For Diamond and Diamond partner Darryl Singer, the decisions are a long-overdue recognition of what victims and plaintiffs’ counsel have been saying for years. In a recent National Magazine article on social media’s evolving standard of care, Darryl said the U.S. rulings give credence to claims that platforms have caused real, measurable harm — and that they will make it “very, very difficult for the social media companies to defend the class actions and the mass torts that have arisen across Canada and the U.S., including ours.”

Why these verdicts matter north of the border

Canadian courts don’t apply U.S. decisions automatically, but American cases can still be highly persuasive — especially when the underlying facts and the products at issue are identical. The algorithms that Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube deploy in Toronto are the same ones they deploy in Los Angeles. The design features alleged to cause compulsive use, sleep disruption, anxiety, and exposure to harmful content don’t change at the border.

Darryl told National Magazine that while it is unusual for a Canadian case to lean on U.S. precedent, he intends to draw directly on the Los Angeles County decision in the class action Diamond and Diamond is assembling — including, where appropriate, some of the same expert evidence.

A shift in how courts view platform design

Earlier cases against social media platforms often stalled on the question of whether a company could be held responsible for what its users posted. The recent U.S. verdicts took a different route: rather than focusing on user-generated content, they examined how the platforms were engineered to distribute and amplify that content, and how those design choices affected young users. That framing matters for Canadian litigation too. It moves the conversation from “what did a user say?” to “what did the company build, and what did it know?”

What it means for Canadian families

Diamond and Diamond is putting together a class action for young people in Canada whose mental health has been affected by social media use. If your child has experienced anxiety, depression, disordered eating, self-harm, or other mental health effects tied to heavy social media use, you may have a claim.

The U.S. verdicts are not the last word, and Canadian courts will reach their own conclusions on their own record. But the direction of travel is increasingly clear: platforms are going to have to answer for the products they build, not just the content they host.

If you or a family member has been affected, contact the team of personal injury lawyers at Diamond and Diamond to discuss your options. Consultations are confidential and there is no cost to speak with our team.

The post What Recent U.S. Social Media Verdicts Mean for Canadians Harmed by Big Tech appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

The insurer denied benefits, arguing the injuries were the result of an assault rather than the “use or operation” of a vehicle. However, Adjudicator Kate Grieves found the incident severable into two phases: an initial assault and a subsequent accident. While the assault initiated the event, the Tribunal ruled that “but for” the operation of the vehicle in reverse, the specific leg injuries would not have occurred.

The Tribunal applied the “purpose” and “causation” tests, concluding that reversing a car is an ordinary activity of an automobile. Despite the respondent’s argument that the assault was an intervening act, the Adjudicator held that the dominant feature of the second phase was the use of the car, which directly caused the impairment. This decision allows the applicant to move forward with his claim for benefits.

This successful result, achieved with the assistance of Tania Fleming and Michael Blois, reinforces that victims may still qualify for accident benefits even when a criminal act precipitates a collision. The Tribunal has ordered a resumption of the case conference to address the substantive benefits in dispute.

The post Soukamneuth v. Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance Company: Was the incident an “accident”? appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

The post Have you recently been involved in an aviation injury? We can help. appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

To compile the annual “Top Lawyers List,” the selection process involves gathering insights from those who know the candidates best—their peers in the legal community. Over 2,000 attorneys across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are surveyed, asking them to name colleagues they would personally recommend based on their experience and expertise. Hundreds of nominations are reviewed, and the final selection highlights 377 attorneys recognized for their contributions and excellence in various areas of law.

This list, a trusted resource for Torontonians, is in its fourth year and has gained popularity on platforms like Google, where searches for top lawyers in Toronto often lead to this guide. The magazine acknowledges and thanks the lawyers who took the time to nominate their peers, showcasing those considered the best in their respective fields.

“We are incredibly honoured to see our team members recognized in this year’s Streets of Toronto Toronto’s Top Lawyers 2024 list”. This acknowledgment reflects not only their contributions but also the commitment of the entire firm to excellence and advocacy,” says Jeremy Diamond, a senior partner at Diamond and Diamond Lawyers. “At Diamond and Diamond, our mission is to stand by our clients during difficult times and deliver the best possible outcomes. Recognition like this reaffirms that our efforts are making a meaningful impact.”

Meet “Toronto’s Top Lawyers 2024” from Diamond and Diamond Lawyers

Jeremy Diamond

Sandra Zisckind

Isaac Zisckind

Corey J. Sax

Diamond and Diamond Lawyers’ recognition in the Streets of Toronto list for 2024 reflects the firm’s deep-rooted commitment to advocating for the rights of accident victims and vulnerable individuals in Toronto and across Canada. Their approach combines empathy with a relentless pursuit of justice, ensuring clients receive comprehensive support during challenging times.

For over a decade, Diamond and Diamond Lawyers have provided high-quality legal services focusing on personal injury, real estate law, and civil litigation. Their team commits to helping clients achieve fair compensation and favorable outcomes, building a reputation as Canada’s largest injury law firm*.

For more information, please visit diamondlaw.ca.

*Size measured by number of lawyers

The post Diamond and Diamond Lawyers Recognized in Streets of Toronto Magazine’s “Toronto’s Top Lawyers 2024” appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

>> Read the full press release here

The post Diamond and Diamond Files National Class Action Lawsuit Against Three Canadian Universities appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

Toronto, ON – Diamond and Diamond Lawyers have initiated a class action lawsuit concerning
alleged anti-Semitic incidents at York University. The lawsuit targets both York University and
the York Federation of Students.

