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The terrain of personal injury law in Canada is changing as legislative reform and increasingly complex claims have created fresh barriers for injured clients seeking compensation. But amid these headwinds, the country’s top personal injury law firms are refusing to retreat.
Instead, they’re doubling down on their core mission: fighting for fair outcomes, preserving access to justice, and supporting clients whose lives have been upended by injury.
The pace of change in personal injury law has accelerated, and Canadian Lawyer’s 2025 award winners have all adapted.
From proposed civil litigation reforms and looming changes to Ontario’s auto insurance scheme to increasing case complexity and the adoption of AI in legal practice, the pressure to push forward has never been greater.
The country’s leaders at the personal injury bar are closely watching as trends unfold around:
Historic shift in damages for fatality claims: A pair of recent decisions, Moore v. 7595611 Canada Corp. (2021) and Gill v. Toor (2024), has pushed Ontario’s courts into new territory when it comes to compensating for the loss of care, companionship, and guidance. For decades, $100,000 per claimant was seen as the informal ceiling. That changed with Moore, where each parent was awarded $250,000, setting a new high watermark in Ontario. The Court of Appeal upheld the award and affirmed that no legislated or common law cap applies to these damages. For personal injury lawyers, the shift may prompt a rethink of how fatality claims are assessed, negotiated, and resolved.
Tech is changing the litigation game: With dashcams, digital video, and airbag sensor data now influencing up to 40 percent of cases, tech is reshaping how fault is determined, shifting the focus from witness credibility to hard data and requiring lawyers to rethink how they prepare, challenge, and present liability evidence.
Backlogs and shrinking legal pathways: With court delays in Ontario stretching into 2026 and provinces such as British Columbia limiting the right to sue in auto cases, lawyers are facing systemic pressures that threaten timely justice and the viability of auto-based practices, forcing firms to rethink strategy, caseload mix, and long-term sustainability.
As Ontario prepares for major changes to its no-fault accident benefits system, and with British Columbia already operating under no-fault and Alberta planning to adopt a similar model in 2027, the top firms vow to advocate fiercely for innocent accident victims to receive fair and reasonable compensation.
Add in the long-term implications of self-driving vehicles, and it’s no surprise that personal injury heavyweight McLeish Orlando’s principal partner, Dale Orlando, doesn’t mince words.
“Ultimately, personal injury may be an area of law that largely disappears. About 80 percent of our cases are auto-related, and across Canada, we’re seeing a restriction in tort rights,” he says. “If we go out of business because people aren’t getting hurt, that is a great thing for society. But if it’s because people lose the right to sue, that’s a different story.”
That tension between progress and erosion makes it more critical than ever to celebrate the firms doing this work at the highest level.
To identify the best personal injury firms in Ontario, Western Canada, and Atlantic Canada, Canadian Lawyer invited readers to vote for the firms they trust the most. Over 2,000 respondents ranked 79 notable nominees from a curated list and nominated firms not already included. Eligible firms must have earned most of their revenue from personal injury work.
CL’s editorial team scored the results using a points system that weighed vote volume and ranking position. Based on those scores, firms were grouped by region into the Top 10 in Ontario and the Top 5 in both Western Canada and Atlantic Canada.
The final list also considered Lexpert peer survey data, where applicable, feedback from senior members of the bar, and regional diversity, ensuring the rankings reflect reach and respect.
All 20 distinguished law firms are stepping into uncertainty with passion and purpose. They’re confronting various challenges and trends while charting their own course. Several long-time stalwarts of CL’s annual list and one first-time winner offer a glimpse into how they’re responding to what comes next.
“The future of personal injury law, especially in Ontario, is in many ways a moving target,” says founder and principal lawyer Aaron Waxman, whose firm is newly recognized in the rankings. “But if there’s one constant, the changes don’t tend to favour the everyday person, unfortunately.”
