Kitchener
416.860.0003
Bar Admission:
2009
Michael is the head of the firm’s Transportation Law Newsletter. His opinions on recent case law have also been quoted in The Lawyer’s Weekly. His defence practice focuses on all areas of negligence law, including occupiers’ liability, transportation law, products liability and workplace safety issues.
Michael has successfully represented clients and their interests at all levels of court in Ontario as well as various administrative tribunals, including the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. His reported decisions include the precedent-setting case of Rampersaud v. TD General (FSCO)which defined “residence” within the context of the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, and Thayalan v. Wawanesa Mutual Insurance (FSCO), in which Michael successfully argued that an objective post-accident meniscus tear in the right knee would not prevent a claimant from returning to physical labour or household tasks. Michael was also the second chair on Ursus Transport Inc. et al. v. Bernad (WSIAT), which successfully removed a claimant’s right to sue his employer.
Michael is experienced representing large, multinational corporations and their interests for both defence and subrogation matters. He is regularly retained to provide opinions with respect to risk management, liability defence and rights of subrogation. He has assisted clients with the investigation and risk management of potential claims, including representing clients in regulatory proceedings.
As Michael operates out of both Toronto and Waterloo Region, he is able to cost-effectively handle cases in all of Southern and Southwestern Ontario. His reasonable, personable and proactive approach yields proven results for his clients.
When not representing clients, Michael is an avid musician who plays the piano, saxophone and oboe. He is a member of the Guelph Concert Ensemble, for which he has served on its board of directors. He can also be found exploring the live theatre scene or relaxing at home with his partner, beloved dogs and cat.
In its recent decision of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada v. SNIC, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the "Court") considered the priority of a travel policy and auto policy to pay out-of-province medical expenses. Both insurers claimed they were excess to each other, with the travel insurer relying upon the Ontario Court of Appeal's ruling in RBC Travel Insurance Company v. Aviva Canada Ltd. ("RBC Travel"), which limited the application of section 268(6) of the Insurance Act (which legislates all other insurance policies to be "excess" insurance to auto policies). However, the auto insurer's counsel (Michael Kennedy with McCague Borlack LLP) successfully argued that RBC Travel should be distinguished, resulting in the auto policy being held to be excess due to section 268(6).
This case arose out of injuries sustained by an individual when ice allegedly fell from an above canopy onto her head as she was exiting a grocery store. The plaintiff sued the property owner (represented by Michael Kennedy at McCague Borlack LLP), who in turn sued its winter maintenance contractor for contribution and indemnity pursuant to a hold harmless clause in its contract.
Arbitration regarding whether a claimant had a reasonable explanation for the delay in notifying his insurer of his intention to claim benefits, as well as whether the claimant is entitled to both pre-104 week and post-104 week income replacement benefits.
The applicant, Johnson, was involved in an automobile accident in 2017 and sought benefits pursuant to the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (the "Schedule"). The respondent, Aviva Insurance Company of Canada (the "Insurer"), denied psychotherapy benefits. Johnson (the "Applicant") applied to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) for the resolution of the dispute.
Of the issues adjudicated in this decision, the LAT explored the appropriate rate payable to psychotherapists in the context of statutory accident benefits.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice Divisional Court reviewed a decision of the Licence Appeal Tribunal (the "LAT") and addresses whether auto insurers can require an insured to undergo medical examinations to determine eligibility for prescription medication claims.
This paper provides detailed information across all Canadian jurisdictions regarding: