How Gluckstein Lawyers fulfill the roles of 'allies, advocates, and compassionate professionals'
This article was provided by Gluckstein Lawyers.
When our son was diagnosed with kernicterus, we found ourselves navigating a path we had never expected to tread—a complex maze of medical records, unanswered questions, and a profoundly uncertain future. Maclain is a surviving twin, whose brother passed away from acute twin-to-twin transfusion. Maclain was delivered at 29 weeks and his entry into this world was not a smooth one: he spent over three months in the NICU. But despite the scary start, his diagnosis took us by surprise. My husband and I knew in the pit of our stomach that our son's kernicterus diagnosis and subsequent Cerebral Palsy and hearing loss diagnosis was not a result of his traumatic birth events. The more research we did, the more things did not add up and we knew we needed help to find out what happened and who was responsible. But not just any help—we needed advocates who would not only understand the intricate legal and medical details of our case but also see us as parents striving to give our child the dignity, support, and care he deserved.
After meeting with several firms, we quickly realized that the Gluckstein team was different. They were allies, advocates, and compassionate professionals dedicated to their clients beyond the strict boundaries of legal work.
Starting a legal claim was daunting. Like many, we didn’t know what to expect. We worried that if we pursued a claim against the hospital, it might compromise the care we received. What if we couldn't afford the fees? What if we lost our case and then lost our house? What would people think about us suing the hospital that had cared for Maclain in those fragile early days? Did we really want answers — what if the information was too hard to know?
From the first meeting, the depth of knowledge the Gluckstein team brought to the table immediately stood out. Our process questions were answered, and many fears were alleviated. They had an intricate understanding of the complicated medical malpractice landscape and made the overwhelming seem manageable.
But more than expertise, what gave us confidence was their client-focused approach. They understood that legal outcomes weren’t just about case law and negotiations; they were about people’s lives. Gluckstein's lawyers never hesitated to address our worries, explain the process step by step, or genuinely listen to our fears. Every meeting reinforced that we weren’t just a case file—we were a family they deeply cared about.
Legal cases, particularly medical malpractice claims, often feel as though the stakes couldn’t be higher. The layers of medical information, legal procedures, and emotional toll were overwhelming. We did not realize heading into this that these cases can take years to resolve, often over a decade. And we also learned quickly that while we felt our case was black and white and easy to prove, it was actually pretty gray in terms of the law and there was a lot of work to be done to hold the responsible parties accountable. My anxiety over the case and the potential outcomes were all-consuming at times. We considered quitting more than once because of how intense the whole situation was, plus we were raising two kids 19 months apart and one with a significant disability.
But our team brought exactly what we needed, organization and clarity, to an inherently chaotic experience. They skillfully coordinated all the moving parts—working with medical experts, gathering evidence, and preparing our case—with incredible diligence. Gluckstein’s support allowed us to focus on what mattered most—our son.
Throughout the process, they ensured we not only felt represented but also empowered. Knowing that they were fighting for what was right on our behalf removed so much of the weight from our shoulders.
Ultimately, our case settled. The result provided us with more than peace of mind—it gave our son the resources he desperately needed to thrive, and we were able to access funding to secure critical supports, including:
This legal journey wasn’t just about securing compensation—it was about creating a brighter future for our son. The settlement gave our family tools to ensure he has the best quality of life possible.
Through our experience with Gluckstein Lawyers, several key lessons emerged that can serve as valuable guidance for other lawyers working with clients in similar situations:
These lessons remind us that legal representation is about more than achieving a favourable outcome; it’s about standing with clients and providing the compassionate, dedicated advocacy they deserve. At Gluckstein Lawyers, that’s a guiding principle and we were lucky enough to benefit from their unique approach to justice.
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Brenda Agnew is the proud mother of two boys, Chase and Maclain. Her son, Maclain, has severe Cerebral Palsy and profound hearing loss as a result of a condition known as Kernicterus, a brain injury that results from untreated jaundice. As a former Gluckstein client herself, Brenda previously acted as our Client Liaison to support and advise our clients and their families throughout their case, before transitioning to her current role as Marketing Director.
Brenda tirelessly advocates for better systems and programs for children and individuals with cerebral palsy and other childhood onset disabilities and is passionate about accessibility and inclusion. She has been appointed to the Board of Directors for Easter Seals Ontario, is a school board trustee for the Halton Catholic District School Board and is an active member for volunteer organizations such as CP-Net, CHILD-BRIGHT Citizen Engagement Committee, and the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee among others.
