require parents to sign liability waiver forms which could give parents the mistaken belief that  they are not entitled to make a claim for their child's injuries caused by negligence. In fact, one of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, “does my child have a claim if I signed a waiver”? In most cases, the answer is absolutely YES the child has a claim against the negligent party despite the waiver. Notwithstanding waivers signed on behalf of children, your child may still have a legal right to pursue a claim against a club or sporting facility which negligently caused injury.

If your child has been seriously injured, it is extremely important to secure legal representation that has significant experience in dealing with pediatric claims. Longo Lawyers is proud to support the Hospital for Sick Children.

If you or someone you know has a child that has suffered an injury, contact Longo Lawyers and schedule a FREE INITIAL PHONE CONSULTATION.

Chronic Pain is real and can be disabling. Because the cause cannot be explained with an x-ray or MRI, it is sometimes dismissed by insurance companies. Medical conditions such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain are medical conditions that have been explicitly rejected by some doctors and insurance companies. If your chronic pain prevents you from working and your LTD insurance has denied your claim for pay benefits, Contact the lawyers that understand Chronic Pain at Longo Lawyers.

Few cities in Canada have embraced walking and cycling more than Toronto. Commuting by bike is growing exponentially. Unfortunately, many drivers do not exercise caution when sharing the road in a big city. Speeding, distracted driving and careless driving can cause serious injuries when accidents involve vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrians and cyclists who are involved in accidents with motor vehicles tend to suffer serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries – and sometimes death. Determining who is at fault can be challenging. Whether it is necessary to retain the very best forensic engineers or experts in biomechanical injuries, the lawyers at Longo Lawyers are equipped to successfully advocate your case. Contact Longo Lawyers.

Sometimes dogs bite causing serious injury to an individual. Every year, countless people are injured as a result of dog bites and attacks. Some are very serious, causing years of fear of animals, physical pain, and in some cases, serious scarring and disfigurement. In Ontario, the Dog Owners Liability Act makes dog owners liable for victim compensation.

Anyone bitten or attacked by a dog should immediately:

• seek medical attention
• ensure the dog has had all the necessary shots by asking the owner and obtaining proof from the veterinarian who administered the vaccines
• obtain the name and address of the owner of the dog
• take photographs of the injured area
• keep all bills, receipts and other evidence of expenses arising from the attack

If you or someone you know has been injured or psychologically traumatized as the result of a dog bite/attack, contact Longo Lawyers and schedule your FREE INITIAL PHONE CONSULTATION.

For motorcycle enthusiasts, taking to the open road is the joy of the ride. Accidents can happen at any moment when sharing the road with other automobiles. Unfortunately, not all automobile drivers will see your motorcycle. Due to their nature, motorcycle accident injuries are some of the most complex injuries, resulting in long-term care needs, pain and suffering, lost income and sometimes traumatic amputation.

Longo Lawyers understand these injuries. In addition, we have experience in accident reconstruction and collaborate with some of the country’s top engineering experts, who assist to debunk stereotypes and prejudices towards motorcycle drivers.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident or has been faced with benefits being denied by your insurance company, contact Longo Lawyers and schedule your FREE INITIAL PHONE CONSULTATION.

One of the most difficult choices we make in life is to place a family member or our child in the care of a stranger. You may think that the home or facility will provide diligent and proper care, but due to staffing shortages, overworked personnel, overcrowding, or simply negligence, your family member’s care and attention may fall through the cracks. For example, wrong medications are administered, residents are neglected, and patients may be left unattended for unreasonable periods.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of nursing home or daycare facility negligence, contact Longo Lawyers and schedule your free initial consultation.

Longo lawyers are experienced at litigating cases involving defective products. While manufacturers, distributors, designers and retailers can earn significant profits from selling products, they also owe you a standard of care to ensure those products are safe and not defective. If a product is defective or dangerous, and causes injury during the ordinary safe use of the product, you may be entitled to compensation, lost wages and recovery of your medical bills. Some examples of defective products may include space heaters, electronic appliances, hazardous toys, paint or products which contain high levels of lead and contamination, faulty motor vehicles, lawn mowers, batteries and/or computer devices. Longo Lawyers has experience in investigating these cases and obtaining fair compensation for your losses. Contact Longo Lawyers.

