Positive results Ottawa Injury Lawyer Brenda Hollingsworth has won for her clients

Brenda Hollingsworth, a personal injury lawyer located in Ottawa, Ontario, is a committed advocate who fights tirelessly for her clients. Here are some highlights.

Just under $400,000 as a settlement to a woman in her 40's struck on Highway 417.   The trial was scheduled for September 2010.

A Lanark woman in her late 50's settled her vehicle roll-over case at mediation.   The insurance company delivered the settlement cheque on the spot.

An Almonte man received a settlement before examinations for discovery in a serious motor vehicle-truck-pedestrian case.   He had previously settled his claim for accident benefits.

An Ottawa gentleman in his mid-sixties settled his motor vehicle accident claim at mediation.  The man suffered from compressed nerves in his neck as a result of the three-car accident at Grand Bend.

Great settlement for a 64 year old woman with significant pre-accident conditions who was rear-ended on Merivale Road in Ottawa.

Healthy 6-figure settlement for woman who slipped and fell on a retailer's stairs.  Our client settled her case involving a fall down stairs which we alleged did not comply with the building code. 

Woman settles her case for soft tissue injury case for $70,000.  No examination for discovery or defence medicals were required for this Ottawa woman to get compensation for her injuries. She continues to receive accident benefits.

Settlement of more than $1.3 Million for a man injured in a single vehicle accident.  The man has very serious injuries and received this settlement from the accident benefit insurer.

Accident Benefit settlement of $110,000 achieved for Ottawa man in his 50's with soft tissue injuries.  The client had already received over $130,000 in accident benefits.  We had previously settled his claims against the at-fault drivers for an additional $140,000.

Accident Benefit arrears of $45,000 recovered for Ottawa mother of nine who did not have a lawyer until almost two years post-accident.  She now continues to receive accident benefits.

Accident Benefits arrears in excess of $10,000 recovered for an Ottawa senior citizen who was injured in an accident and who was trying to handle his claim on his own.  He now continues to receive the monthly statutory accident benefits that he is entitled to, but was not receiving. 

Nurse from Ottawa recovers damages after suffering a torn rotator cuff in a motor vehicle accident.  This single mother of two received compensation for her lost wages as well as healthy damages for pain and suffering.  She is now back at work full time. 

Ottawa woman in her 70's receives significant compensation after a slip on ice cream at a local department store.  The woman did not have to start a lawsuit as we were able to negotiate her settlement directly with the department store insurance company. 

64- year old Orleans widow receives substantial settlement after a slip and fall at a cottage causing a fractured ankle.  This case was brought under the Simplified Rules.  Our client did not need to attend for discovery.  We simply mediated a resolution.

84-year-old woman receives 6-figure settlement after being struck as a pedestrian.  An Alta Vista mother of four was awarded a healthy settlement, without starting a law suit, after she was hit by a motorist who drove up on the sidewalk. 

New Brunswick woman injured while visiting Ottawa receives a settlement.  Our Ottawa personal injury team obtained an excellent settlement for a woman who slipped and fell at a shopping centre.  The woman was never required to travel to Ottawa for the case.

Ottawa charity worker gets compensated for low impact, rear end accident. An Ottawa mother of two who worked at a charity shop was well compensated for her lower back injury without ever starting a law suit.  She has now returned to work.

Ottawa gentleman compensated for two accidents.  Ottawa injury lawyer Brenda Hollingsworth achieved an excellent 6-figure settlement for a man in his 50's who was injured in two motor vehicle accidents in late 2006.

Ottawa Valley lady compensated for dental mishap.   Our Ottawa personal injury lawyers negotiated a settlement for a woman who was injured in the dentist's chair. We did not need to start a claim.

An elderly gentleman received a settlement following a rear end collision on Preston Street in Ottawa.  This man in his 80's received a healthy six-figure settlement on account of nerve damage he suffered in a motor vehicle accident.  The case was resolved as soon as the claim was filed.

