Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP – Personal Injury Law – Adam Wagman

Adam Wagman

Senior Partner

Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP – Personal Injury Law – Adam Wagman

416-361-0988

Adam Wagman - Personal Injury Litigation Lawyer of the Year BadgeHowie, Sacks & Henry LLP – Personal Injury Law – Certified Specialist (Civil Litigation)Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP – Personal Injury Law – LExpert Ranked Lawyer

Adam is honoured to have been named the Best Lawyers Personal Injury Litigation Lawyer of the Year in Toronto for 2022. After serving many years on the Board of Directors, he was elected to be President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) for 2016-2017.  Canadian Lawyer Magazine named Adam one of the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada in 2017.  

Adam’s practice is devoted to personal injury litigation, accident benefits claims and other disability and insurance litigation. He fights tirelessly, with compassion, for the rights of accident victims and strives to ensure that they receive appropriate compensation for all of their losses. He focuses on serious, catastrophic injury claims, no matter how they happen.  Adam has extensive experience in brain injury claims and spinal cord injury claims.  As an avid cyclist and runner, he has a special interest in helping people injured in pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle accidents.

My goal is to help people who truly need help. Being a personal injury lawyer is the best way that I can think of to accomplish this goal. I have the rare pleasure of leaving my clients at the end of a case in a much better position than when they first met with me. It is an extremely rewarding profession.

The former managing partner at HSH, Adam is recognized as a leader in the legal community. He has been endorsed by his peers as a leading personal injury lawyer in the respected Lexpert and Best Lawyers in Canada directories, and the Law Society of Ontario has recognized him as a Specialist in Civil Litigation.  He is often asked to chair conferences and lecture to legal organizations regarding various personal injury issues, including his trial experience.  Adam has conducted many successful jury and judge alone trials, arbitrations, and appeals to the Court of Appeal of Ontario.

In addition to OTLA, Adam is a member of and has held leadership roles in a number of legal and brain injury associations and organizations.  He is the proud recipient of the Ontario Brain Injury Association Professional Award.  Adam is also passionate about his involvement in pro bono and community associations.  He is a member of the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer Hall of Fame and played guitar for the award-winning rock band, “SoSumi,” performing to raise money and awareness for various charitable organizations.

Practice Focus

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Professional Success

Representative Cases

Merg Kong v. Personal Insurance Company of Canada, FSCO P06-00007 (2008)

Gostick v. Squance, 2007 ONCA 674 (Court of Appeal 2007)

Jean Marc Serret v. Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund, FSCO A07-001067 (2007)

Adabi Ghomi v. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, FSCO P00-00024 (2001)

Harroun (Litigation Guardian of) v. Turriff, 50 O.R. (3d) 634 (Court of Appeal 2000)

Mangat v. Non-Marine Underwriters, FSCO A99–000182 (2000)

Cole v. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, FSCO A99–000366 (2000)

Zeppieri v. Liberty Mutual, FSCO A96–000313 (1998)

MacAulay v. General Accident, A96–001971 (1998)

Dipietro v. Allstate, FSCO A97–001522 (1998)

Settlements and Verdicts

Lawyer Referrals

Lisa Gelman, Gelman & Associates

Howard Manis, Macdonald Sager Manis LLP

Client Testimonials

Client Reunion Videos

One of the top motorcycle instructors in Ontario, Bob’s catastrophic motorcycle accident left him a quadriplegic. Adam battled Bob’s insurance company to get him what he needs to still enjoy the great outdoors. Watch their touching reunion.

