◊ FIRM HISTORY AND PROFILE
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◊ ACCIDENT & INJURIES
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| Personal Injury | Disability Insurance |
| Employment Law | Civil Litigation |
| Real Estate | Family Law |
| Mediation | Corporate and Commercial |
| Criminal Law | Wills and Estates |
Aylward, Chislett & Whitten is a full service law firm dedicated to providing prompt and thorough legal advice and representation of our clients for reasonable fees. We value your decision to choose us as your law firm and are confident you will be impressed with our level of service. Our main source of new business has been referrals from former clients.
PERSONAL INJURY
Aylward, Chislett & Whitten successfully handles many accident and injury claims each year. Our team of lawyers has considerable experience and expertise in dealing with the full range of injuries from the most minor to the most severe. These claims have involved motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, malpractice, slip and fall. We have also successfully represented victims of sexual abuse.
Your initial consultation will help you recognize the choices facing you and make informed decisions. There is no charge for initial consultations.
What You Can Claim:
- Lost income or sick leave and loss of future income
- Employment Insurance accident benefits, and in some cases Canada Pension Plan disability benefits
- Housekeeping and babysitting expenses
- Benefits to compensate you for pain, discomfort, and disruption of your daily routine. Section B accident benefits under your own insurance policy for medical and related expenses.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer:
There are many good reasons to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
- Gathering all relevant evidence to support your claim
- Taking proper procedures to protect your claim. In some cases, immediate action has to be taken to preserve the claim, for example if you are injured by an unidentified vehicle
- Assisting you in statements to any adjusters or parties
- Advising you of your rights including entitlement to payment of interim medical expenses, weekly wage loss benefits and disability insurance benefits.
DISABILITY INSURANCE
Disability insurance policies generally provided for disability payments during an initial period if you are disabled from performing the normal duties of your own occupation followed by a period when disability benefits are paid if you cannot work at any occupation.
If your disability benefits have been denied by an insurer you should have a lawyer review your claim. Disability insurers sometimes tell claimants that they can have the decision to deny benefits 'reviewed' through an 'appeal' process within the insurance company. It has been our experience that these internal review processes accomplish nothing. Moreover claimants are consequently delayed in obtaining proper legal advice and enforcing their rights through litigation. A lawyer's letter is more likely to result in the insurer deciding to pay your benefits. We have often successfully challenged an insurers who have denied disability benefits to persons who are not able to work at their own employment or other employment.
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EMPLOYMENT LAW
Your employer cannot terminate your position or unilaterally change your job or without giving you reasonable notice or compensation. If you have lost your job, been demoted or been discriminated against by your employer, you should speak to a lawyer. Even if you suspect that your employer may be investigating you or is about to breach its obligations, you should contact a lawyer right away.
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CIVIL LITIGATION
A civil lawsuit is based on an allegation that a person's legal rights have been violated. In addition to our other Practice Areas we have a broad based Civil Litigation practice. We understand the law and the Courts and make sure that all of the facts to support your case are on the table.
Whether you are a plaintiff or defendant, we guarantee the effective and forceful presentation of your case. Our firm will maintain open lines of communication with your adversary in appropriate cases to win settlement out of Court. We will spend the time necessary to ensure that you are well-prepared, comfortable and effective if your testimony is required.
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REAL ESTATE
The purchase or sale of your home is a big move in your life. Allow us to make your transaction go smoothly. You can contact us before the agreement of purchase and sale has even been signed for free advice to ensure the agreement is fair to you.
Our lawyers and staff have helped many homeowners. Allow us to help you make your move hassle free.
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FAMILY LAW
Family breakdown is a difficult and stressful event. We will assist you through this difficult time by advising you of your rights and obligations and acting on your behalf in negotiating an agreement that protects your interests and those of your children. We will make every attempt to achieve a fair settlement of your case out of court so as to minimize the financial cost and the stress to you and your family. However, should any or all of the issues prove incapable of resolution by agreement, we will take all necessary court actions to ensure that your interests are protected.
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MEDIATION
Mediation is a process which assists you in resolving conflict out of court. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, a mediator will not make a decision for you. Instead a mediator will assist you in attempting to settle your own problem by allowing you and your opponent to negotiate in a safe atmosphere. A mediator will ensure that all communication is relevant and respectful.
At Aylward, Chislett & Whitten we have considerable training and experience both in mediating disputes and in representing clients in the mediation process. We can provide mediation services to assist you in reaching a settlement of your legal dispute. We can also advise and represent you if you are a party to a mediation.
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CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL
Aylward, Chislett & Whitten understands how to make corporate and commercial transactions happen the way you want them to happen. Whatever your business model, we will ensure your legal rights within the business are protected. Whether you are setting up, buying or selling a business, or buying or leasing commercial property, we have the knowledge and experience to assist you.
Our corporate commercial services include incorporations, reorganizations, share purchase and sales, asset purchase and sales, franchising, financing, contracts, leases and debt collection.
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CRIMINAL LAW
If you are charged or being investigated for an offence you need a qualified and committed legal representation. We will vigorously defend you and protect your rights at every step from the time of your first call. Our lawyers have extensive experience in dealing with criminal proceedings in Youth Court, Provincial Court and the Supreme Court. Whether you have been charged under federal or provincial laws, we can help. Each of our lawyers has experience doing both federal and provincial prosecutions. This experience gives us the perspective needed to get the best result for you.
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WILLS AND ESTATES
Aylward, Chislett & Whitten has extensive experience in preparing Wills and advising clients in many situations. Here is what we have done for clients who have asked our assistance in making their Wills.
- Advise you of measures to ensure your wishes for the custody of your children are respected;
- Advise you concerning choice of executor;
- Advise you about measures that will protect your beneficiary if you have concerns about his or her marriage or whether he or she is financially responsible;
- Draft your will to ensure proper measures taken to care for and educate young children and to ensure that they obtain their share of your estate on reaching the age you prefer. (If your Will simply states that your children take their share at age 25, they will be legally entitled to their share at age 19.);
- Claims can be made against your estate under the Family Relief Act, by persons claiming ownership of your property (especially joint accounts), or by persons claiming you agreed to look after them in your Will? We take measures to avoid the potential for such claims.
- Taking steps to ensure your Will is protected from a challenge on the basis of undue influence, incompetence or other legal grounds;
- Ensuring that your Will is not invalidated because of technical legal reasons that non-lawyers are usually not aware of.
We further prepare enduring powers of attorney for clients. In case you are no longer able to manage your own affairs, the person chosen as your attorney does so for you without the delays, expense and inconvenience of having the Registrar of the Court appointed to do so.
We also draft Advance Health Care Directives for clients. Do you want one person to make decisions about your medical treatment if you are unable to do so? What type of medical treatments do you want in cases of extreme illness?
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