The ESSENTIAL annual event for everyone working in the Accident Benefits field.
Get fully current on key recent decisions and developments.
Expert practitioners, medical experts, judges, and adjudicators will give you valuable perspectives on the latest key developments and pressing issues and address the key caselaw, administrative/procedural developments, and best practices that you need to succeed in this demanding and fast-moving area of law.
Designed to provide realistic solutions to the issues you can expect to face regularly, don’t miss this opportunity to get fully up-to-date in this key area of personal injury practice.
Can’t Make the Date? Registration includes 120-day unlimited, online access to the recorded program.
What You’ll Learn
An expert faculty, reflecting both applicants’ and respondents’/insurers’ perspectives, will cover:
Applying the Charter and Human Rights Code in SABS cases
Navigating professional duties and common ethical challenges in AB practice
Evolving approaches and litigation strategies under the Minor Injury Guideline
Key developments in CAT
Top Cases of the Year: highlights and lessons for practitioners
Practical insights from Insurance Adjusters on handling AB cases
Changes to SABS, including the impact of optional IRBs
Structured Settlements update: current trends and best practices
Who Should Attend
Personal injury lawyers (plaintiff’s/applicant’s and defendant’s/insurers’, including in-house insurance company litigation counsel) in Ontario
Paralegals and litigation law clerks
Insurance adjusters and claims examiners
Accident benefits claims adjudicators
Faculty
Program Chairs
Melinda Baxter
Senior Counsel, Definity
Alexander M. Voudouris
Senior Litigator, Pace Law Firm
Instructors
Gerry Antman
Koskie Minsky LLP
Dr. Dory Becker
Ph.D, C.Psych, Omega Medical Associates
Cara L. Boddy
Partner, Evans Philp LLP
Suzanne Clarke
Zarek Taylor Grossman Hanrahan LLP
The Hon. Justice David L. Corbett
Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Sharon C. Dagan
Senior Counsel, Practice Group Leader – Accident Benefits, Travelers Canada
“I learned a lot from the panel who hosted the most important AB related cases over the previous 12 months. ”
Agenda
9:00 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
Program Co-Chairs introduce the day’s agenda, highlight themes, and set the stage for discussion.
9:10 a.m. Top Accident Benefits Cases of the Year
A rapid-fire review of the year’s most important decisions, what they mean for counsel, and how to use them in practice.
Suzanne Clarke, Zarek Taylor Grossman Hanrahan LLP
9:55 a.m. The Charter, Human Rights Code, and SABS
How do constitutional and human rights considerations intersect with statutory accident benefits? This session unpacks evolving challenges in accommodation, equality rights, and statutory interpretation in the AB context.
10:25 a.m. Break
10:40 a.m. The MIG: Current Trends and Contested Issues
Explore the evolving role of the Minor Injury Guideline in claims and litigation. Hear the latest decisions and practical advocacy strategies for navigating disputes.
Lori J. Sprott, Legal Counsel – Claims, Intact Insurance Company
11:15 a.m. Catastrophic Impairment: Criteria 8, and Reliance on Experts Reports and Testimony
A focused discussion on current issues in CAT determinations—excluding the widely covered mental/behavioural and GCS criteria. Learn where disputes are most common and how adjudicators are approaching borderline cases.
Dr. Dory Becker, Ph.D, C.Psych, Omega Medical Associates
12:00 p.m. Lunch Break
1:00 p.m. Ethical Challenges in Accident Benefits Practice
We tackle conflicts of interest, professional obligations in high-stakes claims, dealings with vulnerable clients, and the boundaries of zealous advocacy.
Sharon Dagan, Senior Counsel, Practice Group Leader – Accident Benefits, Travelers Canada
1:40 p.m. Insurance Adjusters’ Perspectives on AB Claims
Gain an insider’s view of how adjusters approach claims management, what they see as common pitfalls, and where counsel can add value—or inadvertently complicate matters.
2:15 p.m. Judicial Review and Accident Benefits: A View from the Bench
Judicial insights into reviewing LAT decisions on AB disputes, and the broader implications for standard of review, remedies, and fairness.
The Honourable David L. Corbett, Ontario Superior Court of Justice
2:45 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. Quick Hits: Legislative and Practice Updates
Optional IRBs under the SABS
Developments in structured settlements
Cara Boddy, Evans Philp LLP
Phil Thorpe, Vice President, Structured Settlement Consultant, McKellar Structured Settlements
3:30 p.m. Fireside Talk: Advocacy in AB Disputes
A free-flowing, conversational exchange among the co-chairs and seasoned counsel on effective advocacy—before adjusters, at the LAT, and on review.
4:00 p.m. The Evolution of LAT
The Licence Appeal Tribunal’s continuing evolution in terms of jurisdiction and procedure, including an analysis of the Divisional Court’s 2025 Botbyl v. Heartland decision about relief from forfeiture.
Substitution of registrants is permitted at any time prior to the start date of the program. If you are unable to find a substitute, a full refund is available if a cancellation request is received in writing 14 days prior to the start of the program. If a cancellation request is made with less than 14 days notice, an administrative fee equal to 20% of the program cost, to a maximum of $250 will apply per person. Payment is required to receive access to the program.
We will make every effort to present the program as advertised, but it may be necessary to change the date, location, speakers or content with little or no notice. In the event of program cancellation, York University’s and Osgoode Hall Law School’s liability is limited to reimbursement of paid fees.
As law evolves, we know how important it is to stay up to date. We also understand the financial implications of continuously upgrading your professional skills and knowledge. For more information on available options, including Job Grants, OSAP, please visit:
“Overall, the program was informative, educational and relevant! I overall appreciated listening to all the speakers in each segment. The program overall was well put together and I would highly recommend others to enroll in next years program.”
CPD and Accreditation
OsgoodePD is an accredited provider with the LSO, the Law Society of BC and NY CLE Board. Select your location to view the eligible hours you may claim.
Are you a law graduate or an executive/senior professional with at least 5 years of specialized experience? Consider a full-time or part-time LLM degree.
Stay competitive with deep dives into the most critical issues in law. Taught by leading experts and designed for flexible learning, choose from multi-day programs or take courses at your own pace to build towards a certificate.
Do you have an LLB/JD? Consider taking a single LLM course for deeper learning in a specific area of practice – all credits will apply towards a Professional LLM.
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Many of our programs include 120-day unlimited, online access to view the recorded program. See the program page or brochure to find out if the program you’re interested in includes this access. If you need more time to view the content, or have questions about the access, please email: OPDSupport@osgoode.yorku.ca.
If the program includes access to the recording, you will have unlimited online access to the recorded content for 120-days from the end date of the program.
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CPD hours for each program can be found on the program web page and program brochure. For questions regarding CPD hours, please email cpd@osgoode.yorku.ca
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Yes. We do offer group rates on our programs. Please visit our group rate page for more information. Some exceptions apply, and rates are subject to change.
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OsgoodePD programs can be counted towards professional development requirements with regulatory bodies across Canada and the US. OsgoodePD is an accredited provider of professionalism content with the LSO. OsgoodePD is an accredited provider with the Law Society of British Columbia. Please email cpd@osgoode.yorku.ca or refer to your regulatory body to ensure compliance – online program viewing varies by jurisdiction.
Client and Technical Support
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