Separating Injuries in Multi-Cause Cases: 7-Eleven v. Tommy

In 7-Eleven Canada Inc. v. Tommy,2025 BCCA 220 the BC Court of Appeal again revisited the doctrine of divisibility of injuries in tort law. The case concerned significant ankle fractures on 7-Eleven’s property in 2018. While liability was admitted on appeal, the focus was on whether the trial judge had erred by treating the claimant’s…

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Indivisible Injuries and Intervening Events in Personal Injury Claims

This Court of Appeal personal injury case  arises from two motor vehicle accidents March 8, 2018 and February 20, 2020. Additionally, the claimant was involved in a workplace slip-and-fall accident in November 2018. The trial judge, Justice Elwood, heard both motor vehicle actions together and found that the injuries, primarily to his neck, back, and…

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Expert Opinion on Medication Refusal Central to 70% Reduction in Award

In this review of Padgham v. Ram, 2025 BCCA 100 I focus on the key legal issues applied by the Court of Appeal in this personal injury claim. Failure to Take Recommended Medication The claimant appealed a personal injury damages award arising from a 2016 motor vehicle accident caused by a TransLink bus. While the…

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Disbursements and Expert Evidence Regulation

$360,000 Offer Rejected Resulting in $1 million Award: Double Costs Awarded

In the personal injury case of Reaume v. Rossetto, 2024 BCSC 1430, the Supreme Court of British Columbia  awarded double costs the a successful claimant. The claimant was awarded $1,021,953 in damages for personal injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Subsequently, she sought double costs from the defendants under Rule 9‑1(4) of the Supreme…

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future earnings

$6 Million Loss of Earnings Award

In the personal injury case Kherani v. Da Silva, 2024 BCSC 1349 the claimant sought damages for personal injuries arising from a 2017 motor vehicle accident. The collision affected her ability to work as an ophthalmic surgeon, leading to a significant loss of income-earning capacity. This case summary focuses on the plaintiff’s loss of earnings…

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ICBC auto insurance Monopoly

ICBC and False Claims of Judicial Bias

ICBC claimed bias of the trial judge in the following ICBC injury case. The Court of Appeal disagreed with ICBC,  BC’s auto insurance monopoly. In particular ICBC claimed, without success that it was unfair that the judge: Expressed cynicism about the legislature’s motives in limiting the number of expert reports that can be commissioned; Commented…

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Auto Injury Victims Sue for Discrimination in ICBC No Fault Benefits Scheme

How Much money will ICBC injury claimants get for injuries? The new ICBC laws eliminate the ability of car accident victims to bring claims to compensate for injuries. For accident after May 1, 2021 money is no longer awarded for pain and suffering as a result of negligent driving. ICBC injury benefits are now capped…

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ICBC Tries to Delay Injury Trial and Loses

If ICBC is not ready for trial, it can apply to the court for an order adjourning (rescheduling) it to a later date.  The court will not automatically adjourn a trial.  There is a heavy burden on ICBC to prove why an adjournment is necessary before the order is granted.  If the order is denied,…

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The Impact of Pre-Existing Injuries on ICBC Pain and Suffering Trial Awards

As discussed in prior blog posts on ICBC pain and suffering awards, damages for pain and suffering (also known as non-pecuniary damages) are intended to compensate an injured claimant for pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of amenities caused by the motor vehicle accident injuries. When deciding the amount to award to…

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Class Action Lawsuit Against ICBC Certified

A Supreme Court of British Columbia judge has certified a class action lawsuit on behalf of injured claimants and ratepayers against ICBC and the Government of BC in relation to making illegal ICBC payments to MSP contrary to the law. In relation to injured claimants, these illegal payments by ICBC are especially egregious for the…

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