Harold Geller
Partner
Harold has more than 30 years of experience representing investors, policyholders and beneficiaries in financial-loss claims.
Harold has assisted more than 1,500 Canadians with financial-loss claims.
Sotos Investor Protection Group
Investment losses, locked-up funds or a life insurance dispute? We help you understand what happened and what you can do next.
Led by Harold Geller and Matthew W. Taylor, the Sotos Investor Protection Group represents investors, policyholders, beneficiaries and families across Canada in investment-loss, unsuitable-advice, financial-advisor misconduct and life-insurance disputes.
You do not need to know the legal term for what happened or have every document ready before contacting us.
Does your loss deserve a closer look?
Not every investment loss means that someone did something wrong.
A closer review may be worthwhile, however, when what happened does not match what you were told, what you understood or what was appropriate for your circumstances.
- The investment was riskier than you understood. You were told it was safe, conservative, stable or designed to protect your savings.
- Your advisor’s actions do not make sense. You see transactions, recommendations or changes that you do not recognize or cannot get explained.
- Your money is frozen or gated. You tried to withdraw or redeem your investment, but some or all of your capital remains inaccessible.
- An older or vulnerable family member may have been exploited. There are unexplained withdrawals, unusual investments, sudden changes or pressure from someone they trusted.
- A life insurance claim was denied or delayed. The insurer is raising concerns about the application, medical information, premiums, policy terms or how the policy was sold.
- A life insurance policy is not working as promised. You face unexpected premium demands, or a policy described as paid up or permanent is not providing the coverage you expected.
One warning sign does not prove that you have a legal claim.
Explore common investor questions
Explore questions about financial advice, changing circumstances and investment losses.
Understanding financial advice
Changing circumstances and family concerns
Assessing an investment loss
Access to money and portfolio concentration
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Sue My Financial Advisor for Losing My Money?
Possibly.
A market loss alone does not automatically create a legal claim. A claim may arise, however, when the loss was caused by unsuitable advice, negligence, misleading statements, unauthorized activity or misconduct.
The main question is whether the advice and activity in your account were appropriate for you and met the standards that applied.
What If My Money Is Gated or Frozen?
A gated or frozen investment restricts your ability to withdraw or redeem your money.
A key question is whether that possibility was properly explained and whether an illiquid investment was appropriate given your need to access your capital.
You do not necessarily have to wait until the investment becomes worthless before seeking advice.
Can Sotos Help With a Denied Life Insurance Claim?
Yes.
We review denied, delayed and disputed life insurance claims, as well as concerns about insurance advisor errors and unsuitable insurance products.
How Long Do I Have to Make a Claim?
Financial-loss claims are subject to limitation periods.
The deadline may depend on where you live, what happened and when you knew or should have known that your loss may have been caused by unsuitable advice, negligence or misconduct.
What Happens After You Contact Us?
1. Tell Us What Happened
You explain what happened in your own words.
2. We Review the Main Issues
A lawyer from the Sotos Investor Protection Group will review the information you provide.
If more information is needed, we will explain which documents may be helpful.
3. We Explain the Possible Next Steps
We will explain whether the matter appears to require further assessment and which recovery options may be available.
If further legal work is recommended, we will explain the proposed scope, next steps and fees before you decide whether to proceed.
Contact the team
Contact Harold Geller or Matthew W. Taylor directly, or request a confidential case assessment using the form below.
Matthew W. Taylor
Senior Associate
Matthew represents plaintiffs in complex investment, securities, professional-liability and class action litigation.
Matthew has appeared before the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Commercial List.
Request a confidential case assessment
Tell us what happened or what concerns you, who was involved and what you would like help with.
Start with what you know and the documents you have. You do not need to have every document ready before contacting us.