Local lawyers sign on for veteran initiative

Two local lawyers were among the first to sign up when a lawyers association decided last month to help Canada’s veterans.

The Ontario Trial Lawyers Association launched a program Wednesday called Trial Lawyers for Veterans. The association will represent veterans looking for disability benefits from the federal government.

When OTLA approved the idea unanimously last month, local lawyers Dan Newton and Duncan MacGilllvray jumped at the chance to help.

"Those people have made sacrifices on our behalf so we’re just trying to pay back a little that way I guess so we would take these cases on at no cost," said Newton who is also the OTLA director for Northwestern Ontario.

The OTLA wanted to help veterans after hearing numerous stories of injured soldiers being denied benefits by Veterans Affairs Canada.

Newton said he’s not aware of any cases like that happening in Northwestern Ontario, but he hopes now that the OTLA program has started, regional veterans will become aware that help is available.

"I don’t even know if it’s something that people would think about calling a lawyer about," Newton said.

Members of OTLA represent people’s claims against insurance companies and other organizations in their day-to-day work so they have experience in cases similar to veterans’ claims, Newton said.

"The work that we’d be doing for the veterans is very similar to the work that we’re already doing,” Newton said. “It’s just a different forum.”

Veterans’ claims generally go through Veterans Affairs Canada with appeals to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.

Anyone looking for help through the program can call Newton or MacGillvray at 807-346-0000.