“The world is changing; we have AI and social media, and they’ve changed how we raise our families and practice law,” partner Rose Leto says. “At our firm, we’ve recognized that, and we’re adapting our litigation and the role of our lawyers to meet the changing needs of society.”
“We’re not competing with every new firm in the space,” says managing partner Stephen D’Agostino. “Our focus is on the most complex cases, and that’s where we believe the future of personal injury law is headed.”
“What we’re seeing is a move into different areas of personal injury, away from the traditional car crash, rear-end collision cases, and into other areas where people need assistance, such as class actions and medical malpractice,” observes Raymond F. Wagner, KC, founder and principal. “Interestingly, a growing area in our firm is dog bites.”
“We’re at a turning point in the history of personal injury litigation in this province (Ontario),” states managing partner Richard Bogoroch. “With the changes to the accident benefits schedule set for July 2026 and the proposals to completely revamp the Rules of Civil Procedure, the practice as we know it will be forever changed.”
Partner Heidi Brown adds, “We’re going to fight hard to ensure that access to justice for vulnerable people remains front and centre for the government and the decision-makers driving these changes.”
The firm is actively educating clients about the upcoming accident benefit changes and analyzing proposed civil procedure reforms while advocating to protect access to justice.
“We try to persuade political decision-makers about the need for a tort system and to not have clients live the rest of their lives in a complex regulatory, first-party system where there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, no day in court,” notes Orlando. “Without tort, they don’t get that closure. And generally, they don’t receive the same level of compensation they would under a tort system.”
Through political advocacy and a dedicated AI committee, the firm is working to influence policy while staying on the leading edge of how personal injury law will be practiced in the years ahead.
“We do not anticipate any major changes affecting the insurance industry, however, there may be some significant changes coming to the Rules of Civil Procedure,” says partner Rob Durante. “While the changes will have an effect on the procedural aspects of personal injury litigation, they will not affect how we approach our cases, and the rule changes will not affect our ability to deliver exceptional legal representation to our clients.”
Two firm partners are currently working with The Advocates’ Society and the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association to prepare formal submissions addressing some of the proposed rule changes that could impact access to justice.
All seven of these celebrated firms operate at the highest level of advocacy. However, each brings something unique regarding the values that shape their work. Whether it’s trial excellence, client care, innovation, or integrity, these firms lead with purpose and back it up through results.
As Thomson Rogers clocks up nine decades in 2025, the firm continues to stand out for its ability to lead the most complex personal injury cases with clarity, consistency, and a deep sense of purpose.
At the heart of that work is a balance the firm knows well: empathy for what clients are going through, and the assertiveness needed to fight for what they deserve.
“Lawyers deal with people who’ve had the worst day of their lives,” says D’Agostino. “Empathy is non-negotiable. But without fully asserting our clients’ rights, we won’t get them the justice they require.”
That combination of compassion and confidence isn’t new; it’s been built over nearly a century of experience, and it continues to guide the firm’s approach today.
“What we’re known for are the biggest and most complex cases,” he adds. “Clients recognize that and come to us because they trust our experience and judgment in high-stakes situations.”
A legal peer says, “The lawyers who have carriage are the lawyers who actually meet and speak with the clients. They’re aggressive, but fair, when it comes to settlements.”
Internally, Thomson Rogers holds itself to high standards of preparation and thoroughness, values that matter more than ever as new litigation rules may risk rushing cases involving serious, unresolved injuries.
D’Agostino points out that the firm’s reputation has been built the hard way, “by working hard and playing by the rules.”
That legacy continues to earn confidence from co-counsel, defence counsel, and the courts alike.
Thomson Rogers' notable cases include:
Denman v. Radovanovic is a medical malpractice case that set new standards for informed consent. In 2024, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld an $8.5 million verdict and $3 million in costs, highlighting the serious consequences of breaching consent.
Baker v. Blue Cross is a landmark long-term disability case where the insurer was found to have acted in bad faith. The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the trial decision, making it Canada’s largest punitive damages award of $1.5 million.
