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Michael D. Laplante, LLB, CS

Michael D. Laplante

Email: m.laplante@fdtlaw.ca

Phone:  705.527.4555 x 9507

Michael spent six years practising for insurance defence firms in Vancouver and Toronto. Most of his B.C. experience came defending the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia in numerous motor vehicle actions. Mike joined litigation law firm Ferguson Barristers in 2002 as an associate and became a partner in 2007. He is certified as a Specialist in Civil Litigation by the Law Society of Upper Canada and was the managing partner of Ferguson Barristers LLP from 2007 to 2014.

Michael has argued motions, trials and appeals in both Ontario and British Columbia. He has argued before the Provincial and Supreme Courts of British Columbia as well as the B.C. Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. He has been before the Superior Court and Court of Appeal of Ontario as well as the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.

Mike’s practice has consisted almost entirely of serious personal injury claims and insurance disputes. While he began his career representing insurers he has exclusively represented injury victims since 2002.

Mike is a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, the Advocate Society, the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations, and the Simcoe County Law Association. He is an active supporter of the firm’s Canadian Paraplegic Association pro-bono legal clinic.

Since 2016, Mike has been ranked as repeatedly recommended by Lexpert in the area of personal injury.

Mike is also the marketing coordinator for FDT Law.

Reported Court Decisions

Kevin Schrobback et al v. Duane Latour, Lynn Dougan et al

A summary judgment motion for dismissal of a claim against Lynn Dougan for vicarious liability in a motor vehicle accident.

Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Toronto, Ontario
Lederer J.

Heard:  November 5, 2007

Plunkett v. McBride

A civil assault jury trial.

Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Guelph, Ontario
Harold J.

Heard:  May 14 -16, 2007

Economical Mutual Insurance Co. v. Wye

A Judgment of the Ontario Court of Appeal. An appeal of an Application against a homeowner’s insurance policy to require them to defend an action brought against Wye by her former employer.

Ontario Court of Appeal
Toronto, ON
McMurtry C.J.O., Goudge and Gillese JJ.A.

Heard: October 8, 2003
Oral Judgment: October 8, 2003
Released: October 16, 2003

Richmond v. Strickland

A decision of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. An application to the workplace safety and insurance appeals tribunal to determine whether workers were in the course of their employment when they were involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal
Toronto, Ontario
May 28, 2003 and April 23, 2004

Ryszard Kaminski v. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia

A Judgment of the B.C. Provincial Court. An action brought by Kaminski to recover the value of his allegedly stolen vehicle after insurance coverage had been denied by the insurer, ICBC.

The Provincial Court of British Columbia
New Westminster, British Columbia
Judge K.J. Husband
Held: July 13, 2000

Razak Abdurahamani v. Terrence Doyle and Argus Carriers Ltd. and Wolfe Chevrolet Geo Oldsmobile Ltd.

A decision of the B.C. Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal. An application to the B.C. WCB appeals tribunal to determine whether a worker was in the course of his employment when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident.

The Supreme Court of British Columbia
New Westminster, British Columbia
Panel Appointed: Cassandra Kobayashi

Westcan Glass Industries (BBV) a Division of HGP Glass Industries of Canada Inc. v. Elite Products Wholesale Ltd.

A decision of the B.C. Superior Court. An action brought by Westcan Glass as creditor to recover payment under a promissory note signed by Elite Products’ President.

British Columbia Supreme Court
New Westminster, British Columbia
Martinson, J.
Heard: September 30, 1998
Judgment: Filed October 30, 1998

Ray Cote v. JDR Coachworks and Fabrication (2005)

A contractual/employment trial revolving around the interpretation of the scope of an employment contract.

Ontario Supreme Court of Justice
Barrie, Ontario
Logan, J.
Heard: December 8, 9, 10, 2004 and January 6, 7, 19, 20, 2005.

Naginder Singh Gill dba GBS Trucking v. Inland Kenworth (2000)

A trial involving the enforcement and collection of a debt owed by Mr. Gill to Inland Kenworth.

BC Provincial Court
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Steinberg, J.,
Heard: February 9, 2000,

Jevco Insurance Company and Maplex General Insurance (2002),

An Arbitration under the Insurance Act regarding responsibility for a motor vehicle accident as provided by the Fault Determination Chart.

Arbitration before Bruce Robinson,
Heard: April 18 and 19, 2002.

Isabelle Siwoski v. Helen Lun et al (2000)

A judge alone trial involving a personal injury claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident.

BC Provincial Court
Burnaby, B.C.
Bruce, J.
Heard: January 20 and 24, 2000.

Hin Ho Leung v. Abdulkarim Jivani et al (1998)

A judge alone trial involving a personal injury claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident.

BC Provincial Court
Vancouver, B.C.
Werier, J.
Heard: February 11, 2000.

Dennis Guile v. Sio Cheung (1998)

A judge alone trial involving a personal injury claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident.

BC Provincial Court
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
DeCouto, J.
Heard: July 15, 1998.

Kaldip Mattu v. Amrik Singh Mattu et al (1999)

A summary trial involving a personal injury claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident.

Supreme Court of B.C.
Vancouver, B.C.
Romilly, J.
Heard: May 11, 1999.

Jens Biertumpel et al v. Farajollah Sarchami et al (1999)

A judge alone trial involving a personal injury claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident.

Provincial Court of B.C.
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Stone, J.
Heard September 29, 1999.

Pridoun Karimi v. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (1999)

A judge alone application dismissing a claim for property damage on the grounds that the plaintiff has made a wilfully false statement to the insurance corporation.

Provincial Court of B.C.
Burnaby, B.C.
Page, J.
Heard May 27, 1999.