Pre-teen boy gets settlement when struck as a pedestrian.   A boy struck near Meadowlands and Prince of Wales Drive receives payment of a settlement for his pain and suffering.  He receives substantial compensation on his 18th birthday.

Ottawa Man suffers back injury and shoulder injury when struck as a pedestrian gets settlement.  A 50 year old father of two was struck from behind while walking on a residential street.  Brenda Hollingsworth negotiated a 6-figure settlement settlement for him. 

Man suffers eye injury when municipal lawn mower sprays debris gets settlement.   A Saskatchewan who was visiting Ottawa suffered an eye injury while riding a bicycle in a city park.  The personal injury lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth negotiated a settlement without having to start a law suit.    

Woman injured in a Tim Horton's Drive Thru gets Accident Benefit Settlement - A woman who was repeatedly denied accident benefits after her car accident in the drive-thru of a Tim Horton's coffee shop enjoyed a significant settlement from her accident benefit carrier after her lawyer filed for mediation.

Elderly gentleman's accident benefits finally paid up when he hires a lawyer-- We represent an 82 year old immigrant man whose insurer "forgot" to mention that he was entitled to accident benefits when he made his claim for the damage on his vehicle after he was rear-ended.  An astute family physician suggested his family look into what benefits may be available to him through his auto insurer.  Sure enough, with our help, he is now receiving accident benefits including a hefty 5-figure sum of arrears that had not been paid before he got a lawyer.

Woman compensated for slip and fall on icy sidewalk-- Our client received a very significant settlement after she slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk outside her home in Barrhaven.  She suffered a very serious compund fracture of her leg and ankle in the fall.  Witnesses described that there had clearly been no salting or sanding of the sidewalk despite freezing rain in the days leading up to the incident.  The claim resolved after a settlement conference, before trial. 

Grieving Family Compensated for Loss of Elderly Mother --Our clients' mother, in her nineties, was fatally injured after being struck in the parking lot of her nursing home.  The family received death benefits, attendant care and visitors' expenses from the accident benefit insurer with our assistance and also received a family law act settlement for the loss of their mother's companionship.

Friends Settle for More than Half a Million-- Our clients were injured in a motor vehicle accident involving three cars and the centre median on the Queensway (Highway 417).  Neither has worked since the accident due to chronic pain, depression and musculoskeletal injuries. After four years of rehabilitation, funded by the accident benefit insurer, they were compensated by the insurance company at a settlement conference held before a judge at the Ottawa Courthouse.

Single Mother Gets Settlement for Knee Injury--  Our client obtained an excellent settlement at mediation from both her accident benefits insurer and the insurer for the at-fault driver as a result of a meniscal tear in her knee that may require arthroscopic surgery.  She had been hit from behind while at a stop sign on Alta Vista.

Settlement for Child on A Bicycle -- Our young child client went through a stop sign on his bike on the way to the park and collided with a car.  We negotiated a fair settlement for this boy without having to start a law suit.

Another large Settlement for a Sexual Abuse Survivor--  After a lifelong struggle with shame and addiction our client who was abused by a priest as a child was awarded a six-figure sum without even having to start a law suit.

More than a Quarter of a Million Dollars for the Victim of Sexual Abuse by a Family Member -- Brenda represented a 48-year-old man who had been the victim of repeated sexual abuse as a child by a family member. Brenda negotiated a significant settlement at mediation. Prior court decisions indicated that the range of damages for sexual assault in Ontario were no higher than $200,000. Brenda was able to secure a result higher than in typical cases because she knew how to retain the right experts to support a substantial claim for damages. The defendant had been criminally convicted for the assault. Brenda's knowledge of criminal law was a major advantage because she knew how to use criminal proceedings to her client's full benefit. The day before the mediation, the opposing lawyer told her that in his opinion, this case was worth no more than $10,000. In the end, Brenda seized the perpetrator's equity in his house and the equity in the house he inherited from his mother, which was very satisfying for her client. Location: Ottawa, Ontario.