Bogoroch & Associates has established itself by delivering results with a rare combination of precision, empathy, and ethical rigour.
With a reputation built on deep legal expertise and a steadfast commitment to client care, the firm has become a touchstone in the personal injury space.
One survey respondent shared, “They make you feel like family. They treat you in a way that takes away your stress so you can function at a level to make those informed decisions you need to make.”
That kind of experience doesn’t happen by chance. Brown points to three pillars that define the firm’s client experience:
precise execution
daily compassion
unwavering integrity
It’s a model built to reduce stress, not add to it. The firm works actively to counter the frustration of court delays, moving cases forward with urgency, keeping clients in the loop, and staying personally accessible at every level.
“We don’t always do what’s popular, but we do what’s right,” Brown says. “We hold ourselves to high standards and values, and we hold each other accountable.”
Bogoroch adds, “No one can truly understand the trauma and unbearable stress our clients go through, but we try our best to understand what they need. We don’t wait for them to call us, we call them. We give them regular updates and try to move the case forward as promptly as possible.”
That attentiveness matters even more in high-stakes medical malpractice cases, where emotions run high and the path to resolution can feel overwhelming. The team leads with empathy, making the legal process feel less intimidating, and providing clients with clarity when they need it most.
At the firm’s core are values that matter when things get difficult, including courage, determination, and persistence. That foundation, paired with a deep belief in access to justice, drives the team to take on tough, deserving cases and pursue them with purpose, no matter how long or complicated the road may be.
“If the case is meritorious based on what the experts tell us, we will pursue it with persistence, determination, and courage,” says Bogoroch. “People know when they hire us, we will fight hard for their rights.”
For Brown, what truly sets the firm apart is the depth of their relationships.
“With many of our clients, we keep in touch long after the cases are resolved,” she says. “They become very important to us in our life going forward.”
Bogoroch & Associates' notable cases include:
Successfully upheld a $600,000 jury verdict in Surujdeo v. Melady, where the Court of Appeal affirmed the trial judge’s instructions on standard of care and causation in a complex malpractice case.
Secured court approval of a $10 million settlement in Bunch v. Midwife Amy Jackson et al., a medical negligence case involving catastrophic birth injury, following failures in fetal monitoring.
Perennial top firm Oatley Vigmond has built a reputation for strong advocacy and trial experience, underpinned by preparation, integrity, and a steady focus on client care. Both legal peers and healthcare professionals describe the firm as “collaborative, compassionate, and deeply committed to clients, and to the rehab experts who help support their recovery.”
Trust comes from relationships the firm has built over decades with top healthcare and rehabilitation providers. These partnerships ensure clients get the care they need and also strengthen the medical side of the firm’s legal work.
“We work with people we trust,” says Durante. “They’re experts. And honestly, the last thing a healthcare provider wants is a lawyer telling them how to do their job.”
That kind of mutual respect goes back almost 50 years to founding partner Roger Oatley, who helped bring together medical and legal expertise in a way that changed how injury law was practiced. His approach still shapes how the firm works with clients, care teams, and with each other.
Durante remembers him as “the first person I knew who had a laptop at work,” a sign of the forward-thinking mindset the firm still carries today.
From going paperless early on to using AI in meaningful, practical ways, Oatley Vigmond keeps evolving because in the personal injury space, preparation, compassion, and good judgment make all the difference.
Its notable cases include:
Following a lengthy contested trial (and appeal), secured a jury award of over $7 million in Little v. Floyd Sinton Ltd., involving a student who suffered a traumatic brain injury after jumping from a school bus. The case revealed a long-standing and dangerous tradition where Grade 8 students exited through the rear emergency door on the last day of school, something the bus company failed to report or prevent. While the defence argued the plaintiff was responsible for her own injuries, the jury held the adults in charge accountable.
