Former Students of the W. Ross MacDonald School for the Blind Could Receive Benefits from a $8 million Class Action Settlement
TORONTO, April 4, 2017 /CNW/ - A proposed Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against the Province of Ontario involving the W. Ross MacDonald School for the Blind, formerly known as the Ontario School for the Blind, located in Brantford, Ontario. The action was certified as a class proceeding on May 4, 2012.
The lawsuit says the Province was negligent in the management and operation of the School, resulting in systemic physical, sexual, and mental abuse and harm to the former students. The Province denies these claims and the Court has not decided whether the Class or the Province is right. A common issues trial in the case was set to start on April 3, 2017. Instead, both sides have agreed to a settlement.
The Court appointed the law firm of Koskie Minsky LLP from Toronto, Ontario to represent the Class as "Class Counsel". In a statement from Class Counsel, Kirk Baert said, "This proposed Settlement represents access to justice for those students harmed at W. Ross MacDonald while they were children. This proposed Settlement is fair, reasonable and in the best interests of all class members."
The members of the class entitled to apply for compensation are those students who attended the school between January 1, 1951 and May 4, 2012.
If the proposed Settlement is approved and becomes final, it will provide benefits to eligible class members from a $8 million Settlement Fund, which is being paid for by the Province. The amount of benefits that class members can receive will depend on the level of harm suffered. If the Court approves the proposed Settlement, class members will have to submit a claim form to receive benefits. More information will be available at www.kmlaw.ca/wrossmacdonaldclassaction or by calling 1-888-233-2852.
The Court will hold a Settlement Approval Hearing in the coming months at the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, Ontario. At this hearing, the Court will consider whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and in the best interests of the Class, and whether to approve the Settlement. More information on the Settlement Approval Hearing will be posted on Class Counsel's website: www.kmlaw.ca/wrossmacdonaldclassaction.
More detailed information on this lawsuit is available on the website at http://www.kmlaw.ca/wrossmacdonaldclassaction. You may also call toll-free 1-888-233-2852 or email: [email protected]
SOURCE Koskie Minsky LLP
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