The early reports cause freedom-loving people everywhere to shudder: a mid-afternoon blast at a 17-storey government building in Oslo has resulted in fatalities – and fear. And if this turns out – as it initially appears – to be the work of terrorists, it serves as a grim reminder that every democratic nation embracing peace  more...

  You may not have noticed, but the accumulation of bad news stories from around the globe has already made 2011 the worst year of the 21st century for natural disasters – and we have over 5 months to go before year-end!   Is the trend getting significantly worse – or is this year an  more...

It sounds rather crass – but that question is often what our courts wrestle with when one party is legally liable for injury to another. Questions considered: What degree of medical and attendant care will be required?  What lifestyle changes will this injury necessitate?  How will those closest to the injured party be affected? And  more...

Having celebrated our nation this past weekend, I’m reminded that we as Canadians have much for which to be thankful! One of the cornerstones to our culture – often absent in other parts of the world – is the high esteem in Canada for justice, the rule of law and due legal process. To be  more...

Volvo, the Swedish automobile manufacturer, has long had a reputation for superior passenger safety standards.  Now its technology may lead to enhanced safety for Canada’s wildlife, too. According to the MTO, over 10,000 animals or large birds are struck by drivers in Ontario annually. Volvo is developing an infra-red technology system that will identify animals  more...

Elaborately planned heists to steal valuable works of art are the stuff of Hollywood movies (think Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair). But sometimes the theft is so simplistic as to be almost comical. Last year’s break-in at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville in Paris is a perfect example.   more...

The sun is shining and the lake is calling.  As many boaters are getting ready to, or have already, launched out on to the open waters it’s important to remember our obligations as boaters.  The link below will take you to an article reminding us of some of the requirements as boaters and some tips  more...

Bedbugs continue to be in the headlines – particularly in the insurance industry! The hospitality industry has been increasingly aware of the risk to revenue and reputation (see TheRiskFactor.ca – August 19, 2010).  Bedbugs are popping up in more conversations between travellers booking hotels, and students looking for housing. For commercial exposures, coverage is now  more...

Even though he’s dead, pop legend Michael Jackson continues to make headlines within the insurance industry. At the time of his death in June 2009, Jackson was scheduled to play 50 shows for a million fans at London’s O2 Arena. As reported in TheRiskFactor.ca (July 6,2009), Jackson’s promoter had sought event cancellation/non-appearance insurance coverage.  But  more...

They are the so-called “cluster” cases:  four individual bodily-injury claims settled by Ontario courts in 2006 and 2007. And the damages for injury to each person was in excess of $10 million.  For those of us concerned about the potential cost of legal liability, these cases set a dubious “high water mark”. Question: who pays  more...