May 31 2017

Should I sign the Waiver and take that exciting summer adventure?

By Fran Zinger, Senior Partner at CAM LLP

There are certain firmly held myths in society when it comes to some legal concepts – I can easily get out of a rental lease, I won’t be bound by my non-compete clause, and I won’t be held to the waiver I signed to go white water rafting, skydiving, zip-lining, horseback riding, or [insert exciting summer adventure of your choice here]. Whether these myths come from TV, movies, or well-meaning friends or family members, the reality is that in many cases you cannot break the lease, you will be held to your non-compete clause and you may well be prevented from suing for damages if you are injured during an adventure activity by the waiver that you signed voluntarily. Continue reading

May 24 2017

Should You Host that Graduation Party? What You Need to Know About Social Host Liability.

By Bill Hendsbee, Senior Partner at CAM LLP

Congratulations! Your son or daughter is about to graduate from high school. To mark this special milestone your child has asked to have a graduation party in your home. While fun is fun, and you want to help your child celebrate, you should be aware of the pitfalls and that you are potentially exposing yourself to liability.

Know what you are getting into and set the ground rules before you agree to host a grad party

The first assumption you should make is that there will be alcohol consumed at the party. Continue reading

March 22 2017

Walking in a Winter Wonderland 2017: 3 Safety Tips for Cold Weather Pedestrians – Even if it’s “technically” Spring!

According to the government of Alberta, on average more than 1,170 pedestrians are injured each year in collisions and 43 of those injuries are fatal. Even though it’s “technically” spring, weather conditions still aren’t stellar and you will likely need to do some walking outdoors. Whether it’s to escort your children to school, make your daily commute, or getting in some exercise more, following these three safety tips each time you venture out can help you avoid becoming a statistic.

Plan Your Route and Make it Known

Extreme weather conditions make it essential to plan ahead. It’s smart to let someone know where you are going, what time you will be back, and what route you plan to travel. Continue reading

January 24 2017

#BellLetsTalk, personal injury victims, and their families

What is the Bell “Let’s Talk” Campaign

As many of you may have noticed, Bell’s “Let’s Talk” initiative is set to run on Wednesday, January 25th.

“Let’s Talk” is intended to promote awareness of mental illness and jumpstart action(s) to help people access the treatment they need. The campaign is based on four pillars:

  • Fighting the stigma that is often (wrongly) associated with mental health issues
  • Improving access to care for people facing mental health challenges
  • Fostering workplaces that support mental wellness
  • Supporting ongoing world-class research

In case you don’t know how it works, Bell will donate 5¢ towards mental health initiatives in Canada, for every text, call, tweet, Instagram post, Facebook video view and Snapchat geo filter on January 25th, regardless of your cell phone carrier. Continue reading

December 21 2016

Winter Driving Tips for Pedestrians, Motorcyclists, and Motorists

Edmonton winters can be beautiful, but they can also be dangerous. Snow piles up on the road; blizzards impair drivers’ vision, and ice makes it easier for cars and motorcycles to skid and pedestrians to slip.

Fortunately, car accident fatalities usually decrease during the winter. More people stay inside instead of risking bad weather, and most people drive slowly in bad weather.  However, accidents tend to increase on the first day or two after a snowstorm as drivers adjust to the new weather conditions.

Not all accidents can be avoided, especially when you’re the victim of a negligent driver. But there are steps you can take to keep yourself and others on the road safe this winter. Continue reading

December 14 2016

Soft Tissue Injury Cap Amount Announced by Alberta Government for 2017

What is the cap for soft tissue injury compensation claims in Alberta?

The Superintendent of Insurance, Nilam Jetha, has announced the 2017 soft tissue (minor injury) cap amount.  Since 2004, minor soft tissue injuries, including minor sprains and strains, have been limited by the government.  In 2004 the minor injury cap was $4,000 and that has moved up due to inflation to $5,020 in 2017.

Before 2004 a less severe injury that lasted 3- 6 months may have been worth anywhere from $5,000 – $15,000 for the pain and suffering.  Since that time, the minor injury cap puts a limit on these less severe injuries and is set each year by the government.   Continue reading