>> Learn more about Class Action here

The lawsuit represents current students, recent alumni, and attendees from 1998-2021.

The plaintiffs allege they have been made to feel unsafe on campus, silenced, forced to hide
their Jewish identity, been harassed, and even threatened with physical violence.

The defendants are alleged to have shown negligence, specifically in failing to address anti-
Semitic incidents, violating York’s non-discrimination policies, and providing insufficient staff
training on handling harassment.

“York University has not upheld its commitment to its own guidelines and policies, particularly
those vital for ensuring student safety,” states Sandra Zisckind, Managing Partner at Diamond
and Diamond Lawyers. “Owning the campus space in question, they are legally obligated to
demonstrate accountability.” The plaintiffs are looking for immediate action to ensure their
safety and prevent future incidents.

The Plaintiffs highlight a consistent pattern of behaviour, referencing incidents from as early as
2009. In one such incident, Jewish students at York University took shelter from anti-Semitic
protesters in the Hillel office after attending a meeting about teacher assistant strikes.

“Any behaviour that promotes hate, violence, discrimination, or disrupts the educational
environment, as outlined in the ‘Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities,’ indicates a
failure in the University’s duty of care and contradicts its foundational values of respect, equity,
and civility,” said Darryl Singer, head of class actions at Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

Diamond and Diamond Lawyers are also considering initiating similar class actions at other
universities where comparable incidents have taken place. Those who believe they have
experienced anti-Semitism at York University or any other post-secondary establishment within
Canada are encouraged to contact Diamond and Diamond Lawyers at 1-800-567-HURT.

>> Learn more about Class Action here

Media Contact: Jordan Whelan – (416) 909-6097.

The post Diamond and Diamond Files Class Action Suit against York University and York Federation of Students appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

The former cadets filed a $300-million lawsuit against the Canadian Cadet Program over allegations of sexual misconduct. The Canadian government oversees the cadet program under the Department of National Defense. Blois has stated that the highly sexualized environment within the Canadian Armed Forces has also seeped into the cadet program. The case, which could go back 20 years, alleges that the government failed to protect cadets from abuse and hold abusers accountable.

In this news podcast, the victims were encouraged to come forward and contact the law firm, Diamond and Diamond, which is handling the case.

>>Listen to the full podcast episode here

The post Diamond and Diamond Lawyer Discusses Class Action Lawsuit Against Canadian Cadet Program on the Todd Veinotte Show appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

Personal injury advertising was a relatively unexplored area within Canada and we sought to plug full steam ahead after consulting with American success story, Celino and Barnes.

Our first radio ad was on a Toronto FM station called Z103.5 and our mission was not only to be at the forefront of advertising but to also deliver unparalleled service to our clients. We gave out our personal numbers to clients and answered them around the clock. We always envisioned the firm as an extension of our family. Our clients remain everything to us.

We expanded offices one by one, so much so that we now offer 16 locations with over 65 lawyers, making us the biggest personal injury firm in the nation.

We are eternally grateful for the support from the public who have sent us letters, referred family and friends and defended us through and through. Thank you for reminding us that word of mouth is the greatest impetus for growth.

Timeline:

2013: The firm is under new ownership. Our first location in North Toronto with radio buys on z1035 and Newstalk 1010 (CFRB).

2014: Our media buy grows with advertising on Toronto Transit, as well as further radio and television buys. We also announce our partnership with the Toronto Raptors! Furthermore, Diamond and Diamond sued York University for 20.5 million garnering national media attention.

2015: A hiring blitz! Our team grows to more than 50+ as we open new offices across Ontario. Lucky number 13. Plus, a partnership with NHL team, The Ottawa Senators

2017 and 2018: Diamond and Diamond goes full service offering wills and estates, real estate and develops a civil litigation division, headed by esteemed lawyer, Darryl Singer. Plus, a partnership with football powerhouse, The BC Lions.

2019: Our class action lawsuit against Capital One is filed on behalf of individuals affected by a data breach

2020: Diamond and Diamond launches Canada’s largest COVID-19 lawsuit against long-term care providers on behalf of families who lost loved ones during the pandemic, due to inadequate protocols and testing.

2021: Our U.S. expansion with our new office in Miami.

2022: Our 10 years anniversary party announcing we are Canada’s largest injury firm with over 65 lawyers. An unforgettable moment to reflect on the thousands of clients we have fought tirelessly for.

Even with our rapid expansion, we will always remember our core mission. We remain the law firm for the every man, highly accessible and devoid of elitism. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for an incredible ten years.

The post Diamond and Diamond celebrates its 10 year anniversary appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

Learn more about this story via @cbcnews:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cadet-sexual-misconduct-1.6712904

The post Diamond Law Partner, Michael Blois, discusses the systemic sexual misconduct problem prevalent in the Canadian Cadet program appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.

What you need to know:

Whereas the intent of the legislation is to make housing more affordable to Canadians, only time will tell whether or not the legislation will impact the Canadian market. If you’re unsure of the implications of this legislation on your transaction, the best path is to seek professional advice. 

LOOKING FOR A REAL ESTATE LAWYER?

We have the knowledge and experience to assist in your real estate transaction. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation.

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The post Double Edged Real Estate Legislation Came Into Effect January 1, 2023 & What You Need to Know appeared first on Diamond and Diamond Lawyers.