Thought Leadership

Articles

The Modern MentorHSH Blog, August, 2022

Advice for Student Job SeekersHSH Blog, March, 2022

15 Years and Counting: Jury Awards Income Replacement Benefits, HSH Blog, May 2019

Bike Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility, HSH Blog, February 2019

How Much Car Insurance Do I Really Need? – Accident Benefits, HSH Blog, October 2018

How Much Car Insurance Do I Really Need? – Third Party Liability, HSH Blog, October 2018

Car Accident Series: How Contributory Negligence Impacts Your Case, HSH Blog, May 2017

Medicinal Marijuana and Traumatic Brain Injuries, HSH Blog, July 2017

HSH Partners Recommended By Their Peers in Lexpert, HSH Blog, May 2017

Common Causes for Car Accidents on Ontario’s 400 Series Highways, HSH Blog, February 26, 2017

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Ontario, HSH Blog, February 14, 2017

Cycling Accidents Without Insurance, Who Pays?, HSH Blog, December 16, 2016

Cycling Hand Signals And Other Tips For Drivers, HSH Blog, November 30, 2016

Cycling Safety Tips and Hand Signals For Cyclists, HSH Blog, November 21, 2016

Do You Ride a Motorcycle? Tips for Motorcycle Safety, HSH Blog, September 21, 2016

Lethal Libations – Driving Under the Influence, HSH Blog, September 5, 2016

Young Driver Series: Stay Safe by Avoiding Distracted Driving, HSH Blog, July 19, 2016

Upcoming Changes to Car Insurance a Huge Problem for Ontarians, HSH Blog, May 25, 2016

Brain Injury: Pedestrian Struck by A-Frame Sign Awarded Nearly $3 Million, HSH News, March 17, 2016

Paying More But Getting Less Auto Insurance in Ontario, HSH News, April 24, 2015

Media Mentions

Commercial and Residential Host LiabilityCanadian Justice, May 5, 2022

LSO amends Rules of Professional Conduct to address new contingency fee regimeLaw Times, February 28, 2022

Professional misconduct cases expose Ontario lawyers’ unease over ‘misleading’ advertisingToronto Star, October 4, 2021

Protracted proceedings a problem for Law Society of Ontario advertising regulation: ExpertsLaw Times, September 29, 2021

New contingency fee regime set to come into effect July 2021Law Times, October 16, 2020

Personal Injury Legal Report: Debate over capping damages rages on, Canadian Lawyer Magazine, March 20, 2020

Breathe, Just Breathe, Of Counsel Podcast, January 26, 2018

Bill 103 Won’t Help Accident Victims: Lawyers Association, The Star, March 30, 2017

Ontario Lawyers Warn Civil Court Delays a Worsening ‘Disaster’, The Star, January 23, 2017

Hired Gun in a Lab Coat: How Medical Experts Help Car Insurers Fight Accident Claims. National Post, January 5, 2017

LSUC Action on Advertising Coming this Year, Law Times, January 2, 2017

Car Accident Benefits: Enough For The Journey Ahead?, Recovery Magazine, October 21, 2016

How Has Car Insurance Coverage in Ontario Changed?, MoneySense Magazine, June 1, 2016

Changes Down the Road for Car Insurance Benefits (video), CHCH Morning Live, May 24, 2016

Judicial Vacancies Jam Ontario Courts, The Law Times, May 23, 2016

Cheaper Car Insurance Means Less Coverage for Ontarians, Yahoo! Finance, May 12, 2016

Why June 1st Matters: The New Car Insurance Legislation and What it Means to You, AM 900 CHML, May 3, 2016

How New Discounts on Car Insurance will Adversely Affect Benefits if you are Involved in an Accident, Global News, April 27, 2016

Voicing Concerns with New Car Insurance Rules, NewsTalk 1010, April 27, 2016

Tripping Over Parked Motorcycle Constitutes an Accident, The Lawyers Weekly, April 22, 2016

Trial Teamwork, On The Record Podcast, April 6, 2016

How to Run An Efficient Trial: The New School of Thought, OBA.org, March 14, 2016

Car Insurance Rates in Ontario, CHML Radio, April 14, 2015

Speaking & Teaching Engagements

Co-Chair, 5th Annual Motor Vehicle Litigation Summit, Law Society of Ontario, September 2022

A Modern Firm’s Approach to Legal Tech, Korbitec, June 2022

IME QA – Overview and Tips for Assessors, Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators (CSME), May 2022