Over 20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime. When psychological conditions become severe they can be just as debilitating as a physical impact. In some cases, no physical injury is necessary to have a psychological illness. On the surface, psychological injuries may be difficult to prove and may be disbelieved but they are very real and disabling. Depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress and other serious emotional illnesses can also entirely disable individuals from work and engaging in normal life activities. Longo Lawyers has developed a very strong niche practice advancing claims for individuals disabled by emotional and behavioural disorders. The lawyers at Longo Lawyers will begin by advocating that individuals that suffer from emotional disabilities do not choose to remain disabled nor is the condition a self-inflicted condition. Insurers and doctors may undermine the impact of a psychological disability or suggest the disability should have resolved sometime prior, however our leading experts in the area will assist us to explain and debunk these untrue stereotypes. If your psychological injury or disability prevents you from working and your insurer has denied your claim for benefits, contact Longo Lawyers for a free consultation.

Restaurant and bar liability is often identified as commercial host liability and involves holding commercial business owners liable for negligent conduct that occurs within their establishment. Toronto has over 8,000 bars, restaurants, and caterers. When a business sells alcohol or charges admission fees, it owes a duty to its customers and the surrounding community. An obligation is owed to protect its customers and when an accident happens, there may be liability.

By law, restaurants and bars must ensure that alcohol is not over-served. That means if you were over-served and as a result, injured yourself or someone else, the restaurant or bar may be liable to both you and anyone you injured. These businesses also have an obligation to keep people and their premises secure from acts of aggression and violence.

Establishments who use excessive or unreasonable force to handle or eject patrons can be held liable for any injuries sustained. If you or someone you know has been involved in a motor vehicle accident with a drunk driver who was over-served at a restaurant or bar, or you have suffered injuries or assaults while at a restaurant or bar, contact Longo Lawyers for a free consultation.

Slip/trip and falls can occur as a result of snow/ice accumulation, broken pavement, wet floor, loose carpet, a stair or step that is not to code, poorly maintained premises, or other unstable or uneven surfaces. Injuries from these types of accidents can range from a bruised knee to serious brain injuries or death.

The law in Ontario states that it is the responsibility of the store, business, or private property owner to ensure the safety of everyone who enters their premises. If the property owner or manager neglected the property and failed to protect you against potential accidents, you may be entitled to compensation.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a victim of an injury on city or government of Ontario property, is it important that you provide sufficient written notice of your injury within 10 days of the incident. Adhering to the 10-day notice period requirement is vital to moving forward with your legal claim.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact Longo Lawyers and schedule your FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

A spinal cord injury can change your life forever. Many spinal cord injuries typically occur as a result of automobile and recreational vehicle accidents. It could also be as a result of simply engaging in everyday activities. The severity of the injury to the victim and damage to the spinal cord may cause complete or partial paralysis to the legs and arms.

Based on the extent of the damage, the spinal cord injury may be deemed catastrophic. For car accident claims, catastrophic impairments have a specific definition under the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS). Both paraplegia and quadriplegia are injuries defined as catastrophic impairments under the current SABS guidelines. A spinal cord injury has a dramatic impact on the lives of both you and your family members.

It is difficult navigating the system without help. Longo Lawyers work for the victim, achieving the compensation that is rightfully deserved after a life-altering injury. A victim of a spinal cord injury will require a comprehensive team of legal and healthcare professionals to ensure the necessary financial security and clinical support are in place throughout their lifetime. Home modifications, home-based care, medical treatments, emotional support systems and future healthcare costs are factors that must be taken into consideration after a spinal cord injury.

If you or someone you know has suffered a catastrophic injury to the spinal cord, contact Longo Lawyers and schedule your FREE INITIAL PHONE CONSULTATION.

The loss of a loved one is devastating. When the death of a loved one occurs due to negligence of others, you may be entitled to compensation. At Longo Lawyers, we work with families who have experienced the wrongful death of a parent, child, spouse, partner or other member of the family.

If you or someone you know has experienced the loss of a family member due to wrongful death, please contact Longo Lawyers and schedule a FREE INITIAL PHONE CONSULTATION.