519-850-2255 1-877-922-2255 yormakstaff5@yormaklaw.ca
WHICH IS BETTER?

Lawyer or Paralegal?

Our clients ask why anyone would hire a less qualified firm for the same cost, knowing they may be squaring off against their employer and their managers (and lawyers) in a hearing, as well as WSIB case managers throughout the claims process.

 

What is the Difference?

Lawyers are highly trained with four (4) years of formal post graduate legal training, including a J.D. or LLB, after graduating with a university degree, and then must pass two bar exams (barrister and solicitor).

Paralegals are required to only have a high school and a paralegal program diploma, which can be obtained in less than one year (48 weeks), and then can be eligible for a paralegal license exam.

Our firm charges based on results. We actually charge fees on a similar scale as paralegals and are therefore not generally more expensive. However, paralegals cannot provide full across-the-board legal services, in that they are not permitted to act for you in LTD/STD matters.

This inability by paralegals to represent you or give you advice about STD/LTD benefits can work a serious and significant prejudice to you.

This is aside from the fact paralegals may be able to obtain a license after less than one year of schooling and training, while lawyers must attend 3 years of law school after receiving a B.A. (many paralegals do not even have this), one year of articling (clerkship) followed by the requirement to pass two (2) bar exams, one as a barrister and one as a solicitor.

Some paralegals have no formal education whatsoever, having been allowed a license by being “grandfathered” in to membership. Some have merely been employed previously by WSIB with no legal training whatsoever.

Prior to retaining a paralegal the client should fully satisfy themselves as to the paralegal’s training, expertise and overall knowledge; and then ask about benefits arising from their STD/LTD (see above).

Paralegals are not permitted to refer to their business as “Institutes” or the like, so as to suggest they belong to some organization other than a paralegal business.

OUR PROMISE

Our goal is to maximize each individual’s rights to benefits under the law. We aim to assist them through what is often a life crisis which seems to make no sense to them legally, medically or otherwise, all caused by the denial of income and other benefits from WSIB, CPP or insurance companies all of whom are supposed to be there for you.

INJURIES / CONDITIONS

Our clients suffer from a wide range of disabilities and impairments:
 

  • Chronic Pain
  • Back
  • Neck
  • CTS
  • Knees
  • Shoulders
  • Slipped Discs
  • PTSD
  • Spinal
  • Arms
  • Legs
  • Concussion
  • Occupational Diseases
  • Psychological Issues
  • Fibromyalgia