| Legal Advice Columns |
| Car Accidents |
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Steps to Take in the Aftermath of a Car Accident
Most of us have a rough idea of what to do if we are in a car accident. But what does
the law require us to do?
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Car Accident Victims Require Legal Assistance
Car accidents can be horrible events. People are injured, sometimes killed. Damages
costs to cars are high. Insurance rates rise.
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Facts of Accident Determine Time Length to Sue
If you want to sue someone, you go see a lawyer. What if you are not sure whether you
want to sue? Maybe you decide to wait for awhile and think about it.
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Hit Brakes Early and Avoid a Tort
Jim doesn't see a stop sign. When he doesn't stop, the worst happens: Another car is
coming and CRUNCH, an accident. Fortunately, no one is hurt, but there is extensive damage
to the other driver's car.
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| Consumer |
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Verbal Pact Can Be as Firm as Written One
Many people operate under the mistaken belief that the word "contract" is synonymous
with "written contract."
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Risk and Spectator Sports
You're having a great afternoon watching your favorite ball team. Just as you open your
mouth to take another bite of your hot dog, a baseball slams into your face. Who is going
to pay your dental bills?
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Draft System Controls Players
Professional sports have become big business and there are many legal issues we could
discuss. In today’s article, we will deal with the legal issues involved in a unique
aspect of professional sports: The draft system that forces a player to play for a particular
team.
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The Myths of Medical Malpractice
The topic of medical malpractice is much publicized, but it is not well understood by
most people.
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| Legal System |
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Facts Determing the Calculation of Damages
If you have ever sued somebody, you no doubt would have been concerned with winning
the lawsuit. But winning on the merits of the case is only the first step; sometimes
it's not the most important one. The second question is what type of remedy the court
will give you.
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What Is an Injunction?
In the newspaper and on television we are often told that someone has been granted an
injunction to prevent someone else from doing something. How does an injunction work?
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The Lawyer's Duty of Confidentiality
Lawyers have a duty to keep everything a client tells them confidential. This is an
ethical and legal duty of the lawyer. The courts also respect the confidential nature
of the lawyer-client relationship during a trial. Neither the client nor the lawyer will
be asked to divulge in court what they have discussed.
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The Importance of Jury Duty
You have received a summons to appear for jury duty. Chances are you will have some
immediate concerns, such as do I have to go and what about my job?
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The Role of the Jury
A short time ago I wrote about what to do and where to go if you were summoned for jury
duty. Today, we will consider the role of a jury during a trial.
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Evidence in the Courtroom
When a crime is committed, or when a car accident happens, only the people involved
know what really occurred. How then, can a judge or jury discovery the truth at a trial
that takes place months or years later?
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The Ins and Outs of Legal Fees
Many people are shy about asking a lawyer how much the service will cost. Don’t
be. A lawyer should tell you—or warn you—even if you don’t ask.
It’s in everyone’s interest to have everything about the billing process
as clear as possible from the beginning.
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Military Law
Military law is not something that applies to most of us. It is a very different system
that operates along with our ordinary law.
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The September 11, 2001 Victim Compensation Fund
Although none of us will ever forget the horrible events of September 11, 2001, it will
for most of us, due to our lack of direct involvement therein, eventually become a somewhat
distant memory. For the families and friends of those directly involved, however, the
pain, sense of loss and for many the financial consequences will ever fade away.
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The Origin of Canadian Law
Each week in this column I mention whether the law we are dealing with is Federal or
Provincial. Sometimes the law covers Ontario, sometimes all of Canada. Have you ever
wondered where all this law comes from in the first place? Canada is only 134 years old:
Did we invent all the laws on the first day of Confederation?
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The Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada has been in the news recently. We have had decisions of
major importance dealing with mandatory retirement at age 65 and the issues of hate propaganda.
We hear so much about the decisions they make. But have you ever wondered about the court
itself?
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Expert Witness Testimony
Only an expert witness can testify to something other that what he saw or heard. An
expert can provide opinions on technical matters in areas such as medicine, engineering,
etc. This is permitted because it is not reasonable to expect a judge or jury to be able
to form their own opinions or conclusions on technical matters.
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| Property and Real Estate |
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Snow and Ice Removal: Duty of Property Owners
Before you know it, the snow will be falling, the wind will be blowing and you will
want to be safe and indoors, curled up in front of the fireplace with a good book...
but, just before you do that, maybe you’d better check how much snow has fallen
on your sidewalks. Although you’re not expecting company, you never know when someone
will come up to your door to deliver a flyer, or walk past your house to exercise their
dog.
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| Traffic Law |
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One Does Not Need To Intend To Drive Dangerous To Be Found Guilty of Dangerous
Driving
At about 3:40 p.m. on Jan 19, 1998, Surinder Hundal was driving a dump truck on a wet
four-lane street in Vancouver. He went through a red light at an intersection and crashed
into a small car, killing the driver.
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| Employment Law |
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What Is Wrongful Dismissal?
Do you know what your legal rights would be if you walked into work one morning and
were told that you were fired? The answer depends on a number of factors but, generally
speaking, you cannot force your employer to take you back.
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| Animals |
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Owner Liable for Dog Bites
A concern of many dog owners is the extent of their liability if their dog bites someone.
A common belief is the owner is liable only if the dog has demonstrated a vicious nature
and the owner is aware of it. This is not true. Under Ontario law, the owner of a dog
is liable in damages for the injuries resulting from a bite on another person.
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| Criminal Law |
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Laws Boost Victims' Rights
What is it like to have your house broken into and robbed? Or, even worse, be the victim
of a violent attack? Fortunately, crime is something most of us do not have to face on
a day-to-day basis. It is something that we read about in the newspaper or see on the
television news. As a result, our views on crime are shaped in part by shows on television
and movies.
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Silence Is Golden
Ask any criminal lawyer for the most important piece of general advice to give to someone
who has just been arrested, and this is what it will probably be: “Don’t
say anything until you have talked to a lawyer."
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Charges Possible in Hockey Attacks
We have all seen it too many times: a hockey player swings his stick at the head of
an opposing player, or attacks him from behind. This sort of violence is unnecessary
in hockey (or any sport). The leagues sometimes discipline the offender, but are such
acts also illegal?
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| Constitutional Law |
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Libel and Slander
As you read this newspaper, you probably aren’t at all worried that you will turn
a page and find an article written by your mother-in-law telling the world what a chump
you are. And you’ve probab1y never worried that you’ll tune into a radio
talk show and hear your neighbor accusing you of being insane.
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