Veterans fighting for full and fair lives founded Spinal Cord Injury Ontario
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Karen Vigmond and Harrison Cooper, associates at Ontario-based firm Oatley Vigmond Personal Injury Lawyers LLP, have received appointments to the board of directors of Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (SCIO) and of the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA), respectively.
“Congratulations on behalf of the entire firm to both lawyers for their new positions with these two highly respected organizations,” stated the firm’s news release, which said that Vigmond’s and Cooper’s nominations were ratified during the annual general meetings of the associations in the week of June 17.
Karen Vigmond, who joined Oatley Vigmond in 2013, exclusively focuses her practice on personal injury matters, including accident benefits, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice and occupiers’ liability. She aims to assist those with personal injury claims in Ontario, as well as their loved ones, in working toward the best possible outcomes.
Vigmond, who has acted and advocated for many individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries over the years, understands the life-changing impacts and obstacles faced by those living with a disability and which prevent them from having the best quality of life, including challenges regarding accessibility, lack of equipment and continuity of care.
Vigmond has been active in Spinal Cord Injury Ontario’s events since her teenage years and has volunteered with the organization since 2015, when she was appointed co-chairperson of its newly established Young Professionals Board. She received her Juris Doctor from Bond University in Australia and admission to the bar in January 2013. She articled at a Toronto-based personal injury firm.
Harrison Cooper, who garnered experience in personal injury litigation from the defence perspective during his previous work at a Toronto firm, seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of his clients and their loved ones and to provide a voice to individuals injured due to others’ negligence or wrongdoing.
Cooper is knowledgeable about the issue of acquired brain injuries due to his work as a personal injury lawyer. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Windsor and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Public Policy from the University of Guelph.
Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, which has more than seven decades of experience serving the spinal cord injury community, aims to support and advocate for and with individuals with spinal cord injuries. Veterans striving to lead full and fair lives despite their injuries founded the organization.
The Ontario Brain Injury Association, a registered charitable organization, seeks to improve the lives of those living with the impacts of acquired brain injury and to support survivors of brain injury, as well as caregivers and professionals, through education and awareness initiatives.