For the second year in a row, Gowling WLG has been recognized as the top law firm in two legal services categories of Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine's 2017 Readers' Choice Awards.

The Readers' Choice Awards are the result of an annual digital survey in which COS readers are invited to vote on their preferred vendors and providers in the health and safety industry — particularly those who they feel provide exceptional value.

This year, nearly 1,200 professionals participated in the survey and Gowling WLG was voted as the top provider in the categories of "Best OH&S Legal Services" and "Best Workers' Compensation Legal Services." The firm has been recognized in a special edition of COS magazine.

"For Canadian businesses, occupational health and safety violations are treated as quasi-criminal and occasionally even criminal matters. Penalties for these violations can impose staggering human, financial and administrative costs on employers in Canada, which is why managing them well and litigating them when necessary is so essential," explained Laura Mensch, Calgary-based partner and leader of Gowling WLG's Canadian Employment, Labour & Equalities Group.

"A safe workplace is the surest sign of respect for employees. It's also good business — and it's the law," added David Law, an employment partner in Ottawa. "Gowling WLG is proud to work with employers and to help them navigate the complex occupational health and safety landscape. It's an honour to be recognized by COS as top legal providers in this practice area."

Notable recent Gowling WLG client OH&S work includes:

  • Representing a gravel-crushing company that was charged with various offences under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act following a workplace fatality. Successful negotiations have resulted in a very reasonable fine, creative sentencing payment and appropriate conditions of corporate probation.
  • Acting for an oil and gas service company that was charged with several offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act following a serious workplace injury. In exchange for a plea of guilty to one charge, a reasonable fine was imposed and all remaining charges were withdrawn. The client also undertook a very impressive campaign, driven by the senior management of the company, to promote internal safety.

When it comes to OH&S and workers' compensation matters, Gowling WLG's Employment, Labour & Equalities Group helps employers prevent and protect against these risks. From training and advocacy to deep legal and medical knowledge, our professionals use their extensive experience and practical judgment to guide employers through the complexities of OH&S and workers' compensation law.

Published by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd., Canadian Occupational Safety is Canada's leading safety publication. The magazine covers a wide range of topics, from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards.