the most common lawpro claims and how to avoid them...the most common errors and how to avoid them...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them
Dan Pinnington VP, Claims Prevention & Stakeholder Relations
Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company
LSUC Oatley McLeish 2017March 31, 2017
![Page 2: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Agenda
• Claims trends• Most common errors• Strategies for avoiding
claims• Questions
![Page 3: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Area of law trends
![Page 4: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Claims Count by Area of Law
Litigation
Real Estate
Corporate
Wills/Estates
Family
![Page 5: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
$0
$5,000,000
$10,000,000
$15,000,000
$20,000,000
$25,000,000
$30,000,000
Claims Cost by Area of Law
Litigation
Real Estate
Corporate
Wills/Estates
Family
Incurred costs2015-16 are “green”
![Page 6: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
The most common errors
![Page 7: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Plaintiff litigation claims (2006 to 2016)
![Page 8: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Defence litigation claims (2006 to 2016)
![Page 9: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Causes of Litigation Claims by Count
Time Management
Communications
Inadequate Investigation
Error of Law
Clerical
Conflict of Interest
Other
![Page 10: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
The most common errors and how to avoid them
![Page 11: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Limitation periods!!
• Limitations Act, 2002• 2 years to commence MVA action
– Subject to discoverability• Accident Benefits
– Licensing Appeal Tribunal deadlines • Shorter notice periods
– Municipal Act– s.33 of Public Transportation and Highway
Improvement Act
![Page 12: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
CivPro 101
• Must serve within 6 months of issuing
• Notice of Intent gives you 30 days to issue Statement of Claim
• Missing other deadlines• Dealing with multiple parties
when counterclaims, crossclaims etc.
![Page 13: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
New Rule 48.14
• New automatic dismissal of court files 5 years after commencement– Without notice! – Pre-2012 matters dismissed January 1, 2017– 5 year rolling window going forward
![Page 14: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
The biggest dangers
• Languishing files– Minimal damages or issues with liability
• Clusters of claims– Overwhelmed juniors– Lawyers with personal issues– Unexpected hiatus (health issues)– Files left behind by departing lawyers
![Page 15: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Prevent Rule 48 claims• Use tickler systems!!• Keep files moving!!• Review
– Inactivity reports– Trust fund reports
• Rule 48 Transition Toolkit– File progress plan
• Practicepro.ca/rule48– FAQs
![Page 16: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Not controlling client expectations
• Discuss terms of retainer– See LAWPRO precedent
• Be forthright and clear on process, timing, outcome, costs
• Don’t sugar coat damages• Explain cost consequences• Document communications
on these things
![Page 17: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Allegations of improvident settlements
• Document advice to client and directions you received– Remember FLA claimants
• Give client breakdown including “take home” amounts and how your fees will be paid
• Get court approval if minors involved
![Page 18: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Not digging deep enough
• Understand causation• Name all and proper parties…
– Obtain and read the police report– Corporate searches– Property searches
• Obtain clinical notes and records to work-up damages
• Get experts you need
![Page 19: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Not getting all the necessary and correct parties
• Not suing driver of own vehicle• Not naming correct doctor
– Get the clinical notes and records early• Not naming proper insurer due to an
unidentified, uninsured or underinsured claim (OPCF 44R)
• Not naming FLA claimants• Don’t forget other third parties
![Page 20: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Accident Benefits
• Application and appeal deadlines!• Claim for the right benefits
– Get documentation to support• Making correct election on care-giver vs.
non-earner benefits
![Page 21: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Cyber dangers
• Sending email to wrong person• Bad cheque frauds• Redirection of settlement funds via hacked
email account
• Phishing• Sloppy use of passwords
![Page 22: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Carefully evaluate files before taking them on
• Minimal damages• Complex liability issues• Re-evaluate if things change
![Page 23: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Conclusion
• Move your files along• Watch limitation periods and deadlines!• Control client expectations• Take time to dig deeper and get details• Document your file
![Page 24: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Litigation claims malpractice fact sheet
![Page 25: The most common LAWPRO claims and how to avoid them...The most common errors and how to avoid them Limitation periods!! • Limitations Act, 2002 • 2 years to commence MVA action](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052816/60aa4a2865d8af59f37e787c/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Questions please!!
www.lawpro.ca
www.lawpro.ca/excess www.practicepro.ca
www.titleplus.ca