Lawsuit Against ICBC Lawyer Dismissed as Wild Speculation

This Lawyer  was hired by ICBC to defend against several car accident personal injury claims in 2002. The first three car accidents went to trial with claimant having no lawyer to advocate his case. In his submission to the court, lawyer Mr. Paul Warnett, hired by ICBC, questioned the extent to which the claimant was injured in any of the three…

Time Limits for ICBC Claims and Settlements

When it comes to settling personal injury claims, car accidents involving ICBC have several unique limitations, deadlines and time limits.  Do not let the ICBC adjuster bully you into to settling your case too early. ICBC adjusters may try to raise concerns about expenses and legal costs to have you pursue your claim without a legal advocate. ICBC…

ICBC Denies Hit and Run Claim but Court Disagrees

This personal injury case was lodged against the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (“ICBC”) for damages arising from a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision which occurred near the Strawberry Hill commercial complex at the corner of 120th Street and 72nd Avenue in Surrey, British Columbia. ICBC was named as the nominal defendant in this action as the claimant was unable…

Reasonable Offer to Settle vs. Offers that Ought Reasonably be Accepted

The Supreme Court has presented a new interpretation to offers to settle when it comes to ICBC settlement offers(Kobetitch v. Belski,2018 BCSC 2247). This personal injury lawsuit involved two motor vehicle accidents, the jury awarding the claimant $760,000.  ICBC sought costs of the trial based on offers to settle delivered before the trial began. The first ICBC offer…

Economist Reports Admitted Late in Personal Injury Case

The defendants objected to the admission of expert reports tendered by the claimant on two grounds including the lateness of two economists’ reports. Pursuant to Rule 11‑6(3), the economist reports should have been served 84 days before the trial. The report were 12 days late, being served 72 days before the trial commenced. This was a mistake. …

Winning Substantial Success in a Personal Injury Case

In many personal injury cases there are several claims being made and some of these claims may not be successful at trial. How do you know when you have achieved substantial success? This is important when deciding on entitlement to legal costs and disbursements. Your substantial success will help determine the amount of money you…

No Jury for Complex Brain Injury Case

The Supreme Court ruled this accident injury claim too difficult for a jury. The ruling of Master Dick found the injury case required prolonged examination of documents and scientific investigation.  The Master allowed the application to be heard after the filing of a second Jury Notice, which appears to have extended the time for applying to strike the…

Awards for Future Loss of Earnings differ from Awards for Past Wage Loss

The Court of Appeal has upheld a $200,000.00 award to a 25-year old student for loss of future earning capacity despite having no settled pattern of employment, and no causal link between her injuries and her inability to keep positions in her desired field of employment. (Layes v. Stevens,2018 BCCA 415). An ICBC offer to…

Rear Ending Vehicle Not Faulted for Agony of Collision

In this unusual car accident case the claimant was driving west on Marine Way in Burnaby approaching Byrne Road when a vehicle driving east lost control of his car, went over the median and collided with the claimant’s vehicle. Another vehicle was travelling west on Marine Way behind the claimant and rear-ended the claimant’s vehicle. The claims…

Caps on ICBC Pain and Suffering Awards an Obstacle to Justice

This is an appeal of an order dismissing a constitutional challenge to the requirement  to pay daily hearing fees in civil trials.(Cambie Surgeries Corporation v. British Columbia (Attorney General),2018 BCCA 385). This case outlines a few of the issues the BC government will face in trying to justify the denial of rights to the injured with ICBC injury caps,…