Sivan Tumarkin
B.A. (Hons.), LL.B.
National Co-Managing Partner
Practice Areas
Disability Insurance Law, Personal Injury Law
Location
Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver
Experience
Sivan Tumarkin is National Co-Managing Partner of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and heads the firm’s Disability & Personal Injury Law practice group across Canada. He also acts as a mediator for parties seeking to resolve their disputes efficiently and equitably.
Prior to co-founding Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, Sivan worked at one of the top insurance defence law firms in Canada. His clientele included insurance companies, municipalities and major retail corporations throughout Ontario. His previous experience working for insurance companies has given him unique insight into the long-term disability claim denial and appeals process, allowing him to secure strong results for his clients. Read reviews about Sivan.
Long-term Disability and Personal Injury Practice
Sivan acts primarily on behalf of Plaintiffs in long-term disability and personal injury claims. In the past, he has represented both Plaintiffs and Defendants with claims involving very serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Orthopaedic injuries
- Psychological injuries
- Chronic soft-tissue injuries
In addition to injuries, Sivan has represented families where a relative has been killed through negligence. He has participated in and litigated both jury and non-jury trials. Sivan’s expertise has been invaluable for mediating and resolving complex multimillion-dollar claims.
Mediation Practice
Having participated in countless mediations as an advocate for disabled and injured individuals, as well as on behalf of insurance companies, Sivan has developed a great appreciation for the nuances of long-term disability and serious personal injury claims, as well as the costs of litigation. He is always ready and willing to act as mediator and help parties resolve their differences.
Television & Radio Hosting
The Disability Law Show on TV
The Disability Law Show (formerly In Your Corner) is the TV show that the insurance industry doesn’t want you to watch! Hosted by disability lawyers Sivan Tumarkin and James K. Fireman, and co-hosted by John Scholes, Canada’s only TV show on long term disability rights provides viewers on Global TV and CTV in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. with the inside edge on how to defend their rights when their long term disability claim is denied or cut off.
Watch episodes of the Disability Law Show
The Disability Law Show on Radio
The Disablity Law Show with disability lawyers Sivan Tumarkin, James K. Fireman, and Martin Willemse airs weekly on Global News Radio 640 Toronto, 980 CKNW in Vancouver, Newstalk 1010 in Toronto, and Newstalk 580 CFRA in Ottawa, and answers the many questions listeners have about their rights to compensation following an LTD claim denial by the insurance company.
Listen to episodes of the Disability Law Show
Accident Rights
Every Sunday at 4 p.m. MT on QR Calgary, Sivan and his colleagues at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP explore your options when navigating the impact of a serious car accident in Alberta, and reveal how to get the proper compensation you need. If you have questions after a collision, Accident Rights is the program you can’t miss.
Interviews & Media
Strong Media Presence
Sivan is often called upon to comment on legal cases (including ones he is handling) by various media outlets throughout Canada, including the CBC, Global News, Toronto Star, National Post, CTV News, Global News Radio 640 Toronto, Newstalk 1010, Newstalk 580 CFRA, Global News Radio 900 CHML, and others.
Interview Highlights
- CBC Interview about the difficulty navigating long-term disability claim denials for mental health
- Paraplegic told he “wasn’t disabled enough” to qualify for long-term disability (National Post and CBC News)
- Class-action lawsuit launched against TD Insurance over travel canceled due to COVID-19
- Lawsuits filed against Arch Insurance and Old Republic after school trips canceled
- Newstalk 1010 interview about long-term disability claim denials and COVID-19
- “Million Dollar Baby”: Insurance company denies claim for $1 million after baby born in Hawaii
- TD Insurance denies claim from nurse undergoing chemotherapy
- Rankin’s Garage found liable after teen crashes stolen car, suffers brain injury
- Edmonton cyclist faces $6,000 bill after collision with SUV
- Why the Yonge Street van attack lawsuits face issues
- Calgary father wants Tim Hortons to cool their tea after son’s injury
- Insurance company offers $8 for mileage to hospital instead of compensation for eye injury
- Global News Radio interview about a doctor who misrepresented peoples’ injuries to favour insurance companies, deny LTD benefits
- COVID-19 Long-haulers denied disability benefits (Global News)
- Sivan on Killer nurse Elizabeth Wetlauffer and issues at long-term care facilities
- Ontario government proposing ending out-of-country OHIP coverage for travel outside Canada (CityNews)
Articles & Blogs
2022
- Jury awards $1.5M to stroke sufferer after LTD claim denial
- Totally Disabled: What does it mean in an LTD claim?
2021
- 5 Common Terms You Must Know Before You Apply for LTD
- 3 Things You Can Do If You’re Denied Long-term Disability
- Half of COVID-19 patients report symptoms after 12 weeks
- Coronaphobia and Long-term Disability Claims: 3 Things to Know
2020
- Travel Insurance Claim Denials and Compensation
- Business Interruption Insurance Denied During COVID-19
2019
Notable Cases
Kevin Lyons v. The Toronto-Dominion Bank
Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has launched a national class action lawsuit against TD (TD Bank and TD Home and Auto Insurance Company) over its refusal to honour travel insurance claims across Canada and provide full compensation claimants. TD is denying these claims on the basis that the claimants have been offered credits or vouchers.
Carter Adnams v. Arch Insurance Canada LTD.
Canadian families across the country have decided to take legal action against Arch Insurance as they have not been properly compensated for school trips cancelled due to the pandemic.
Chmielowiec v. Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada
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.
Education
Sivan received an Honours B.A. in Psychology from York University and subsequently an LL.B. from Queen’s University. Recently, he completed a program on negotiation and leadership at Harvard Law School.
More from Sivan Tumarkin
The latest articles, episodes, news and contributions from one of Canada's top disability and personal injury lawyers.Blog
TD facing travel insurance class-action lawsuit
Insurance lawyer Sivan Tumarkin joined Global News' Sean O'Shea to discuss the TD Insurance Class-Action Lawsuit.
Disability Law Show
3 Myths about “Total Disability” in LTD Claims | Disability Law Show TV – S4 E01
3 MYTHS ABOUT TOTAL DISABILITY IN LTD CLAIMS on Season 4 Episode 01 of the Disability Law Show with disability lawyer and…
Blog
Not paralyzed enough: N.S. man sues to be recognized as paraplegic
A man was told by his insurance company that he is not quite paralyzed enough for compensation and is now fighting to…