Won a landmark $24 million judgment in a judge-alone trial for two young men who suffered catastrophic injuries, one a brain injury and one a spinal cord injury, in a car crash, marking the largest joint damages award in Canadian history. Two senior partners led the case in a rare joint trial, securing compensation after a lengthy, contested trial.
Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers consistently ranks among Canada’s top personal injury boutiques for its trial-tested expertise, trauma-informed client care, and results-driven advocacy born from medical insight and community leadership.
At the heart of the firm’s work is the powerful goal of helping clients rebuild their lives.
“Our goal is to make sure clients are doing well, and doing better,” says Leto. “Because beyond this case, they have the rest of their life. That’s the priority.”
The firm’s approach springs from empathy, collaboration, and long-standing partnerships with healthcare providers. With a trauma-informed mindset, the team ensures clients feel supported through litigation and prepared for what comes next.
That philosophy is reflected inside the firm, too. Two-thirds of its lawyers and 43 percent of support staff have been with the firm for over a decade, contributing to a culture of trust, consistency, and shared purpose. This fuels the firm’s ability to deliver results while staying closely connected to clients.
“We stand with our clients, and we help them navigate their challenges,” Leto adds. “We advocate for them, help them access support, and make sure they never feel alone in the process.”
A survey respondent echoed that sentiment, saying, “They stop at nothing to support their clients. They work tirelessly to ensure client stories are heard and act as a member of their care team.”
Neinstein's notable cases include:
Representing Ontario’s largest school boards in a $4 billion lawsuit against major social media companies, aiming to hold them accountable for the mental health impact on students, a case that underscores the firm’s growing leadership in mass torts and advocacy for systemic change.
Successfully appealing a dismissed medical malpractice claim in Farej v. Fellows, securing a new trial for a child with a severe birth injury after exposing critical flaws in the trial judge’s reasoning on standard of care and causation.
McLeish Orlando continues to lead as one of Canada’s top personal injury boutiques, known for its trial strength, client-first philosophy, and a reputation built on compassion, innovation, and consistently outstanding results.
“The lawyers are creative, organized, and hardworking,” one peer notes. “But most importantly, they use tactics and strategy to full advantage, and they prepare every case from the start as if it’s going to trial.”
That level of preparation begins with case selection. The firm takes on only the most serious and life-altering injuries, where the need for trusted advocacy is greatest. Every case is treated with profound respect, with the team recognizing the weight of the responsibility clients place in them.
“We leave no stone unturned,” says Orlando. “We spend every dollar we need to spend to prepare the case so that we’re ready to meet whatever defence the insurance industry comes up with.”
That sense of duty drives everything they do, from rigorous preparation and careful financial investment to a refusal to cut corners for convenience. It’s a deliberate, detail-focused approach that includes filing claims promptly, securing key records early, and advancing files steadily and strategically.
Serious injury claims can take years to fully understand, especially when it comes to the medical picture. That’s why the team builds each case from day one with urgency and care, sending a clear signal to insurers and defence counsel that they’re prepared.
“We want to be in a position to tell the court we’re ready for trial,” Orlando adds. “Not because we want to try every case, but because that’s how we get fair and reasonable offers.”
McLeish Orlando's notable cases include:
Represented a young man who lost his arms and sustained third-degree burns to over 60 percent of his body in a vigorously contested fire case. Liability was denied by the defendants, resulting in a $0 offer for the majority of the litigation. Six months before the trial began, $500,000 was offered to the plaintiff. The firm pressed on toward trial. The case settled four days before the trial began for a mid-seven-figure result.
After an 18-year-old suffered a devastating spinal cord injury at a trampoline park, McLeish Orlando was successful in resolving the case by effectively countering a digital waiver defence, securing recovery funds so the young man can live independently and with dignity.
With regional roots in Nova Scotia, Wagners has earned national recognition as one of Canada’s top personal injury boutiques, respected for its trial and appellate expertise, innovative legal strategy, and deep connection to the communities it serves.
