Le Lézard
Classified in: Covid-19 virus
Subjects: LAW, ATY

Teacher, student file class action lawsuit against Old Republic Insurance over COVID-19 school trip refunds


TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2020 /CNW/ - A national class action lawsuit has been launched by Samfiru Tumarkin LLP against Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada on behalf of thousands of families across the country over its decision to continue to refuse reimbursement following school trip cancellations at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schools and school boards across Canada have been forced to cancel their planned trips, arranged through tour company Explorica Canada, due to the pandemic and related government travel advisories. The lawsuit alleges that families' trip cancellation claims for reimbursement of expenses have been neglected and ignored by Old Republic.

Toronto high school teacher Mark Chmielowiec organized a school trip for 16 students, including his daughter, Erica, to Italy and Greece, to commence on March 11, 2020. The trip was cancelled by the Toronto Catholic District School Board due to the risk presented by COVID-19 in the regions they planned to visit. A trip cancellation claim was submitted by Explorica to the Chmielowiecs' insurer, Old Republic. The insurance company provided no offer of reimbursement, alleging that Explorica, the trip provider, failed to provide sufficient documentation. Explorica, in turn, alleged that all requisite information had been provided to Old Republic.

"These companies are playing the blame game, at the expense of countless families who have been waiting months for the reimbursement that they are entitled to under their insurance policies with Old Republic," says Sivan Tumarkin, insurance lawyer and co-founding partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

"Rather than immediately honouring their trip cancellation policy, Old Republic has chosen instead to disregard the rights of parents and students who are owed compensation through their legitimate travel insurance claims."

Families who booked a school trip that was cancelled due to COVID-19, and have been refused reimbursement by their insurance provider, can contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP at SchoolTripClassAction.ca.

This is Samfiru Tumarkin LLP's second class action lawsuit against an insurance company related to school trips booked through Explorica. The law firm filed a claim against Arch Insurance on October 14, 2020.

In September 2020, Samfiru Tumarkin LLP filed a class action lawsuit against TD Home and Auto Insurance, alleging that the company incorrectly denied thousands of claims for reimbursement due to the existence of credits or vouchers.

Canadians who have been denied their travel insurance claims by their insurance policy provider should contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to find out what their rights are.

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP's website contains more information about the class action lawsuit against Old Republic.

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is one of Canada's leading law firms specializing in insurance, employment and disability law in Ontario and British Columbia. The firm has been involved in numerous prominent cases in recent years, including the "Million Dollar Baby" case, the class action lawsuit against UberFuture Shop layoffsMitch MurphyJulie Austin, and Sandra Bullock.

SOURCE Samfiru Tumarkin LLP


These press releases may also interest you

at 00:25
Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co., Ltd ("Junshi Biosciences," HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180), a leading innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies, announced its financial...

28 mar 2024
The "Global Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Laboratory Services Market: Strategy & Trends with Volume & Price Forecasts by Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Pathology, Covid-19, and Molecular Dx by Country. Updated with Impact of COVID-19"...

28 mar 2024
Discovery Silver Corp. ("Discovery" or the "Company") today announced financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 ("Q4 2023" and "2023", respectively). The Company also provided a summary of key events since the...

28 mar 2024
The "Molecular Diagnostics at the Point of Care. By Application, Technology, Place, Product and by Country. With Executive Guides and Customization 2023 - 2027 " report has been added to  ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Infectious disease Dx is...

28 mar 2024
The "Whole Genome and Exome Sequencing Markets by Application, Organism and Product with Executive and Consultant Guides. Includes Direct to Consumer Analysis. 2023 to 2027" report has been added to  ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Will all...

28 mar 2024
Boat Rocker Media Inc. ("Boat Rocker" or the "Company") , an independent, integrated global entertainment company, today reported its financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2023 ("fourth quarter" or "Q4") and for the year ended...



News published on and distributed by: