Claims

Tornado leaves swath of damage in Midland, Ontario

A tornado tore through Midland, Ontario on June 23, the third tornado of the season in Ontario. A severe thunderstorm and funnel cloud ripped through the southern part of Midland on Wednesday evening, damaging property and forcing the community to declare a state of emergency.Environment Canada confirmed a tornado touched down, but the exact timing, […]

By Canadian Underwriter | June 24, 2010

2 min read

Claims

Ontario Court of Appeal reinstates statute-barred auto injury claim

The Ontario Court of Appeal has breathed new life into an auto injury claim that was defeated in a summary judgment because it was filed 14 months after the limitations period had expired.The Appeal Court reinstated the action on the basis that the motion judge that dismissed the matter failed to consider the $15,000 statutory […]

By Canadian Underwriter | June 24, 2010

2 min read

Claims

Feds to phase out coal-fired electrical plants as part of climate change strategy

The federal Minister of the Environment announced proposed regulations to phase out traditional coal-fired electrical plants and place stringent performance standards on new coal-fired electricity generation units. Thirty-three of Canada’s 51 coal-burning electricity plans will come to the end of their economic life by 2025. Thirteen per cent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions come […]

By Canadian Underwriter | June 23, 2010

1 min read

Claims

Damage caused by oil mixed with U.S. floodwaters is covered: FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed that National Flood Insurance Program policies will cover property damage caused by oil in floodwaters, reports the US’s Insurance Information Institute (III).”FEMA’s clarification comes after rising concerns over whether flood insurance policies would cover damage to homes and businesses if oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill mixes with […]

By Canadian Underwriter | June 23, 2010

1 min read

Manitoba man pays steep price for attempted $240 insurance fraud

A Winnipeg man was sentenced to 15 months’ probation, perform 120 community service hours within one year, pay full restitution and write a letter of apology to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)’s CEO for attempting to commit a $240 insurance fraud.Brent Disbrowe-Bear pleaded guilty to falsely reporting that his vehicle was struck by another motor vehicle […]

1 min read

Magnitude 5.0 earthquake rumbles Quebec-Ontario border

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck the Ontario-Quebec border area – 60 kilometers north of Ottawa – at 1:42 p.m. on June 23, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Natural Resources Canada confirmed the earthquake on its Web site: “June 23, 1:45 pm Eastern Time – A moderate earthquake has occurred in the Ottawa-Montreal region.” […]

1 min read

Pharmaceutical companies facing liability for products found in water supplies: Marsh

Pharmaceutical companies are facing an evolving risk of liability for pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) found in ground and drinking water supplies, according to Marsh. PPCPs include antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, stimulants and antihistamines.”Liability will likely rest primarily with large sources that dispose of the PPCPs inappropriately (e.g. manufacturing and large end users) and […]

2 min read

Flash floods hit Alberta and Saskatchewan, closing Trans-Canada Highway

States of emergency were declared following heavy rains that led to floods in Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of homes and causing a sinkhole on the Trans-Canada Highway.As much as 150 millimetres of rain fell in several regions of the Prairies over the weekend of June 19, extending into the early […]

1 min read

Blouin Dunn LLP hires Derek Ballard

Derek Ballard has joined Blouin Dunn LLP as of June 15. Ballard obtained his law degree at the University of Manitoba in 2002 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2003. Since his call, Ballard has practiced in many areas of insurance litigation including personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, disability insurance and class […]

1 min read

Deepwater Horizon could have long-term impact on D&O market of up to $500 million

The Deepwater Horizon disaster could have a long-term impact on directors and officers’ lines in the range of $250 million to $500 million, suggests EWI Risk Services. In addition, in the immediate future, carve-out exclusions and coverage grants currently afforded in the soft D&O market will likely disappear, the company added.The impact would be spread […]

2 min read