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The Insurance Tornado

Written by Owen Smith

Are you caught up in the Insurance Tornado?

One of our clients recently decided that he had enough of the ongoing battle with his insurers. “They kept paying claims that had no merit and every time they did that, my premiums went up” he indicated. That helped their bottom line but hurt mine. They didn’t do their job and I had to pay extra”. He is now defending claims on his own.

Bulletin: The Importance of Due Dilligence

Written by Owen Smith

Organizations are often charged with regulatory offences and defending them requires a precise and aggressive approach.

Generally speaking, it is up to the organization charged to prove due diligence.

Fighting Back - What's the Best Defence?

Written by Owen Smith

The Best Defence is a Good Offence.

Many clients have told us that they are tired of being on the defensive in lawsuits.

They worry about the accusations that they have done something wrong and suffer the indignities of having their actions pulled apart and criticized.

Bill 168 Health and Safety Act: Are you Prepared?

Written by Owen Smith

Bill 168 amending the Occupational Health and Safety Act comes into effect on June 15, 2010. Are you ready?

How to Control your Problems and Risks

Written by Owen Smith

Everybody pays a lot of attention to problems but not enough organizations pay attention to risks.

As a trial lawyer and risk consultant, I have worked a lot with both problems and risks and they are essentially the same!

A problem is a risk that has happened and a risk is a problem that has not yet happened.

Due Diligence: Your Best Weapon

Written by Owen Smith

Whenever a government agency, regulator, shareholder or court of law tries to hold you accountable for something in your business, Due Diligence is your best weapon.

Your Insurance Broker is Key

Written by Owen Smith

Your insurance broker should be one of the most valuable members of your Strategic Team.

Managing Health & Safety

Written by Owen Smith

Most organizations have basically good health and safety practices in place.

Despite this fact, more and more are running into problems with either WSIB non compliance, MOL prosecutions or third party injury claims, especially with the increase in WSIB Workwell audits.

The Headaches of Regulatory Compliance

Written by Owen Smith

Not surprisingly, a recent survey from Info-Tech Research Group indicates that nearly 45% of Canadian companies think stronger regulatory regulation is unnecessary.

The Importance of Confidentiality

Written by Owen Smith

All too often, audits, reports, emails and other communications are used against businesses in, either law suits, regulatory investigations or merger and acquisition due diligence.