Steve Rastin voices concern over recommendations in new government report on auto insurance costs

Past Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) president Steve Rastin, is among Ontario personal injury lawyers who have expressed concern that the recommendations in a new government report could force lawyers out of the accident benefits process, undermining fair access to justice for Ontario accident victims. The report, Fair Benefits Fairly Delivered A Review of the Auto Insurance System in Ontario, conducted by David Marshall, questions the need for legal representation for claimants in the accident benefits system. In an interview with Law Times, Mr. Rastin says that the real goal of Mr. Marshall is to leave accident victims unprotected by keeping lawyers out of the accident benefits system, protecting insurer profits. He believes that legal fees are necessary only because of the proven misconduct on the part of the auto insurance industry, as accident victims are frequently denied benefits which they should be receiving.