Banning toboggan hills in Toronto: Personal injury lawyer on ‘nonsensical’ decision with Global News

Interview Summary

Approximately 45 toboggan hills in Toronto were deemed too dangerous by the city, and banned from public use.

This decision has sparked outrage from many across the city and led to questions surrounding liability.

Some city councillors are considering reversing the ban. Does banning toboggan hills efficiently prevent injuries? Can a ban prevent families from pursuing legal action against the city if injuries do occur?

Sivan Tumarkin, an Ontario personal injury lawyer and Managing Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, spoke to Global News Toronto on the decision.

Interview Notes

“It is completely nonsensical, it makes zero sense,” Tumarkin stated.

He went on to explain that it’s typically difficult and rare for lawsuits regarding accidents on toboggan hills to be filed and won.

Despite this, a ban wouldn’t prevent potential lawsuits.

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“[The city] can deal with the problem and minimize the liability in different ways. They can mandate helmets, for example. They can mandate supervision … they can have signs that say, ‘Use a toboggan at your own risk,” Tumarkin advised.

Ultimately, Toronto could benefit instead from implementing other measures, such as listing the specific hazards for each hill.