Personal Injury Law
Practice Area Lead: Tracy Lyle
If you’ve been injured, you’re likely facing more than just physical pain. You may be dealing with financial stress, time away from work, and uncertainty about what comes next. At Nelligan Law, we’ve spent decades helping people in Ottawa and across Ontario move forward after an injury. Our goal is simple: to make the process easier for you and ensure you get the money and resources you need.
We offer free consultations for serious cases, so you can understand your rights and options without any pressure or obligation. From there, we’ll guide you through every step of your claim.
Our team brings decades of experience handling cases of all sizes and complexities. As a multi-practice firm, we also have direct access to lawyers in areas like employment and estates – because personal injury cases often intersect with other legal issues. This means you get comprehensive advice and solutions, with no stone left unturned.
We take on the paperwork, negotiations, and legal hurdles so you can focus on your recovery and your loved ones. Whether your case involves a motor vehicle accident, a slip and fall, medical malpractice, catastrophic injuries, or an insurance dispute, we’re here to help you secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. We also work to connect you with resources that support your recovery and quality of life.
If you or a loved one has been injured, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward moving forward.
How we support
Car and Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car, motorcycle, truck, and bus accidents are among the most common injury cases we see, but each one is personal and often life-changing. Injuries can lead to time off work, mounting expenses, and uncertainty about how to navigate Ontario’s insurance system. Even straightforward-seeming crashes often involve complex rules, strict deadlines, and disputes about fault or access to benefits.
Our team helps people injured in motor vehicle accidents of all types, including collisions involving pedestrians, cyclists, public transit, and multi-vehicle crashes. We explain your rights, help you understand what compensation may be available, and take over communication with insurance companies so you can focus on recovering. We gather the evidence your case needs, negotiate fair compensation for your injuries and losses, and represent you in court if settlement isn’t possible. Our goal is to guide you through the process clearly and supportively at a time when everything can feel overwhelming.
Cycling Accidents
Cycling accidents often lead to serious injuries because cyclists have little protection against vehicles or unsafe road conditions. Even low-speed impacts can result in broken bones, concussions, or long-term mobility issues. These cases frequently involve questions about driver responsibility, road maintenance, insurance coverage, and accident benefits – all of which can be difficult to manage while you’re recovering.
We help cyclists injured in collisions with vehicles, transit buses, or hazards caused by poor road maintenance. Our team explains your options, handles insurance communication on your behalf, and gathers evidence such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements. We work to secure compensation for medical care, lost income, and other impacts of the accident. Our focus is on making the process less stressful and helping you get the support you need during your recovery.
Recreational Vehicle Accidents (ATVs, Snowmobiles, Boats)
ATV, snowmobile, and boating accidents can be particularly complex because they often involve unique environments, different rules, and unclear insurance situations. These incidents may happen on private property, trails, rural roads, or waterways, and liability can depend on who owned the vehicle, whether the operator was properly licensed, and whether safety equipment was used. Alcohol is also more commonly a factor in recreational vehicle accidents, which can further complicate responsibility.
Our team helps clients injured in recreational vehicle incidents by clarifying how insurance applies, determining who may be responsible, and managing the claims process. We gather necessary evidence, negotiate with insurers, and pursue compensation for medical care, income loss, and other damages. If needed, we represent you in court. We aim to take the stress out of a process that can feel confusing even in the best circumstances.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall injuries can be far more serious than they appear at first. Many people suffer fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, or chronic pain that impacts their ability to work and carry out daily activities. These accidents can occur on public sidewalks, in stores, at workplaces, in parking lots, or in residential buildings—and winter conditions in Ottawa and across Ontario make slips and falls even more common.
Property owners, businesses, and municipalities are required to keep their premises reasonably safe. When hazards like ice, snow, spills, uneven flooring, or poor lighting are not addressed, injuries can occur. Determining who is responsible, gathering evidence, and proving negligence can be challenging.
Our team helps clients understand who may be liable, explains the steps needed to make a claim, and guides you through the process from start to finish. We work to secure the compensation you need for your recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice cases require a detailed understanding of both medicine and law. Not every negative medical outcome is negligence—complications can occur even when care is appropriate. The challenge is determining when a healthcare provider’s conduct fell below the accepted standard and caused harm.
These cases involve complex medical evidence, expert opinions, and high legal thresholds. What sets our team apart is the insight of Dr. Sam Shortt, a physician with over 40 years of medical experience who is now part of our legal team. His dual background helps us understand the medical issues clearly and identify when care may have fallen short.
We investigate your case thoroughly, determine whether negligence occurred, identify potentially responsible parties, and pursue compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Medical malpractice matters are difficult, but you don’t have to navigate them alone.
Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, amputations, or severe burns, can alter every aspect of a person’s life. Recovery often involves long-term medical treatment, rehabilitation, home modifications, assistive devices, and financial support for ongoing care. Families also face significant emotional and economic strain as they adjust to a new reality.
Our team helps clients and their families secure compensation for medical expenses, income loss, pain and suffering, and future care needs. We work closely with medical professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and financial experts to make sure your long-term needs are considered and supported. Our focus is to help improve quality of life and create stability during an incredibly challenging time.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is one of the most devastating experiences a family can endure. Wrongful death claims may arise from motor vehicle accidents, medical errors, workplace incidents, unsafe property conditions, or other circumstances where another party’s actions or inaction caused harm.
Families often face not only profound grief, but also financial strain and complex legal responsibilities. We take on the legal work so you can focus on what matters most. Our team identifies who may be legally responsible, helps recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and related losses, and guides you through each step with care and clarity. While no legal outcome can replace your loss, we work to provide the support and stability your family needs.
Insurance Disputes & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Long-term disability benefits are meant to provide financial support when illness or injury prevents you from working. But the process can be difficult, and claims are often delayed, complicated, or denied. Understanding policy language and providing the right medical evidence can be overwhelming, especially when your health is already affected.
We help clients at every stage of LTD and insurance disputes. We review your policy, explain your rights, gather medical evidence, and challenge unfair denials. We manage communication with insurers and, if necessary, take your case to court to secure the benefits you’re entitled to. Our goal is to reduce the stress of the process and ensure your condition and needs are clearly understood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury
Do I have to pay?
No. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. We only get paid as a percentage of the amount we recover for you. Our fees are capped at a maximum of 33%, so you keep the majority of your settlement. We’ll explain everything clearly before you move forward, so there are no surprises.
How long will it take?
Every case is different. Some claims settle in a few months, while others can take longer – especially if they go to court, which can mean several years. Timing depends on factors like the complexity of your injury, insurance negotiations, your recovery, and court availability. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way so you always know what’s happening.
What does a lawyer actually do?
Our goal is simple: to get you the money and resources you need to recover and move forward. Your personal injury lawyer takes care of the hard parts so you can focus on healing. We gather evidence, deal with insurance companies, negotiate settlements, and represent you in court if needed.
How much money will I get?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Compensation depends on things like the severity of your injury, medical costs, lost income, and how your life has been affected. Ontario also has specific limits and guidelines for certain claims. We’ll review your situation and give you an honest assessment of what you may be entitled to.