2021-2022 Tort Law Moot, February 2022

OTLA 2021 Fall Conference, Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, October 2021

Understanding Cognitive Impairment in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Medico-Legal Society, November 2021

4th Motor Vehicle Litigation Summit, Law Society of Ontario, September 2021

Anatomy of a Trial: A Deeper Dive Into Jury Trials, Ontario Bar Association, April 2019

2nd Motor Vehicle Litigation Summit, Law Society of Ontario, March 2019

Anatomy of a Trial: Demonstrations and Debriefs, Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association, May 11, 2018.

Ep #4: Adam Wagman: Breathe. Just Breathe, Of Council podcast, January 26, 2018.

Motor Vehicle Litigation Summit 2018, Law Society of Ontario, March 27, 2018

Understanding Personal Injury Law and The Importance Of Retaining Counsel Early In The Process, King Law Chambers, May 12, 2016

3rd Annual Threshold Conference on Brain Injury, NRVMS/DSF, April 13, 2016

Without Prejudice – Young Lawyer Series, Canadian Defence Lawyers, March 3, 2016

Examining and Cross-Examining Experts: Winning Strategies, Trends and Solutions, The Advocates’ Society, May 28, 2014

The 4th Annual Accident Benefits Joint Plaintiff and Defence Seminar: Gee, I Wonder If There Is Anything Left to Talk About? Canadian Defence Lawyers Program, April 24, 2014

5th Annual Joint Defence/Plaintiff Accident Benefits Program, Canadian Defence Lawyers, April 10, 2014

Surviving the Avalanche: The Expert Guide to Changes in Personal Injury Law – Deductibility of Collateral Benefits: Accident Benefit Cases, Ontario Bar Association, February 6, 2014

Deductibility of Collateral Benefits – Accident Benefits Cases, January 6, 2014, Ontario Bar Association Conference

Insurance Institute of Ontario – Understanding Case Law, December 11, 2013

Is More Really Merrier? Joint Tort, AB and Mediations? May 30, 2013, Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Spring Conference

Why Does My Head Hurt? May 1, 2013, Medico-Legal Society Conference

Your First Civil Trial – Opening and Closing Statements, March 8, 2013, Ontario Bar Association

Who Let the CAT Out of the Bag – Top 5 CAT Cases, February 29, 2013, Medico-Legal Society

The Twelve-Minute Accident Benefit Insurance Litigator: It Was the Best of Times…It Was the Worst of Times, November 11, 2012, The Law Society of Upper Canada

Ask the Experts: What You Have Heard? September 28, 2012, OTLA New Lawyers Division Conference

Where do We Stand on Catastrophic Impairment? June 7, 2012, OTLA Spring Conference

Working with Experts: Trends and Tactics, May 16, 2012, The Advocates’ Society Civil Litigation Skills Certificate Program

The Edge of Reason: The State of Accident Benefits in Ontario, April 20, 2012, Canadian Defence Lawyers

Your First Civil Trial – Conference, March 9, 2012, Ontario Bar Association

Great Debates In Insurance Law – Disclosure and Production within the New Age, February 10, 2012, Ontario Bar Association

Working with Experts: Trends & Tactics, May 18, 2011, The Advocates Society

Your First Civil Trial Conference, February 25, 2011, Ontario Bar Association

It’s Raining CATS and Dogs, February 22, 2011, Medico/Legal Society of Toronto

Medical/Legal Course Instructor, February 10, 2011, Osgoode Hall Law School

The New SABS and FSCO Arbitrations of Personal Injury Claims, September 17, 2010, Osgoode Professional Development

Recent FSCO Cases Continue to Make an Impact Under the New SABS, September 17, 2010, Osgoode Professional Development

The Tricks of the Trade: Advancing & Defining Economic Loss Claims in Uncertain Times, January 22, 2010, The Advocates’ Society