Empathy and a desire to create meaningful impact drives the firm’s approach.
“From the first consultation to the final resolution of a case, the firm demonstrates a deep commitment to its clients, combining experience, compassion, and relentless dedication,” one survey participant says.
That dedication shows up not just in how they support individual clients, but in how they think about the broader purpose of their work.
“If we can find that piece, where we can make a change to benefit others from the litigation of the harm that has happened to our client, then we pursue that,” says Wagner.
It’s a principle that shapes how they work, which includes no shortcuts, no premature settlements, and no compromises when it comes to client outcomes. Instead, the firm moves cases forward strategically, always prepared to go to trial, knowing that real pressure often leads to real results.
“If we do good things for the client, the good things will happen to us,” Wagner says. “We never put ourselves before the client. What’s most important is what’s best for them.”
The firm's notable cases include:
In 2024, the firm pursued and resolved complex, multi-party medical negligence litigation, including actions alleging surgical error in the context of successive procedures; obstetrical negligence, including mismanagement of shoulder dystocia resulting in brachial plexus injuries; and erroneous prescribing practices, including those resulting in major morbidity and death.
A class action lawsuit has been certified against the Town of Deer Lake and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited, alleging that defects in the design, development, oversight, and operation of the Humber Canal have caused excessive water seepage, resulting in property damage, flooding, and mould for residents downstream. The Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal’s March 6, 2025 decision allows the case to proceed to trial in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, where issues of liability and damages will be determined.
Aaron Waxman & Associates has become one of Canada’s leading personal injury firms through attentive client service, strong litigation experience, and a commitment to practical, results-focused advocacy.
Voters cited the firm’s “excellent litigation experience coupled with a goal of achieving practical results” as a key reason it remains a trusted leader in the field. But for Waxman, results don’t have to mean years of costly, drawn-out court battles.
“Clients want outcomes, but they also value resolution,” he says. “And often, the real adversary isn’t the other side, it’s time.”
That’s why the firm treats mediation as a strategic tool, not a fallback. Claims are filed quickly, evidence is gathered without delay, and insurers are invited to the table early with full transparency. This approach has reshaped how insurers respond.
“Because we’re candid, and because we’ve built a reputation for being prepared, insurance companies know we’re serious, and that gives our clients real options,” Waxman explains.
At the core of the firm’s work are values that guide every interaction, notably empathy, candour, and efficiency. Lawyers are expected to be clear, honest, and human, even when the answers may be hard to hear.
“You can’t sugarcoat things or hide behind legalese,” he says. “You have to give the truth with some measure of humanity.”
That clarity is matched by a culture of accessibility. Clients can reach their lawyers directly, and Waxman leads by example, often fielding calls before and after business hours, even stepping in to ease concerns when other lawyers are tied up.
“We want things to be professional, but we also want them to be comfortable,” he says. “Our clients should feel heard, supported, and most of all, respected.”
The firm's notable cases in the past year include:
In Samaroo v. Commonwell (LAT decision), the firm successfully argued entitlement to Pre-104 income replacement benefits and certain treatment plans for the applicant.
Successfully argued in Randle (WSIAT decision) that the plaintiff injured while asleep in the back of his work truck at the time of the motor vehicle accident was not statute barred by the WSIB from maintaining his right to sue in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Earlier this year, Canadian Lawyer asked readers from across Canada to vote on personal injury firms. They were asked to rank the top firms from a preliminary list, with a chance to nominate a firm that was not on the list.
To be considered in the vote, firms were required to have the majority of their business come from personal injury work. The final rankings were determined through a points system in which firms were rewarded on a sliding scale for the number of votes by ranking. The winners were categorized by geography, including the Top 10 in Ontario and the Top 5 in Western and Atlantic Canada.
The quantitative results were combined with the Lexpert peer survey results, where applicable, along with feedback from respected senior members of the bar and regional diversity considerations.