Substantial Settlement for Bicyclist Hit When Car's Driver Opened the Car Door -- Brenda represented a man, age 42, who suffered a shoulder injury in a motor vehicle accident. The man was riding his bicycle when the driver of a car parked on Montreal Road opened the car door without looking. The cyclist struck the door and flew over the handlebars of his bike, landing in the middle of the road. The cyclist absolutely did not want to go to court and did not want to see any specialists; however, he agreed to let Brenda negotiate an out-of-court settlement for him. The insurance company's initial offer was $20,000. The injured cyclist wanted to accept, but Brenda explained that she could get more money, even without retaining a medical expert. So, without filing a lawsuit, Brenda negotiated a settlement of more than double that, without incurring any expenses on the client's behalf. The client was back at work and cycling every day at the time he got his settlement, which he shared with family members who needed it. Location: Ottawa, Ontario.

Groundbreaking Decision Gives Disabled Ontarians a Voice -- Brenda represented roughly 150 families whose relatives lived in the Rideau Regional Centre near Smith Falls. The Rideau Regional Centre housed almost 430 people who have lived at the centre on average for 39 years. They were profoundly to severely handicapped with few, if any, verbal skills and operated at intellectual levels of young children. The government announced its decision to close the centre. Brenda applied for an injunction to stop the centre from closing until the families could be heard.

As a result of Brenda's Court application, the disabled adults now have the right to consent, or not, to a new placement in the community and are entitled to the placement that is in their best interests.

In its decision to award costs, the Court said: "The vast majority of these individuals and their substitute decision makers would not be expected to be heard from unless counsel were prepared, as they were here, to advocate their position. Furthermore, the quality of that advocacy was such as to greatly assist the Court." Location: Ottawa, Ontario.

Back to the Top

Seven-Figure Settlement Goes to Quadriplegic After Witness Recants Sworn Statement -- Brenda and her colleagues represented a young woman in her early twenties who, after a night on the town, was found sprawled at the bottom of the steps of her rented student accommodations. She became a quadriplegic as a result of the fall. The defendants in this case were the tavern that served her alcohol, the landlord of the house that may not have met certain building code standards and the municipality that may not have properly enforced the building code. Liability was a difficult issue because the defence theory was that the client was climbing in the window in an obviously unsafe manner, as she had admitted to doing in the past. As one of the lawyers representing this young woman, Brenda helped prepare the young woman for her testimony on discovery because the victim's credibility was key. In addition, on the eve of mediation, Brenda got a vital witness to recant from a sworn statement she had given to the defence, which was very damaging to the injured woman. The case settled for seven figures, but the amount cannot be disclosed because the settlement is confidential. Location: Guelph, Ontario.

Judge Resolves Shareholder Dispute Quickly With Large Award for Legal Costs - Brenda represented one of two equal shareholders of a Corporation that owned a property valued at a million dollars. Brenda successfully obtained a Court order imposing a shot-gun buy-sell mechanism between the two equal shareholders where the other shareholder strenuously resisted the order. Brenda's client also sought, and obtained, a repayment of his loans to the company. In addition, Brenda's client received a substantial award of legal costs. Considerable Obstacles: Brenda was able to get the case heard by a judge in just over a month, which is remarkable in Ontario. This proves that Brenda is willing to push and understands how to make the court resources work for her client. The opposing counsel was one of the most senior commercial litigation counsel in the city. And the judge did not even mention the other lawyer's two-hour argument in his reasons. Location: Ottawa, Ontario.

Back to the Top

Judge Orders Company to Divulge Name of Person Sending Harassing Email -- Brenda represented a person who received a secret, harassing email under a pseudonym. The telecommunications company refused name the person who sent the email. Brenda successfully obtained a Court order requiring the company to divulge the person's name. Internet Harassment claims are in a developing area of the law that is important to anyone in the public eye. Location: Ottawa, Ontario.

Judge Orders Web-Page Operator to Disclose Names of Users Defaming Brenda's Clients -- Brenda currently represents clients who were defamed by certain internet users in an internet forum. The web-page operator refused to disclose the identities of the users. Brenda successfully obtained a Court order requiring the web-page operator to reveal the names of the internet users. Now, armed with this information, Brenda is currently involved in litigation seeking damages for her clients for internet defamation. Location: Ottawa, Ontario.

