Nick de Koning

About Nick de Koning

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Nick has lived in Waterloo Region since 1992. He spent much of his childhood in Alberta and Saskatchewan, moving to Brantford, Ontario, where he attended Brantford Collegiate Institute. Nick graduated in 1998 from the University of Waterloo where he earned an honours Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. Prior to attending law school he also attended Conestoga College where he took journalism courses and obtained a diploma in General Arts and Sciences. Nick attended law school at Western University (formerly the University of Western Ontario) where he graduated in 2002.

Nick began working at Miller Thomson in 2002 and became a partner at the firm in 2009. Nick remained there until joining forces with Rob in 2018. Nick became a partner in the firm in 2024. Nick developed extensive experience in personal injury matters while at Miller Thomson. Nick worked in the area of defence of claims made against auto insurance and life and health insurance companies. His practice had an emphasis on statutory accident benefit disputes and long-term disability claims. His name appears in a number of reported decisions of the Superior Court of Justice, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) and the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT). He also acted for injured plaintiffs, which he found to be very rewarding. Nick is pleased to draw on this experience to assist injured and disabled clients at Deutschmann Law. Nick is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association, the Advocates Society, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, and formerly a member of the Canadian Defence Lawyers.


Nick currently lives in Waterloo with his wife, Cheryl, and their two daughters, Olivia and Claire, who keep the family busy with dance, music, volleyball and lacrosse schedules. Nick enjoys spending time with family, especially visiting new places in Canada and beyond, and cheering on the Kitchener Rangers and KW Titans. He likes helping out at his kids’ schools when volunteers are needed and at his local neighborhood association.

Nick is an active volunteer in his community. He has been on the board of the Clay and Glass Gallery located on Caroline Street in Waterloo since 2012. Nick is a rider and support of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad, raising funds to support prostate cancer research and raising public awareness of the disease. Nick also sits as a volunteer panel member on the City of Waterloo's Licensing Appeals Committee, which deals with appeals and minor variance applications under several Waterloo by-laws. He also acts as volunteer mediator and arbitrator for the local Better Business Bureau’s dispute resolution program, which provides an alternative to Small Claims Court for disputes between consumers and businesses.

Nick de Koning

Read more about Nick in the News and Important Decisions below.

Listed for personal injury law
in the Canadian legal lexpert directory

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Nick in the News

WebIs garage liable for a car thief's injuries?, by Gordon Paul - TheRecord.com, April 12, 2018
Nick discusses a landmark ruling that found a Bruce County garage partly liable for injuries suffered by a teen who stole a car from the business.

PDF“Court of Appeal Takes Expansive Approach to Definition of ‘Accident’ in Caughy Decision,” KW OIAA Monthly Bulletin, May 2016 (reprinted in Lexology, November 1, 2016)

“Leading Legal Innovation,” GRAND Magazine, 2015

PDFPanelist and speaker, Canadian Insurance Claims Managers’ Association seminars regarding Bill 15 reforms and transition to Licence Appeal Tribunal, September 2, 2015.
Nick was invited as guest speaker from a defence perspective, presenting to approximately forty claims managers from various auto insurance companies.

PDFPanelist and speaker at “Crash Course–the Life of A Claim” multi-disciplinary seminar at Bingeman’s, Kitchener, June 2, 2015.
Nick spoke from a defence perspective on best practices for handling claims of catastrophic impairment.

PDF“Successful Motion Confirms Defendant’s Right to Prepare Insurer Examiners for Trial,” Ontario Accident Benefit Case Summaries October, 2014 (reprinted in Lexology October 23, 2014)

PDF“Recent FSCO Decisions Limit Consequences of Insurers’ Technical Errors on SABS Claims” (Miller Thomson Blog 2010)

Important Cases

PDFDe Boyrie v TD Insurance Meloche Monnex - decision dated April 19, 2023
After a three day hearing before the Licence Appeal Tribunal, the arbitrator found that our client was entitled to Income Replacement Benefits. The insurer had relied on the opinions of various insurer examinations and terminated our client’s benefits. The adjudicator found that our client was unable to work due to psychological impairments, preferring the evidence of our expert over that of the insurer. The insurer had introduced various surveillance repots and also some YouTube videos that our client had prepared. However the insurer’s counsel did not make much use of this information during the hearing and the adjudicator placed little weight on this evidence. Of note, the adjudicator did not consider that our client met the test for post 104 IRBs as a result of physical impairment, though our client was diagnosed with chronic pain. The adjudicator did not accept the client suffering from “chronic pain or any physical impairment” largely due to the medical record because in the time period shortly following the accident, the adjudicator determined that our client made “few physical complaints to her family doctor”. Further the adjudicator made a point to say there were no “objective findings of musculoskeletal impairment”.

