The Law of Occupiers' Liability: A New Essential Resource for Personal Injury Practitioners
By Alan C. Preyra
According to Statistics Canada, nearly 1.7 million slip-and-fall accidents occur annually among Canadians aged 12 and older, which represents approximately 40% of all reported injuries nationwide. Older Canadians are at a higher risk, as the data shows that 4 out of 5 fall hospitalizations are seniors. These numbers reflect a significant public safety issue.
Despite the frequency of occupiers' liability claims, the legal community has seldom had a single comprehensive resource that addresses both the plaintiff and defence perspectives of personal injury claims with equal rigour. Thanks to Alan Preyra and Emily Unrau, that absence has now been filled with their book, “The Law of Occupiers’ Liability.”
Published through Emond Publishing's Personal Injury Series, the book is a first-of-its-kind legal resource that brings together both plaintiff and defence perspectives under one cover. The book is co-authored by Alan Preyra, a partner at Bergmanis Preyra LLP, who practices primarily on behalf of injured victims in Ontario, and Emily Unrau, a defence counsel based in British Columbia. The resource offers a uniquely balanced analysis of an area of law that is constantly evolving.
The text examines the legislation, case law, and procedural landscape governing slip, trip, and fall claims in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. This makes it relevant to a broad range of practitioners across the country. What sets this book apart is its practical depth, informed by years of courtroom advocacy that Alan brings. Rather than limiting itself to statutory interpretation and case analysis, he walks practitioners through every stage of the litigation process. Lawyers will find detailed guidance on document disclosure, examinations for discovery, the use of expert witnesses, summary judgment motions, and trial preparation.
Providing authoritative commentary and actionable guidance, this resource equips practitioners with the knowledge and confidence required to navigate occupiers’ liability cases, making it essential reading for personal injury lawyers, municipal counsel, insurers, judges, and other legal professionals.
The book also features a foreword by The Honourable Darla A. Wilson of the Ontario Court of Appeal. This is a true testament to the authority and practical value Alan and his co-author bring to the personal injury profession.