Toronto lawyers focusing on plaintiff-side personal injury and insurance litigation

What we Do

Long Term Disability Claims
If your application for Long Term Disability Benefits has been denied, or if your benefits were paid and then terminated, but you can’t return to work, call us for a no-charge initial consultation. We have successfully handled claims against almost all of Canada’s largest disability insurance companies – Manulife, Maritime Life, Sun Life, Clarica, Great West Life, Canada Life, National Life, Industrial Alliance, and others.  Usually, we can help get your benefits going again.  And if the insurance company has denied or withheld your benefits unreasonably, it may be liable to pay extra-contractual bad faith damages – including, in the most reprehensible cases, punitive and exemplary damages.

In today's world, disability claims based on conditions such as chronic pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, or depression are more and more common.  Insurance companies often deny claims based on these "invisible" illnesses, confident that the disabled person will give up.  Over the years, we have helped many clients who suffered from these conditions get the benefits they deserve.  Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. 

For more information, check out our LTD section of our FAQ.

For more information about depression, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, and other mood disorders, visit The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario's website at www.mooddisorders.on.ca.


Credit/Mortgage Disability Insurance Claims
When you borrowed money from the bank, you told your representative that you wanted insurance that would cover your payments in case you became sick or got injured and couldn’t work. So how come the insurance company won’t pay now that what you hoped would never happen has happened?

Call us. We’ve been helping consumers get the insurance benefits they paid for for years.


Bad Faith Insurance Claims
Insurance policies are contracts. If you sue your insurance company because it breached the contract, the court will normally make the insurance company pay only what it has to pay under the contract – no more.

But when an insurance company has unreasonably delayed or withheld payments, such as by ignoring evidence, performing a sloppy or incomplete investigation of your claim, or relying on a fabricated defence, the court can award extra-contractual damages for bad faith. These damages can include expenses that you have incurred (including interest payments, loss of RRSPs, or other expenses), damages for mental suffering, and, in the worst cases, punitive and exemplary damages to punish the insurance company for its vindictive and malicious conduct.

Rene Clonfero understands bad faith claims. If you think your insurance company has acted unreasonably in the handling of your claim, contact us for a free initial consultation.


Slip/Trip and Fall Claims
In Ontario, people who own or are in control of property have a duty to keep the property reasonably safe. This means that in winter, sidewalks and steps must be kept reasonably free of ice and snow. At all times of the year, steps, sidewalks, and floors must provide reasonable traction and be free of hazards or defects. Steps, curbs, and other areas must be adequately lit and have proper hand rails.

If you’ve slipped or tripped and fallen on someone else’s property because of an unsafe condition, call us.


Dog Bite/Attack Claims
In Ontario, the Dog Owners’ Liability Act makes the owner of a dog liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal. We have obtained compensation for a number of clients who suffered serious injuries and scarring as a result of dog attacks.


Product Liability Claims
Products that we use can sometimes hurt us. Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers must ensure that their products are fit for the purpose intended, and of merchantable quality. The products must be free of design or manufacturing defects. Proper warnings and instructions must accompany the product.

If you have been injured by a product, we may be able to obtain compensation for you.


Inadequate Security Claims
Landlords and businesses have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for tenants and customers. If you’ve been injured as a result of a violent crime, you may have the right to claim compensation against the owner or occupier of the premises where the crime took place. You may also have the right to obtain compensation through Ontario’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. We can help.

Are you a victim of crime?  The Canadian Crime Victim Foundation provides support and information for crime victims and their families.  Check out their web site: www.ccvf.net.

For more information about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, click here: www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/vw/cicb.asp


Claims Arising from Motor Vehicle Collisions
Although a succession of Insurance Act amendments implemented by the Ontario government since 1990 have restricted the right of the not-at-fault driver or passenger to obtain fair compensation as a result of a car crash, the right to sue in Ontario, contrary to popular belief, is very much alive. Even if the at-fault vehicle involved in the collision is unidentified or uninsured, you may still be entitled to compensation. We would be pleased to discuss your rights with you.

For more information about Ontario’s Automobile Insurance Scheme, click here to go to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario website: www.fsco.gov.on.ca

To contact your local Member of Provincial Parliament to ask why Ontario’s automobile insurance system is so unfair to injured consumers, click here to locate your MPP: www.electionsontario.on.ca/en/home_en.shtml


Wrongful Death Claims
Family members of a person killed as a result of the fault or neglect of another are entitled to compensation under Ontario law.

Several years ago, Rene Clonfero acted as co-counsel in a case called To v. Toronto School Board, a ground-breaking case dealing with the amount of compensation awarded to parents of a child killed while at school. For more information about Rene, click here.


Property Loss Insurance Claims
If you’ve had the misfortune of suffering a house fire, or other property damage, and the insurance coverage that you thought you had isn’t coming through, call us.


Environmental Claims
Furnace oil spill? Mould? If you have a claim arising from an environmental issue, we’d be happy to discuss it with you.

Back to About the Firm