PDFMichael McAulay and Certas Home and Auto Insurance Company
This was a recent decision from the Licence Appeal Tribunal. The insurer was trying to get another medical assessment of our client prior to a Catastrophic impairment hearing. Nick was successful at the motion. The arbitrator agreed with our position and denied the insurer the opportunity for another medical assessment of our client. If the insurer was successful, it would have resulted in a delay of up to a year before our client’s Catastrophic impairment hearing would have been heard. As a result, the hearing was to proceed as originally scheduled.

PDFMarchione-Faragher & Dominion -- Reconsideration Decision
Our client had a very significant pre accident medical history. She had been involved in a number of accidents prior to the accident that was the subject of her accident benefit claim. Following the most recent accident the client declined significantly. She suffered from overall chronic pain and major depression. We were able to show that prior to the last accident she had made a good recovery and had reached a point where she was considering employment opportunities. Following the subject accident her decline was significant and she had significant difficulties with any employment and her activities of daily living. The insurer denied that she was catastrophically impaired and the matter was brought to a Licence Appeal Tribunal hearing. We were successful at the LAT hearing and the insurer asked for a reconsideration. In the decision below the adjudicator found that the insurers request for reconsideration was not supported. We were successful in demonstrating that there was no grounds for a reconsideration and that the insurer was attempting to relitigate the hearing in which they were not successful.

PDFA.M.F. and The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, decision of June 21, 2019
Our client was involved in a minor rear end car accident. Unfortunately, over time, the impact of that accident had some significant consequences for our client. After a multi day hearing, the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) ruled in our client’s favour and found her to be Catastrophically impaired as defined under the Statutory Accident Benefits schedule (SABs). The adjudicator found that she had one marked impairment. Further, the adjudicator also found that she had a 55% whole person impairment as a result of a GAF of 38. The adjudicator preferred the evidence of our client’s expert and treating physician over the expert opinion provided by the insurer. Our client will now be able to access a higher level of medical benefits and also have the benefit of a case manager to assist her in accessing needed medical services.

PDFBrad Ashworth and Ministry of Employment and Social Development, decision of September 27, 2018
Our client suffered a back injury in a car accident of 2013. Unfortunately, his mental health declined and he fell into a deep depression as his chronic back pain failed to improve. His claim for a CPP disability benefit had been declined initially and again at the reconsideration stage. However, we were successful at an in-person hearing before the Social Security Tribunal. The SST adjudicator accepted that it was the totality of mental and physical impairments that had to be considered, not just the chronic back pain. Our client had a severe disability, given the cumulative effect of the chronic back pain and his mental health impairments. One reason our client’s claim was originally denied was because he was only 29 years at the time his disability arose, the premise being that such a young person must have some work capacity. The SST adjudicator accepted that while age is a relevant consideration, we had proven our client had a severe and prolonged disability that prevented him from working at any reasonable job, given his background in warehouse and restaurant work. His chronic pain and depression rendered him an unreliable employee who could not adhere to a schedule . He had a severe disability that had not improved with treatment, such that he was entitled to the CPP benefits.

PDFJason Naemtz and Ministry of Employment and Social Development dated March 12, 2018
Our client suffered a serious back injury that resulted in chronic pain and ongoing severe disability. His work as a welder was very physical. He had always worked as a welder. He stayed home and took care of his infant child. He did not attempt alternate work as he felt he was incapable of sustaining any other work, even on a part-time basis. The Ministry felt that he had some work capacity and that he could be working. However there was no evidence of work capacity. The medical records showed the opposite. But the Ministry felt that if he was not pursuing active medical treatment then he must have work capacity. We were able to show that he suffered a severe and prolonged disability such that he did not have work capacity and therefore unable to sustain any full-time or part-time work.

PDFKidder and Economical Mutual Insurance Company, FSCO Appeal File P15-0008, decision of Delegate David Evans of January 28, 2016.
The applicant was unsuccessful with his appeal as he essentially attempted to revisit the arbitrator’s factual findings. The Appeals Delegate reviewed the applicable test for “error of law” in the accident benefits context.

PDFKidder and Economical Mutual Insurance Company, FSCO File A12-006704, decision of December 19, 2014.
Nick represented the insurer in this FSCO arbitration in which the insurer was successful in resisting a claim of catastrophic impairment. The applicant’s claims of disability were contradicted by surveillance evidence.

PDFLacroix v. Federation Insurance Company of Canada, 2014 ONSC 6002 (CanLII) (also published in Ontario Reports).
Nick acted for the defendant, an accident benefits insurer. This lengthy matter, involving a 2007 accident, proceeded to trial in 2014. Before the trial, the plaintiff’s counsel wrote to the defendant’s proposed medical witnesses (all insurer’s examiners) advising them not to speak to defence counsel on the basis the plaintiff did not consent to this. The trial judge confirmed the right of the AB insurer and its counsel to speak to medical witnesses in advance of trial. No consent is needed from the plaintiff.

