The holidays are a special time of year dedicated to spending time with family and close friends, which means that you’re probably not focusing on potentially enduring a personal injury. Considering the fact that personal injuries – particularly motor vehicle and slip-and-fall accidents – tend to rise during this time of year, it’s certainly something you should think about or at least be aware of. After all, you never know when you’re going to need the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer in Ontario to provide legal counsel for your case.
There are a lot of legal changes afoot when it comes to personal injury law in Canada and it’s important to address these changes in detail.
On October 23, 2019, a comprehensive list of amendments was filed in regard to Rule 76 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Taking effect on January 1st, 2020, these amendments will impact many changes in terms of the recourse for small claims litigation in numerous legal actions. Personal injury litigation will be impacted the most.
In addition to marking the beginning of the New Year, January 1st, 2020 will also bring with it a number of crucial amendments that will dictate the way personal injury settlements and cases are litigated across the country.
Here are some of the most noteworthy amendments that were added and directly impact personal injury law.
A Rise in Monetary Limits
Perhaps the most noteworthy amendment is the one that proposes an increase in monetary limits for cases that fall under the simplified procedure. Pursuant to such cases, the monetary limit will be increased from $100,000 to $200,000 with the objective of helping to streamline the litigation process as much as possible. Litigants with modest financial means and limited insurance policies are expected to benefit the most from this change.
The Right To A Trial By Jury Will Be Limited
In another effort to speed up the judiciary process and save taxpayers money, personal injury jury trials will only be permitted for cases that are below $200,000 with a few exceptions. These exceptions include actions that are related to false imprisonment, malicious arrest or prosecution, slander, or libel.
Reduced Trial Lengths
The length of any trial pertaining specifically to Rule 76 will be limited to 5 days, including weekends. Petitions to extend the trial date under extenuating circumstances can be submitted to the court, but the court is by no means legally obligated to accept or grant additional time.
These are just some of the many amendments that will take effect in the coming year. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your case, then you should consult an experienced personal injury lawyer.
You may have seen plenty on social media such as Facebook ads for personal injury lawyers and finding one that you may feel has your best interest at heart can be tough.
At Mirian Law Firm, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers is dedicated to helping our clients understand their legal rights and map out a successful plan of action to help them obtain their goals. Book a free assessment today!