Since 2010, Holness and Small Law Group has written over 1000 legal blog articles. We believe that staying informed and current with personal injury news and case developments is essential to providing proper legal services to our clients when advocating for their rights.

Should I Talk to a Lawyer After a Car Accident

Legal consultations after a car accident are free at most law firms in Vancouver. A victim to a car accident and the family must decide whether to advocate by themselves or with a professional in pursuing necessary compensation following an accident injury. Call a lawyer if you meet the following criteria: Complex Case Depending on the complexity…

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Lawyers Guard Confidentiality and Bring Important Claims

A personal injury lawyer’s duty to guard confidentiality and to serve the best interest of the client is recognized in this Court of Appeal decision : Nuttall v. K.,2018 BCCA 341. The lawyer successfully appealed a special costs order against him for adding a party to a hit and run personal injury claim, which was found later…

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Double Costs Reduced for Late Offer as Jury Dismisses Claim

In this case review the injury claimant was rear-ended in a car accident and claimed a loss of $500,000 due to her injury.  The defendants admitted liability and called for a jury trial. About two months before the jury trial the defendants made an offer to settle the case for $50,000 plus taxable costs and disbursements. Two weeks before…

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ICBC Pays Double for Failing to Accept Settlement Offer

For ICBC, money must really grow on trees. In this car accident injury case the claimant delivered a formal offer to settle for $398,000 less what had already been paid by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, ICBC. The defendants countered with a settlement offer of $238,000 less what had already been paid by ICBC. The Court…

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Settling with ICBC and the Cost of Expert Reports

ICBC suffered a knock out blow in this car accident case. ICBC had made formal offers to settle in the amounts of $25,000.00 and $35,000.00 for personal injuries and subsequently settled for $45,000.00 plus costs and disbursements (case expensese) agreed or assessed. The claimants case expenses totalled $32,000 at the time of settlement. Three months after…

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Compensation for Loss of Business Denied Despite Injuries

In this case study, the small business owners suffered neck injuries and soft tissue injury in a car accident that occurred at the intersection of 57th Avenue and Angus Drive in Vancouver. The claimants’ vehicle was knocked to the curb being hit on the left front corner. The vehicle’s two front seat airbags deployed and ICBC deemed the vehicle…

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Treating Psychiatrist Opinion Needed to Avoid Adverse Inference

The Judge agreed to instruct the jury, in this personal injury case, that they can draw an adverse inference from the claimant’s failure to have her treating psychiatrist provide an opinion.(Brar v. Ismail, 2018 BCSC 1487) The claimant’s depression was a central factor in this personal injury lawsuit.  She claimed the car accident significantly aggravated her…

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Immigration File Disclosure in a Personal Injury Case

The claimant was injured in a motor vehicle accident and alleged the car accident caused physical and psychological injury, including nervous shock. The claimant emigrated to Canada 10 years before the application and had come with a history of  experiencing beatings, tortures and slavery. The defendant sought a court order for his file from Immigration, Refugees…

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$115,000 Somatic Symptom Syndrome Pain and Suffering Award

This 46-year-old self employed bookkeeper and housekeeper sustained personal injuries in a rear end motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Lovers’ Lane and Cameron Taggart Road in Cobble Hill, British Columbia. After the claimant had stopped at the intersection, her car was struck from behind by a minivan. The defendants admitted liability. As a result of the…

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$1.2 Million Injury Award for Concussion, Tinnitus and Depression

This 47 year old plumber and business owner suffered injuries in a car accident on Highway 97 just south of Quesnel, B.C.  The other driver’s GMC pick-up truck crossed over the highway’s center line and collided with a trailer being towed by the claimant and traveling in the opposite direction.  The next morning he called ICBC and…

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