PDFKent v. Stop ‘N’ Cash 1000 Inc. et al 2006 CanLII 22660 (ON SC).
Nick represented the plaintiff who was successful in this wrongful dismissal action against companies operated by two business partners who had had a fallng out. Both had denied that the plaintiff was their employee. The judge found in favour of the plaintiff and awarded damages against both.

PDFDaoud Seyed v. Federation Insurance Company of Canada FSCO File A07-002110, decision of June 8, 2009.
Nick represented the insurer who was successful in having all claims dismissed. The applicant was found not to be credible. The applicant unsuccessfully argued that certain minor technical shortcomings in the adjusting of the file made him automatically entitled to some benefits.

PDFAshkan Azimi v. Economical Mutual Insurance Company FSCO File A08-002596, decision of June 7, 2010.
Nick represented the insurer who was successful in having the arbitration dismissed on the basis that the applicant failed to establish, on a balance of probability, that he was involved in an “accident.”

PDFMrs. S. and Economical Mutual Insurance Company FSCO File A08-001275, decision of February 12, 2010.
Nick acted for the insurer who was successful. The arbitration was dismissed. The applicant could not establish that she was employed at the time of the accident, and thus entitled to income replacement or housekeeping and home maintenance benefits. The case contains discussion on why technical breaches on the part of the insurer do not create substantive benefit entitlement where the applicant could not prove entitlement on the merits.

PDFShmuel vs Perth Insurance, FSCO arbitration, file A11-002436.
Nick acted for the AB insurer. The applicant, who suffered some soft tissue injuries, made a claim for $29,900 of medical/chiro expenses. He also claimed four costs of examinations and housekeeping and attendant care. All claims were dismissed, except the applicant was allowed $6300 for medical, not because the merits, but on a technical basis as the arbitrator ruled these items were "deemed approved."

PDFShmuel vs Perth - FSCO appeal, file P13-00026, a decision of Delegate Evans.
Nick acted for the insurance company on this successful appeal of the $6300 award mentioned above. This appeal turned on the proper interpretation of section 38 of the 2010 Schedule (O. Reg. 34/10). The Appeals Delegate allowed the appeal and dismissed the arbitration entirely. The OCF-18 Treatment and Assessment Plans in question had not been responded to, mainly because the insurer had been bombarded with dozens of similar and redundant Plans. Despite the fact some Plans were not responded to, the applicant still was not entitled to payment because the evidence at the hearing did not substantiate that any expenses had been incurred in connection with those specific Plans. Section 38 does not use the term "deemed approval.” Rather, it requires the insurer to pay for goods and services that have bona fide been incurred in relation to such a Plan 11 days or more after it was submitted, until the Plan actually is responded to.

PDFMrs. S and Economical appeal- FSCO file P10-0005, a decision of Delegate Blackman.
The applicant unsuccessfully appealed the FSCO arbitration decision mentioned above. Nick acted for the insurer. The applicant made some creative technical arguments why the benefits should be payable despite the applicant not being entitled on the merits, due to some irregularities in the insurer's conduct. For example, the applicant argued for an interpretation of the Schedule that would result in income replacement benefits being payable, even though the arbitrator found that the applicant was unemployed and made up the evidence about working at a restaurant. These arguments were all rejected and the appeal was dismissed.

PDFAshok Emmanuvel and Economical- FSCO file A11-000560.
The insurer’s position was that an accident did not happen. The insurer relied largely on evidence of professional engineer Sam Kodsi to show the vehicles did not appear to have come in contact. Although both of the vehicles allegedly in the accident had some damage, the engineer showed that there was no paint transfer between the vehicles and the damage was consistent with other unrelated events. Also, there were various suspicious circumstances which the arbitrator also noted reflected poorly on the applicants' credibility.

PDFSpengen Estate, 2005 CanLII 47782 (also reported in the Ontario Reports).
Nick acted successfully for the beneficiary of a modest estate where a compensation claim by an individual (who was both estate trustee and solicitor) seemed excessive. Nick successfully argued the compensation should be reduced because the estate was modest, the estate mostly consisted of passive savings and investments and the trustee/solicitor had little work to do.

PDFRe Spengen Estate. 2006 CanLII 2780.
Nick was successful with a claim for substantial indemnity costs payable personally by the estate trustee/lawyer mentioned above, who had defied a court order for format of costs submissions, and encumbered the court with volumes of unnecessary affidavit and supporting material.

PDFM.R. vs State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, LAT file 16-003757. Decision of October 18. 2017.
We were successful for the insurer in resisting a claim for post-104 IRBs. The arbitrator found that the applicant failed to prove his claim on a balance of probabilities. Although the applicant did have some medical evidence supporting his claim, the report writers used vague and indeterminate language (such as "infirmity" and stress). The diagnoses and prognoses given were too vague and the applicant's reports were not directed adequately to the test of complete inability to engage in an occupation for which suited by education, training or experience. This decision emphasises the needs for expert evidence to be properly focused on the issue at hand.

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