Nothing! It's absolutely free, so don't worry about it. Any question you have is a valid question, and you won't be charged for asking us anything.
How much money do I need to pay start the process?If we like you, and if we like your case, then you won't need to pay us a dime to start your case. We will take your case on a "don't pay until your case settles basis". This is called a contingency fee basis in the legal world. Our law firm takes on 99.9% of our cases on a contingency fee basis.
What happens if my case is unsuccessful? Will I owe you money for all of your work?If we don't get you paid, then we don't get paid. That's our Goldfinger Guarantee. It's that simple. It's that easy.
How long will my case take from beginning to end?That's a difficult question to answer. Every case is different. Because of that, every case has its own different life span. Some cases settle quicker then others. It all really depends on the facts of your case and the parties involved.
Do I have to speak with the insurance company?Once you retain our law firm, you will NOT have to speak or communicate with anyone from the insurance company. That will be our responsibility. All you have to do is focus on getting better.
What do I have to do as a client of yours?All we ask our clients is that they focus on their wellness and rehabilitation. Let us take care of the rest. We want you to get better. If your injuries are so severe and so catastrophic, your injuries will speak for themselves for an insurer. We want to restore your dignity and help you regain a better quality of life. The best way of doing that is trying to lead as normal a life as possible following your accident. Don't think about the case. The more you think about your case, the more stressful and anxious you will get. You have little control over the outcome of your case once it begins. All that we ask of you is that you focus on getting better. Leave the legal stuff to us. It's what we do.
Will my case go to trial?There is a 99% chance that your case will NOT go to trial. The overwhelming majority of personal injury cases in Ontario settle outside of Court and don't require a trial.
Who will complete all the forms the insurance company is sending me?The forms you're getting are complicated, tricky and lengthy. It's best if you left them to us. They will be completed by our accident benefits team who know the ins and outs of these forms. Just missing one point on these forms can ruin your case. Leave it to us. Did you know that these forms change every 4 years or so because they're so darn complicated?
I haven't retained a lawyer, and the insurance company insists on meeting with me/speaking with me. Do I have to speak with them?NO! Get a lawyer right away. There's a very good reason the insurance company is hounding you before you get a lawyer on your side. Don't get hurt twice. Get a lawyer to protect your rights. You should also know that you're under no legal obligation to discuss your case with your insurance company before you've retained a lawyer. So don't feel pressured in to welcoming the insurer into your home, or feel bad about cancelling a meeting with them because you don't have a lawyer. This sort of thing is very common as insurers like to get in to see you immediately before you have a lawyer.
What happens if I'm the one who caused the car accident?If you caused the car accident, and you're injured, you like will not have a tort claim. But, you will still be entitled to claim accident benefits from your own car insurance company. That's why it's called "no fault" insurance here in Ontario. Our lawyers would be pleased to assist you with this claim.
What happens if I was walking or cycling and didn't have car insurance?That's ok. Pedestrians and cyclists are not required to have car insurance. They can claim no fault accident benefits from the at fault party's car insurance company. So, if a driver hit you who was insured by State Farm, then the injured pedestrian or cyclist will be able to claim accident benefits from State Farm. If the motorist who caused the accident was driving illegally without car insurance, then the injured pedestrian or cyclist can claim accident benefits from the Ontario Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund or MVAC. It's known as "the Fund" in the legal world. In addition, the injured party can sue the at-fault party for the accident. So, don't worry about it. We will find a way to get you covered.
The insurance company has assigned as rehabilitation team and case manager to work with me. Do I have to use them?You have the right to chose the rehabilitation team and case manager of your choice. Just because the insurance company has assigned some people to you, doesn't mean that you have to use them. You can pick whomever you'd like. Chances are, the people you chose or who your lawyer recommends are looking out for your best interests rather than those people who were assigned to you by the insurer. These people likely have the insurer's best interests in mind. Can
you help me find a place to go for physiotherapy and other treatment?Yes we can! It's what we do. Over the years, we've developed close relationships with all sorts of rehabilitation professional across Ontario. Even if you live in a small, remote Ontario community, chances are we can find a specialist to work with you.
If your case is a motor vehicle accident case, and you're entitled to accident benefits, then all reasonable and necessary treatment within the statutory limits will be paid by the insurance company and NOT by you. If your case is not a motor vehicle accident case, then some treatment is not covered by OHIP. It depends on what the treatment is, and who has requested it.