Renn A. Holness is a gifted lawyer and author to over 1000 legal blog articles. Married father of two daughters, son of a neurosurgeon and founder of Holness and Small Law Group

Legal Analysis for Multiple Car Accident Whiplash Claims

This ICBC personal injury claim arose out of two rear-end motor vehicle accidents.  The claimant  was involved in a third accident in which he was at fault. The question arose as to what impact, if any, the claimant’s responsibility for the third accident should have on the defendants’ liability for the consequences of his injuries (Derksen v. Nicholson,Insurance…

Whiplash Award Reduced to $30,000 for failure to follow Medical Advice

In this whiplash soft tissue injury case the claimant was injured in three motor vehicle accidents and fault had been admitted by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia ICBC (Gupta v. ICBC et al, 2015 BCSC 608).  The judge however awarded the claimant $45,000 for pain and suffering but reduced it to $30,000 stating: [the claimant] has…

Admitting ICBC Records Miscarriage of Justice in Personal Injury Case

The Court of Appeal ordered a new trial for this 15 year old car accident personal injury claim involving soft tissue injury, mild traumatic brain injury and unaccepted ICBC offers of $50,000, $110,00 and $120,000 (Han v. Park, 2015 BCCA 324). A documents binder allowed to be given to the jury included: a police accident report; the…

When ICBC must pay for Your Lost Wages and Lost Vacation Pay

If you have lost income or vacation time due to a car accident injury, the Insurance Corporation of BC, ICBC, may be responsible for paying some or all of your net wage loss and vacation pay. The following is an outline and checklist for claiming loss of wages and an explanation of the claim for loss…

$45,000 Pain and Suffering Award to 81 Year Old Car Accident Victim

A personal injury award for pain and suffering is not reduced by a limited life expectancy and according to the Supreme Court of BC, advanced age should not be a factor either way in arriving at an appropriate award. This personal injury arose from a car accident at the intersection of Inverness Street and West 41st Avenue…

$25,000 Penalty against Claimant in Personal Injury Case Overturned

The claimant suffered injuries in a car accident, alleged loss of earnings but failed to disclose court ordered work calendars, personal loan documents, and income tax returns. The Master ordered a harsh sanction of $25,000 against the claimant for failure to disclose the documents. The Supreme Court ,on Appeal, however disagreed with this harsh and punitive sanction (Badreldin v.…

Vancouver Car Accident Report to ICBC

Learn about reporting a car accident in Vancouver. Here are some helpful links to checklists and articles about when, where, why and how to report a car accident in Vancouver to  the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, ICBC: Report Accident to ICBC with a Lawyer VS. Without a Lawyer: Is there a Difference? Making an ICBC…

Metal Pole to the Head Lands $297,000 Award for Inner Ear Injury

Fueled by a drunken rage, the defendant drove over to the claimant’s house in Mission B.C. armed with a metal pole intent on inflicting grievous bodily harm. The claimant said that the truck came bouncing down the driveway towards the house with its horn honking. A fight ensued in which the claimant suffered a serious blow to…

Cost of Medical Experts and Legal Fees Awarded to Injury Claimant

This personal injury claimant, born and raised in the Lower Mainland, was awarded $14,000 for his legal costs and the defendant was ordered the pay the trial costs of the his medical experts (Mothe v. Silva,2015 BCSC 1053 ). The claimant was injured in a motor vehicle accident that occurred at River Road in Richmond, BC…