Who Can I talk to for Advice About My Car Accident? Lawyer Client Privilege in Ontario

There are a few professionals we have relationships with, who we trust are required to keep our private conversations confidential. It is generally believed that your family doctor, perhaps a family counselor or even a member of the clergy, can’t share personal information about you revealed to them during conversations behind closed doors.

After a serious accident involving personal injury, or a product liability case where you may have been hurt, you will likely be in contact with several professionals as part of your treatment plan.
The truth, however, is that there are circumstances where a doctor or other professional is bound to share information about you, whether it be for the purposes of a court trial, or in an extreme case, for the safety of yourself or others. There is only one professional who cannot be compelled to disclose information you share with them, and that person is your lawyer.

Your Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer

You see, once you’ve hired an Ontario injury lawyer for the purposes of listening to your case and offering advice, no one, not even the courts can require your Ontario injury lawyer to share the information you have disclosed.  It can get tricky here, though. Should you decide to tell your doctor, a co worker or anyone else about  any conversation you’ve had with your lawyer or solicitor – it is no longer considered to be  privileged information and can be used in court.

The moral of the story here is that you are the only person who is actually capable of  breaking your solicitor client privilege, so you must always keep the conversations between yourself and your lawyer, as well as important details of your car accident or other personal injury case to yourself.

The Canadian Bar Association offers more about the history and details of Solicitor and client privilege and confidentiality from the perspective of in-house counsel here.

It is always best to consult with a personal injury lawyer who will listen to the details of your case and offer ways to help you reach a quick, fair settlement. Call us at 1-800-563-6348 or contact an Ontario Injury Lawyer today for answers to your questions about your personal injury lawsuit.