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Tort and Personal Injury Law Dictionary

A plain language, comprehensive explanation of each and every legal term used in the law of personal injury and tort.

last updated Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tort Law - An Introduction

Contrary to what bakers would have you believe, torts are not edible. They are bad things; ow-ies. When someone intentionally or by being negligent,  and hurts you, the theory has it that you can sue and receive compensation.

last updated Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Alcohol Liability

A must-read for any bar owner. From the local pub, the Jones’ annual Christmas Party to the beer in the locker room after a hard fought old-timers hockey game, any amount of alcohol sets off a ticking time bomb of liability.

last updated: Monday, October 19, 2009

Car versus Pedestrian Collisions

The pedestrian does not always have the right of way.

last updated: Saturday, September 19, 2009

Causation

There has to be a logical or rational link between the action or negligence of a person and the alleged damages caused to his victim, for a claim in tort to stick; the damages would not of hapenned but for the tort. This area is called "causation" and in this article, we explore the deep end.

last updated: Monday, October 19, 2009

Children's Liability for Torts and Personal Injury

Liability for personal injury and other torts caused by children: parents, guardians, babysitters and guardians listen up!

last updated: Monday, October 19, 2009

Canadian Defamation Law

"you rotten $%#(%*%)!" You say it, you pay it. Few torts occur more frequently than defamation. Of course, I have never unjustifiably insulted anybody but you ... YOU! This article looks at the balance between free speech and put-downs and insults, known to the lawyer as defamation, libel or slander.

last updated: Monday, June 02, 2008

Government Liability in Canada

"The Crown is subject to all liabilities in tort to which, if it were a person of full age and capacity...." So says almost all provincial law including this wording from the Proceedings Against the Crown Act (Ontario) at s. 5. Crown liability is now a commonly accepted principle of law but it has not always been so as the hiding-place of "Crown immunity" has been formidable rabbit hole to ferret from.

last updated: Monday, October 19, 2009

Intentional Torts

Some torts are intended, such as an assault. In those events, the plaintiff's burden may seem easier than, say, a claim based on negligence. However, intentional torts come with a unique legal briefcase chock full of defences, which gives these claims at law their own twisty and complex roadmap.

last updated: Sunday, November 11, 2007

Malicious Prosecution

When an overzealous or bit nutty madman starts cranking out complaints about ya, ya gotta know how to fight back! Don't start a feud with a nutcase - ...

last updated: Friday, October 19, 2007

Medical Liability in Canada - A Primer

Medical liability is a very complex area of the law pitting an impossible occupation in terms of result(s) against tort law demands that tries to strike a balance between profession-specific negligence and reasonable patient expectations.

last updated: Monday, October 19, 2009

Negligence - An Introduction

 "The rule that you are to love your neighbour becomes in law, you must not injure your neighbour. You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or ommisions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour." (Donoghue vs. Stevenson, a 1932 English case.)

last updated: Friday, September 18, 2009

Nuisance

A person's enjoyment of their property ends when they interfere with their neighbours. A simple concept but as elsewhere in the law, an area where legal theory rules the deep-water of its seas. "Nuisance" is the pretty little word the law uses to capture that area of tort law concerned with the interference of other people's property by one's own things.

last updated: Monday, October 19, 2009

Occupiers' Liability

Beware shop owners, restaurant owners and all others ... including any little "Mom and Pop" firm with a shingle out. Occupiers' liability can choke yo...

last updated: Thursday, June 05, 2008

Passing-Off

The rare but devastating tort of passing-off occurs when one merchant atempts to mislead patrons or consumers in having them believe that his products...

last updated: Sunday, June 24, 2007

Res ipsa loquitur

The accident shouts negligence, such as falling objects that injure; a rebuttable presumption tort law sets upon certain patterns of fact, and which c...

last updated: Saturday, October 20, 2007

Son Of A Bitch Defamation Cases

There are few cases with more Jerry Springer appeal than the cases which must decide whether the insult de jour is defamatory or not. So find out how you can call anyone a cheap bastard, an old maid or an illiterate half-baked crank and maybe get away with it!

last updated: Wednesday, December 10, 2008

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Unless otherwise noted, this article was written by Lloyd Duhaime, Barrister, Solicitor, Attorney and Lawyer (and Notary Public!). It is not intended to be legal advice and you would be foolhardy to rely on it in respect to any specific situation you or an acquaintance may be facing. In addition, the law changes rapidly and sometimes with little notice so from time to time, an article may not be up to date. Therefore, this is merely legal information designed to educate the reader. If you have a real situation, this information will serve as a good springboard to get legal advice from a lawyer.

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