Williams v. Condon 2007 CanLII 14925 (ON S.C.)

Steven Williams was a pedestrian when he was struck and seriously injured by the defendant. The driver's insurance company was State Farm Insurance, and for payments of $2400 and $5300 he signed a complete release of all claims. He claimed the he did not even read the documents. Some time later, while still in pain and having difficulty working, he approached State Farm for further benefits but was refused. State Farm took the position that the releases he had signed were final and the matter was ended. Williams testified that he had been consuming significant amounts of alcohol on a regular basis since the accident to mask the pain, and that he had been taking prescription and nonprescription medicines as well. He stated that on the date when he signed the releases he had consumed five or six king-size cans of beer and a couple of painkillers and that he was, according to witnesses, visually intoxicated. Also, he had been chewing gum to disguise the smell of liquor on his breath when he signed the release.

Explain the issues before the court, the arguments of the parties and the likely outcome