Practice Highlights

Sloan Mandel was called to the Ontario Bar in 1996 and is certified by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) as a specialist in Civil Litigation. He is a partner at the law firm Thomson Rogers. He attended Cornell University and graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1994. His practice focuses exclusively on personal injury and medical malpractice litigation on behalf of plaintiffs.

Sloan is one of only 14 plaintiff-side personal injury lawyers in the province to have been concurrently listed in The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory and The Best Lawyers™ in Canada publication; secured specialist certification from the LSO; and a member of a firm identified as a Top Ten Personal Injury Boutique by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.

Sloan has been published extensively in both medical and legal texts and journals. He is a past member of the Ontario Bar Association Health Law Executive and regularly lectures doctors, lawyers and health care professionals at a variety of educational seminars.

Sloan has a wealth of court and litigation experience, achieving some of Ontario’s largest personal injury and medical malpractice awards.

“If a trial is necessary, then so be it. I prepare for war to make the best peace”.

Sloan and his wife Wendy, (also a top-notch litigator and a former partner at Thomson Rogers) parent three amazing kids. Sloan also has (or used to have) a world-class hockey “slap shot”.

Client VIDEO testimonial

Education

• Attended Cornell University
• Bachelor of Laws, Osgoode Hall Law School (1994)

Notable Trial Decisions

Godknows Itamunoala, et al v. Karen L. Peirce, et al 

The trial took place before The Honourable Mr. Justice Jennings over the period of two weeks and one day in December 2004. The Plaintiffs succeeded in establishing negligence against four Defendant Doctors.

The Plaintiff, Mr. Godknows Itamunoala, alleged that the Defendant Doctors failed to diagnose an underlying brain aneurysm. As a consequence of that failure, Mr. Itamunoala was required to seek emergency medical attention during a visit to the United States. Mr. Itamunoala, an Ontario resident, was put to a significant expense for the excellent care that the received from the U.S. hospital and its medical personnel, for which he did not receive reimbursement through the Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan (“OHIP”).

Within the endorsement of The Honourable Mr. Justice Jennings, His Honour stated:

The plaintiff’s case was commendably prepared and expeditiously and competently presented. 

Medical malpractice cases are inherently complex and risky. They require a level of experience and skill, which counsel clearly met in this case.

Alfred Newman, et al v. William G. Swales

The trial took place before The Honourable Madam Justice J. Lack over the period of seven days in October 2001.

The Plaintiffs alleged that Dr. Swales’ management of Mrs. Newman on May 7, 1993, and afterwards failed to meet the standard of care reasonably expected of a general practitioner in a small Ontario town at the time. He failed to consider colon cancer or a precursor to colon cancer as a potential explanation for Mrs. Newman’s May 7, 1993 symptoms.

The Plaintiffs succeeded in establishing negligence against Dr. Swales. Damages were assessed and awarded.

Gail Taylor, et al v. Robert Morrison

On July 8, 1998, Elwin Taylor died in the Emergency Department of the Peterborough Civic Hospital as a result of a heart attack. He was just short of reaching 58 years of age. A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr. Taylor had severe coronary artery disease (CAD).

The trial took place before The Honourable Mr. Justice H. Spiegel over the period of three weeks in February and March 2006. The Plaintiffs succeeded in establishing negligence against the Defendant Doctor.

Within the endorsement of The Honourable Mr. Justice H. Spiegel, His Honour stated:

… the evidence regarding life expectancy was very complex and required considerable skill to properly present.

While it is true that Mr. Mandel had just achieved 10 years seniority at the bar at the commencement of trial, he conducted the trial with a degree of skill and expertise which far exceeded his level of seniority.

Brenda Rene Murray, et al v. Her Majesty The Queen

On November 24, 1989, 17-year-old Brenda Rene Murray was driving to school in her mother’s car. The road was snow covered with slushy and icy sections. Brenda lost control of her car, slid into the oncoming lane, and ran head-on into a pickup truck. Tragically, she was rendered quadriplegic.

A claim was brought against the Ministry of Transportation (“MTO”) for its failure to appropriately sand and salt the roadway.

Mr. Justice Jenkins found that the MTO was 70% at fault for the crash and the defendant appealed.

The Court of Appeal upheld the trial judge’s ruling and Brenda was awarded significant damages.

Mr. Mandel represented Brenda and her family both at trial and on Appeal.

Professional Accreditations and Affiliations

• Certified Specialist (Civil Litigation)
• LEXPERT^® Ranked Lawyer
• Listed in The Best Lawyers™ in Canada since 2010
• Martindale-Hubbell^® Ranked Lawyer, AV Preeminent^®
• Member of numerous legal societies and associations