Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 149
Date: December 3, 2024

Participants: John Webster and Sheila Webster
Guest: Gord Harris

Start Times and Segments:

[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Can you be brave and afraid at the same time? Yes. We are capable of doing what appear to be contrary activities, or holding what appear to be contrary thoughts. It’s not all about polarization.

[0:09:54] Expanding Minds Interview: [Economic and Mental Wellness] Gord Harris tells us about accident benefits insurance coverage. It's important for people to know that there’s a path for almost anyone hurt by a motor vehicle to access insurance benefits through the no-fault auto accident benefits system, even if they don’t have their own auto insurance policy. The no fault benefits regime started in Ontario in 1990. The Ontario government recognized that it helps if people can sue when someone else is at fault. Ultimately, they’ll get compensated, but what about the people who drive too fast in winter and go off the road and hit a tree? What about the person who’s changing a tire and the jack fails and the car lands on them and it crushes their shoulder and they’ll never work again? How does that person pay their mortgage or buy groceries or pay for anything ese? The idea behind this was to make sure that at least the people hurt by cars had a basic social safety net, even if they didn’t have someone to sue. In Ontario, Canada, no fault benefits are a mandatory part of every motor vehicle insurance policy. You are required to pay additional premiums to get what we call no fault accident benefits coverage. The idea is that if you get hurt in a motor vehicle accident, then you will have access to immediate help. It might be a disability benefit or help with your physical or psychological recovery. You can get back to work or your activities of daily living. That’s what it’s for. It doesn’t matter whether you or someone else caused the accident. It doesn’t matter if you’re a passenger, pedestrian, bicyclist, roller blader, etc. If you’re hit or hurt by a car or motor vehicle, then you can claim for these benefits.

[0:31:27] Move That Body: We tend to become less active in cold climates in Winter. Sheila found a 10-minute indoor workout idea to inspire us to find a way to get into a good “keep active” mode.

Guest Information: Gord Harris grew up in Waterloo. He obtained an Arts degree at Wilfrid Laurier University, then Bachelor of Laws and Masters of Business Administration degrees at the University of Alberta. He worked in Alberta for seven years, then came back to Ontario. His firm Harris Law is located in KW. It's a highly respected personal injury firm, where he, his partners, associates and colleagues help people from all walks of life, typically acting against insurance companies or other corporate defendants. He's dedicated to helping address issues and problems faced by people who have been injured because of others, or denied benefits from their insurer. He takes satisfaction in knowing that he has helped someone find an acceptable resolution during such a difficult period in their life. Gord gives back to the community in many ways. He's married and the father of three beautiful daughters.

Website: Harris Law Personal Injury Lawyers
Gord’s Page: Gordon W. Harris

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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura, Julie and Riley