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Labour & Employment Law Blog

Discovering Discoverability

Zeilikman Law

Zeilikman Law

Case Summary

BACKGROUND

In a recent personal injury case arising out of a surgery-gone-bad, the Court of Appeal was charged with deciding on the issue of discoverability. The plaintiff-patient had suffered medical complications following a breast-reduction surgery. What followed was thirteen (13) months of continued treatment by her doctor, the same doctor that had (allegedly) caused or contributed to the complications. The plaintiff had surgery on March 25, 2009, and following numerous unsuccessful attempts by her doctor to ameliorate the damage, the plaintiff ultimately sued her doctor on June 4, 2012, almost three (3) years after the doctor’s impugned conduct. The doctor brought a summary judgement to have the claim dismissed because it was initiated outside of the limitation period. The Limitations Act 2002 (the “Act”) requires that actions be brought within two (2) years of their discovery. The Act outlines that the time limit starts to run from the point at which it can be established that:

  1. the injury, loss or damage had occurred;
  2. the injury, loss or damage was caused by or contributed to by an act or omission;
  3. the act or omission was that of the person against whom the claim is made;
  4. the proceeding would be an appropriate means to seek remedy.

On summary judgement, the motion judge found that the defendant-doctor had failed to establish the fourth ground of the analysis. The judge reasoned that the plaintiff did not know that legal proceedings were an appropriate means to remedy her injury until after all medical attempts had failed. Therefore, the limitation period did not commence until June 16, 2010, the date of the plaintiff’s last surgery aimed at ameliorating her injury.

OUR THOUGHTS

The general purpose of a limitation period is to encourage people to act on their rights. This is due to the fact that, as time moves on, so does the likelihood that relevant evidence may be lost and witnesses become less credible as their recollections grow blurry. The Act is further thought of as a way to foster predictability in the legal system by preventing people from holding an action over someone’s head without having any intention of actually proceeding. Although the two year limitation is not an absolute one, in the past, it has been applied with vigilance as a means of maintaining order and accountability within the legal system. It is interesting, then, that the Court of Appeal decided to allow the plaintiff to sue in this case almost three (3) years after the fact. It seems that, in this case, the Court of Appeal was cognizant of the fact that the Plaintiff’s attempts to ameliorate her injuries through medical means was commendable, and that she should not be punished for her tardiness in bringing the action. This case embodies the tension often present in limitations issues, wherein the court must decide and prioritize the demands of the legal system, between ensuring a full and fair trial and encouraging non-legal means of conflict resolution.

SeeBrown v Baum, 2016 ONCA 325

The above article is for general information purposes only, does not constitute legal advice or create a solicitor-client relationship. Because each case is unique and factually driven, if you have concerns with regard to the foregoing issues, please make an appointment with one of our lawyers or a qualified legal practitioner elsewhere. We represent clients in the Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, North York, Markham, Vaughan, Thornhill, Newmarket, Aurora, Brampton, Mississauga, Barrie, Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa.

Legal Receptionist

Zeilikman Law is an employment law firm located in Vaughan, Ontario. We are looking to hire a legal receptionist to join our firm. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working as a receptionist at another law firm.

Location: Vaughan, Ontario.

Start Date: Immediately.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Full time. In-person only. This is not a remote work position.

Wages: 35,000 to 40,000 per year.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Manage our firm’s multi-line telephone system to receive incoming calls.  Screen incoming telephone call inquiries to determine the nature of the telephone call and provide standard information related to our legal services.  Take and deliver messages and route incoming telephone calls to the appropriate staff person.
  • Answer general inquiries coming from the firm’s social media and website email.
  • Welcome in-person visitors upon arrival.  Direct visitors to the appropriate staff person and / or office or boardroom.
  • Organize in-person visitor schedule to prevent overlap and multiple bookings.
  • Receive, sort, and distribute daily mail and deliveries.
  • Arrange for couriers.
  • Keep front reception, kitchenette area and boardroom tidy.
  • Perform various clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, and faxing on an as-needed basis.
  • Process client or other payments.
  • May be asked to run minor errands outside of office such as attending post office to arrange a courier or pick up mail.
  • May be asked to assist other law clerks or lawyers of the firm as required and as appropriate.
  • Any other basic administrative duties or tasks as deemed appropriate.

Required Skills:

  • Basic knowledge of general office procedures including filing, faxing, and printing and copying.
  • Basic word processing computer skills.
  • Proficient in receptionist and telephone practices, etiquette, and decorum.
  • Professional attitude and appearance.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Positive customer service attitude is a must.
  • Must be able to maintain confidential and sensitive information.

Education and Experience:

  • Highschool diploma or equivalent.
  • 1 – 2 years’ experience in an office setting with an emphasis in accounting, reception or clerical work is required.   We would prefer experience in a law firm environment.

Applications for this position should be sent via email to jennifer@zeilikmanlaw.com. All applications should include a cover letter, resume and at least two references. Only successful candidates will be contacted.