Brenda Obtained a Judgment for $65,500 for Her Client Without Going to Trial -- Brenda represented a client who was owed money by someone who defrauded him in an elaborate scheme. Brenda obtained a judgment for $65,500 in favour of her client without going to trial. This represented the full amount of the debt, plus costs. Location: Ottawa, Ontario.

Back to the Top

Brenda Obtains Damages for her Client after Ex-Employee Quits and Steals Clients - Brenda represented an employer whose former employee left the business and set up a competing enterprise, taking employees and copying the employer's corporate look. Brenda sued the ex-employee and obtained damages from him. In addition, he changed his signage to avoid confusing the public. Location: Ottawa, Ontario.

Motion for Injunction Against Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Successfully Defeated -- Brenda and a colleague represented the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. A litigant brought a motion to prevent the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from calling for a vote on a controversial piece of legislation. The issue was whether the Constitution, and specifically the doctrine of parliamentary privilege, prevented the Court from interfering with the business of the legislature. Brenda argued that privilege prevailed and was successful. The Court did not issue an injunction. Location: Toronto, Ontario.

Criminal Charges Withdrawn by the Crown, No Criminal Record for Clients -- Brenda has represented different clients charged with mischief, impaired driving and assault causing bodily harm, among other charges. All of these charges were withdrawn by the Crown on the mornings of trial, without any criminal charges imposed. No client of Brenda facing criminal charges has ever received a criminal record relating to the charges Brenda was defending. Location: Ottawa, Ontario.

Back to the Top

Additional interesting cases:

Insurance Defence: Brenda represented a number of banks in their efforts to deny claims for benefits under mortgage life insurance policies. Brenda conducted detailed examinations for discovery relating to the existence of pre-existing medical conditions that would void insurance coverage.

Insurance Defence: Brenda represented an insurance company in various cases, including slips and falls and property damage claims. As a result, she is aware of various defence strategies.

Medical Malpractice: Brenda and her colleagues represented a woman who suffered a complete irreversible bowel failure after sustaining a fourth degree tear during childbirth. A home health nurse then wrongfully inserted a suppository. Brenda developed the damages brief including evidence regarding her loss of income and loss of enjoyment of life. Brenda met with and compiled expert reports dealing with the standard of care for nurses in this situation. Also, Brenda assisted in the preparation of the settlement memoranda and trial workup and attended settlement meetings. Brenda left this law firm before the case was resolved.

Medical Malpractice: Brenda and her colleagues worked on another medical malpractice case involving a compromised baby whose mother was given a drug during pregnancy that allegedly resulted in the stillbirth of one twin. The second twin was born with severe cerebral palsy. Brenda conducted the examination for discovery of the lead obstetrician on the case, and was involved in the development of the toxicology expert's report relating to the use of the drug during pregnancy. (Brenda's client was the public health insurer, which supports the plaintiff to recover its costs from the defendant).

Class Action: Brenda assisted in many individual and class action lawsuits against oral surgeons who implanted defective implants into the jaws of patients with temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) problems resulting in significant permanent damage. Brenda conducted examinations for discovery on behalf of the public health insurer of the oral surgeons, reviewed medical reports, including those prepared by experts, and did general trial preparation.

Class Action: Brenda played a significant role in the certification of a class action against the manufacturer of a defective heart valve and related products. The claim alleges that a coating on the heart valves was preventing the heart tissue from clinging to and growing into the valves, leading to leakage and other problems. Many implantees required surgical removal of the valves, while others did not survive long enough to receive replacement surgery.

Employment: Brenda has represented many clients who have been wrongfully terminated from their jobs. Brenda has obtained significant settlements for almost all of these clients, both through negotiation and through trial.

Education: Brenda has represented a number of children whose special needs are not being accommodated by their schools. In every case, Brenda has obtained the support these children require through negotiation to school board representatives.

Read about How to Sue an Insurance Company

Back to the Top