Manufacturers’ Defences to Product Liability Claims

Introduction Product liability law is the name placed on a combination of several branches of the law, including contract, tort, government regulation, damages, and insurance. It is based on the theory that consumers rely on producers and sellers to ensure products are safe for use. This leads to a wide range of claims, issues and […]

April 2, 2019

Court Denies Plaintiff’s Application for an Advance or Periodic Payment

In White v. Meiting,1 the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador denied a plaintiff’s application for an advance or periodic payment. In doing so, the court clarified the criteria which must be satisfied by a plaintiff who seeks an advance payment of special damages pursuant to Rule 44A of the Rules of the Supreme Court, […]

New Occupational Health and Safety Regulations in New Brunswick: Addressing...

New Brunswick has introduced new regulations under the General Regulations – Occupational Health and Safety Act (“OHSA”) aimed at identifying and preventing workplace violence and harassment (the “New Regulations”). The New Regulations will take effect April 1, 2019. The New Regulations have been introduced to address problematic workplace conduct, including bullying, physical violence, verbal abuse, […]

February 12, 2019

New Regulations in Newfoundland and Labrador to Address Workplace Harassment...

Newfoundland and Labrador has recently announced upcoming revisions to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012 (the “New Regulations”). The New Regulations follow similar changes made last year in New Brunswick and attempt to tackle the issues of workplace harassment and violence. New Brunswick’s regulations, initially scheduled to come into force last September, are now […]

November 29, 2018

Parties, Cocktails & Cannabis – the Triple Threat for Host...

This is the first holiday season in the post-legalization of cannabis era. If, as an employer, you are planning a holiday gathering, you should be aware that you may be exposing your company to significant financial liability for the actions of an impaired guest. The concept of host liability is not new, but with the […]

Police in NL to Lead Workplace Investigations

Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial police service, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (the “RNC”), has recently begun working with Calgary Police Service to change how investigations of workplace incidents will be instituted.

June 25, 2018

Supreme Court of Canada Clarifies the Scope of Existing Duties...

In Rankin (Rankin’s Garage and Sales) v. J.J., 2018 SCC 19, the Supreme Court of Canada clarified how it will interpret existing duties of care, in the context of a personal injury arising from the theft of a vehicle stored at a commercial garage, and the evidentiary requirements for establishing novel duties of care.

Will Legalization Cause Workplace Safety To Go Up in Smoke?

The imminent legalization of marijuana is causing angst for many employers. Employers are unsure of how the issue can be dealt with in terms of prohibiting use in the workplace and addressing concerns of workplace safety.

April 10, 2018

Breaching Duty of Care: Can Individual Employees Be Personally Liable?

A recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal, Sataur v Starbucks Coffee Canada Inc., 2017 ONCA 1017, addressed the issue of whether individual employees can be personally liable for breaching a duty of care owed to a customer in the course of their employment.

November 28, 2017

Festive Feasts and Merry Martinis: Top 10 Tips to Minimize...

‘Tis the season for holiday parties. Cox & Palmer would like to remind employers about the steps they should take to minimize their liability risks arising from the consumption of alcohol by employees and their guests.