New Civil Litigation Regime Conference – November 30, 2009, Top Tips for Negotiating & Settling a Civil Action

Osgoode – Medical/Legal Course  Instructor – February 26, 2009

Personal, Industry and Community Activity

Education

Admitted to the Ontario Bar, 1996

LLB, University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, 1994

BA, Mathematics, University of Western Ontario, 1990

Honours and Awards

Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year Award 2022

Honoured as Changemaker in 2017 Canadian Lawyer Magazine’s Survey of Top 25 Most Influential

Certified as a Specialist in Civil Litigation, by The Law Society of Upper Canada

Ontario Brain Injury Association, Professional Award, 2008

Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory – Consistently Recommended in Personal Injury Law

Best Lawyers in Canada,  Personal Injury Law Category

Professional Associations and Memberships

Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), Member

Ontario Trial Lawyers Association:
Immediate Past President, 2017 – Present
President, 2016 -2017
President-Elect, 2015 – 2016
Board Member, 2008 – Present
Member, 1996 – Present

Canadian Bar Association, 1996 – Present

The Advocates Society, 1996 – Present

Toronto Lawyers Association, 1996 – Present

Ontario Bar Association, 1996 – Present

Medical-Legal Society of Toronto, 1996 – Present

Community Involvement

Elected President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA), 2016/17

Board of Directors, Peel Halton Acquired Brain Injury Services (PHABIS), 1996 – 2007

Board of Directors, Founding Member, Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST), 2003 – 2008

Past President, Ontario Association of Community Based Boards for Acquired Brain Injury Services

Member, Toronto Region Case Management Steering Committee (Communications and Education Sub-Committee)

Member, FSCO Automobile Insurance Stakeholder Advisory Committee

Member, FSCO Automobile Legal Advisory Committee

Member, ADR Chambers Counsel Forum

Advisory Committee Member, Practical Law Canada

Bench and Bar Committee, Toronto Region – Ontario Superior Court

Community Involvement Videos

TIPSY Presentation at St. Michael’s Hospital:  Adam spoke recently to a group of high school students at the Think First Injury Prevention Strategy for Youth (TIPSY) program.  His message: Don’t drink and drive, don’t text and drive, be smart and make good decisions. Watch his video.

Adam Wagman’s Team

Name Title
Thushyanthy Thevarajah
Assistant to Adam K. Wagman
416-262-3590
Tania Harris
Law Clerk
416-646-3902
Keshia Agarrat-Ali
Assistant to Tania Harris
416-361-7582
Natasha Brady
Team Assistant
647-948-6008
Padma Sahadeo
Law Clerk
416-361-7571
Elizabeth De Los Rios Hernandez
Assistant to Padma Sahadeo
647-260-4497

Thushyanthy Thevarajah
Assistant to Adam K. Wagman
416-262-3590
tthevarajah@hshlawyers.com

Tania Harris
Law Clerk
416-646-3902
tharris@hshlawyers.com

Keshia Agarrat-Ali
Assistant to Tania Harris
416-361-7582
kagarrat-ali@hshlawyers.com

Natasha Brady
Team Assistant
647-948-6008
nbrady@hshlawyers.com

Padma Sahadeo
Law Clerk
416-361-7571
psahadeo@hshlawyers.com

Elizabeth De Los Rios Hernandez
Assistant to Padma Sahadeo
647-260-4497
ehernandez@hshlawyers.com

Among the best in Canada

Since 2011, our peers have consistently voted for us as one of Canada’s top personal injury firms in Canadian Lawyer  magazine’s annual rankings of the top personal injury boutiques in Canada. With decades of experience helping accident victims and their families, our firm understands the laws that affect your right to compensation because we’ve helped shape those laws in favour of accident victims.

Among the best in Canada

Since 2011 Canadian Lawyer Magazine rated us one of the top personal injury law firms in Canada. Why? With close to 20 years helping accident victims and their families, our firm understands the laws that affect your rights to compensation because we’ve helped shape those laws in favour of accident victims.

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