Fearless Advocacy - The Dabor Trial

The lawyers, paralegals, and staff at Smitiuch Injury Law continue to fearlessly advocate for their clients at both trials and arbitrations. It is the philosophy of the firm to take cases to trial where the other side fails to make a fair and reasonable settlement offer. We have conducted numerous trials and arbitrations in recent years and do not shy away from challenging liability or damages cases. The case of Dabor et al. v. Southbram Holdings Limited et al. (CV-11-417735) is one such example.   On June 3, 2016, a Toronto jury returned a verdict in favor of our clients after three weeks of trial. This action arose from the Plaintiff's fall from a metal stud located above a drop-down ceiling to the floor ten feet below. The Plaintiff suffered a comminuted calcaneus (broken heal) and continues to suffer from significant pain.   This was a unique case in that the Plaintiff was an independent contractor performing regular work at a warehouse owned and occupied by the Defendant corporations. Neither of the parties had workers' compensation coverage. It was alleged by the Defendants that the Plaintiff was the author of his own misfortune and as an experienced contractor, he should have performed the work more carefully. In addition, they argued that the Plaintiff did not raise any safety concerns with the work he was being asked to perform and that he had in fact completed the same task safely one week before his fall.   Even before this case made it to trial, the Defendants had brought a summary judgment motion to try and put a stop to the lawsuit. Peter Cho of Smitiuch Injury Law successfully fought off this motion and the case continued on.   During the trial, we called numerous witnesses, including an orthopaedic surgeon, family physician, specialist pain doctor and a forensic accountant. In the end, the jury found the Defendants 38% responsible for failing to give clear instructions to the Plaintiff, failing to have a safe pathway above the ceiling and failing to provide the necessary equipment for the job. The jury assessed damages at $515,000.00 plus interest and the Plaintiffs beat the Defendants' formal offer to settle.   This verdict was significant because it serves as a warning to owners and occupiers of properties that they must ensure they have the right person to do the job and that their premises must be safe for the work intended to be performed.   Michael Smitiuch and Peter Cho were trial counsel for the Plaintiffs.