Canada Day Safety

We are looking forward to a relaxing Canada Day at a provincial park-- away from it all. However, undoubtedly our kids will insist at about 8 p.m. that we hightail it downtown to watch the fireworks over Parliament Hill.

Despite the crush of being surrounded by a hundred thousand of our closest friends, this is still probably a wise idea. Do-it-yourself fireworks can be a problem. Canada does not keep statistics on injuries from fireworks. However, in May 1998 the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program examined its information for this type of injury. There were 175 fire-works-related injuries. 42% of the injuries were to kids aged 10 to 14.

Your odds probably don't improve if you have enjoyed a few cold ones over the course of the day...

At minimum, if you are going to use consumer fireworks, follow these important safety tips from the Canada Safety Council:

*Purchase your fireworks from a reliable source that sells products meeting safety standards.
*Stay away from illegal firecrackers and do not improvise and make your own fireworks.
*Read the Instructions, cautions and warnings on each firework item.
*Store unused fireworks in a closed box away from the firework being lit and do not smoke around the fireworks.
*Set up outdoors in a clear, open space. Light fireworks on a hard, flat and level surface to insure stability.
*Check the wind and have the wind blowing away from the spectators.
*Spectators should be at least 25 feet away from display, keeping special supervision on children.
*Have a bucket of sand, supply of water and a working fire extinguisher on hand.
*Only adults (18 years or over) should handle the fireworks. If you are impaired (alcohol or drugs) do not handle the fireworks.
*Light only one firework item at a time.
*Wear protective eye glasses and gloves. Light at arm’s length and then stand back.
*Never lean over the fireworks and keep hair and clothes away from fire sources.
*Never attempt to re-light a “dud” or defective firework.
*Never hold a lighted firework item in your hand.
*Sparklers should be immersed in a bucket of sand to cool down after burning out, as they remain very hot for some time.
*Fireworks should be disposed of safely and properly.

So, Happy Canada Day but BE SAFE!

A Different Kind of Law Firm

We try to do the opposite of what other law firms do. That seems to work for us. Check out the Yellow Pages if you want proof. No two-page spread for us. Instead we have a tiny box inviting people to order our free book.

Why?

Well, in our view what people really need after an accident is information. You can't say anything meaningful in the Yellow Pages. But a 27-page book? Lots of important tips and information, including:

-29 Steps to Take After an Accident

-7 Common Misconceptions about Your Accident

-The Steps of a Law Suit...

and more.

Obviously some people will order the book and then not hire us to represent them. Is that okay? Absolutely. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is, well, personal. You have to feel the fit is right.

Plus, many people who read the book realize they don't need a lawyer and reach a settlement with the insurance company on their own, often using our tips and suggestions. This is also perfectly alright.

However, for many other people, the book establishes a relationship with our firm and helps accident victims realize that they have stumbled upon a law firm that is keen on communication, speaks their language and knows a thing or two about accidents.

Why don't you order the book to see which category you fit into? It's free and available on our website http://www.ottawalawfirm.ca/ or by emailing info@ottawalawfirm.ca. You can call for it too if you want: 613.233.4529.

Oh, sorry. The book is not available to you if you work for an insurance company or if you are an insurance defence lawyer.

Ottawa Facing Longer Medical Wait Times

Worrisome news for Ottawans... The head of the provincial wait time committee says Ottawa is lagging behind in the improvement of wait times for medical services. Significantly, the areas' medical facilities did not meet their wait time targets for certain services like MRIs and knee replacements.

In another article earlier in the week, the Ottawa Hospital was proposing to free up beds by having elderly patients transfered to home care. Sounds like squeezing the balloon to us. There may be a few more hospital beds if they elderly are kept home but the publicly-funded home care capacity of the Community Care Access Centres is also strapped, chronically underfunded and struggling to meet demand.

There has to be another solution...

Two Women Die Near Stittsville

Sadly, two women died on Saturday when one car was struck head-on by another car that drifted into the wrong lane. There is one survivor of the crash who is in stable condition, although one of the victims was his wife. The couple was visiting Ottawa from the maritimes.

Neighbours in the area are wondering about the role that contruction near the accident site may have played in the accident. However, police are not confirming that this was a factor. The police are stressing the need for drivers to stay focused on the roads. With construction everywhere and the kids out of school, this is important advice.

Buckle Up Baby!

An important reminder to parents of young children was in Friday's Ottawa Citizen. A baby boy was spared serious injury in an accident between a minivan and a Para Transpo bus near Trainyards and Belfast Road. Apparently, his properly secured car seat gets the credit for his well-being. Unfortunately, a 21-year-old female driver and her 15-year-old passenger received more serious injuries. The article does not explain how the accident happened.

Welcome to our Blog

Thanks for checking us out.

Auger Hollingsworth is a boutique litigation firm in Ottawa that focuses on personal injury cases and criminal defence. Some people might think that is an odd combination, but we don't. In both practice areas we fight for the little guy against BIG government, BIG insurance and BIG business. We truly are advocates for individuals. That's what sets us apart.

Anyway, we hope you enjoy the postings and we look forward to hearing from you.

By the way, if you want to know more about our firm, we're at www.ottawalawfirm.ca.