Partner, Paralegal Toronto, T: 416.869.8541 C: 416.580.5444 F: 416.495.8833 lrussell@compclaim.com
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Brittany Dunville Assistant 416.495.1072 bdunville@compclaim.com
Law Society of Ontario, Licensed Paralegal
Canadian Registered Safety Professional
American Industrial Hygiene Association
McGill University, Pre-Med Science Program
University of Western Ontario, B.Sc. Chemistry
Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals
Canadian Society of Safety Engineers
Employers’ Advocacy Council, Policy and Law Committee
Ontario Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Section
Laura joined the firm as a Partner in 2013. Laura leads the Compclaim consulting group and is a member of the firm’s national OHS/WC practice group. Laura’s comprehensive knowledge and practical experience enables her to provide expert advice and hands-on assistance to a wide range of employers in various industries across Canada.
Laura was welcomed into the Law Society of Upper Canada as one of the first licensed paralegal practitioners in North America. In 2014 Laura was the recipient of the prestigious Ron Ellis Award for excellence and outstanding contribution to workers’ compensation law in Ontario by the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Ontario Bar Association.
Laura specializes in all aspects of workers’ compensation law for employers, including: legal compliance, financial analysis, registration/classification, experience rating, program development, claims management including return-to-work and re-employment obligation strategy, and representation at all levels of appeal. Laura’s CRSP designation supports her leadership in safety program design and audit, compliance, senior management responsibilities and liability briefings, critical injury/fatality investigations, and harassment complaint investigations.
The Compclaim consulting group offers a variety of educational sessions including WSIB Bootcamps, Medical Terminology, How to Navigate Re-Employment Obligations, NEER/CAD7 and 2020 Rate Framework. Laura and other team members are frequent speakers at conferences, industry and employer advocacy meetings, and also deliver client-specific training / staff support.
Laura is currently the Chair of the Schedule 2 Employers’ Group (S2Eg) and also serves as an employer member on the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) Chair’s Outreach Council (since 2017) and the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Employer Advisory Group (1 year appointment 2020). Laura previously served on the Executive of the OBA Workers’ Compensation Section and the CME Ontario Business Coalition.
Recipient of the Ron Ellis Award from the Workers’ Compensation Of the Ontario Bar Association, 2014.
Laura Russell spoke at the Ontario Bar Association on Mental Stress: Psychiatry and Psychology in Workplace Safety and Insurance Law in Toronto, Ontario.
Laura Russell spoke at the Partners in Prevention Conference on Get the News on the WSIB’s New Rate Framework Plans in Toronto, Ontario
Laura Russell spoke at the Schedule 2 Employers’ Group Conference on Complex or Disputed Claims and WHMIS 2015: What You Need To Know About the GHS Transition in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Laura A. Russell and Matthew S. Carroll presented WSIB Rate Framework, a Mathews Dinsdale Live Seminar. View Archived Video.
Debbie A. Martin and Laura Russell presented Claims Management II, a CompClaim Seminar.
Laura Russell, Sara Malkin and Matthew Carroll presented on Return to Work Success Stories at the ISCA.
The Ontario government has announced a plan to reduce WSIB premium rates for 2022, and to distribute excess surpluses from the WSIB insurance fund to participating employers.
Read moreCourt has partially overturned Decision No. 1227/19 of the WSIAT on judicial review, permitting a worker to sue for constructive dismissal and related aggravated, moral and punitive damages, despite the worker being entitled to receive benefits under the WSIA.
Read moreThis article will answer key questions regarding the WSIB’s role in reimbursing employers, the application process, and the impact of paid leave on WSIB costs.
Read moreOur complimentary webinars address the practical and legal issues for Canadian employers including issues arising from the current outbreak of COVID-19.
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