Other type of injury?
Injuries can happen in all kinds of situations. Some may be intentional, such as assault. Others occur through our own or someone else's negligence, such as falling on an icy walkway, a defective product, or negligence during a medical procedure.
A lawsuit for compensation is possible, if someone else caused the injury through an intentional wrongful act, or by reason of negligence.
Legal liability for negligence occurs when it is foreseeable that a particular negligent act could cause harm to someone. In reality, the test for liability varies depending on the situation.
For example, an occupier of a property has a duty to make sure the premises are reasonably safe for visitors.
Health practitioners have a duty to perform their duties using a reasonable standard of care.
Municipalities are not liable if you fall on a public sidewalk due to ice or snow unless there is gross negligence.
These are just some examples of situations you may encounter. If you believe you might have a potential lawsuit, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to determine your rights.
Different type of accidents have different deadlines for taking legal action, called "limitation periods", and failure to meet them may mean that you cannot sue. For example,
- you must deliver written notice to a municipality within 7 days of an injury caused by defective or icy sidewalks or roadways, and start a lawsuit within three months
- cases against other public authorities must be started within 6 months
- cases for medical negligence must be started within a year when you knew or ought to have known that negligence may have occurred
These are only a few of the time limits that may apply.
Apart from a possible lawsuit, what other sources of compensation are there?
For injuries caused by criminal acts of violence, you may be entitled to compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. For all injuries or illnesses, you may be entitled to the following:
