Jury Awards Much More than ICBC Offer but No Double Costs says Judge

This injury claimant made an offer to settle in the amount of $195,000 about 2 weeks before trial and ICBC responded with an unrealistic and meager $70,000 offer. It only took the jury 6 hours to award $294,500 as damages for the injuries she sustained in a motor vehicle accident. This jury verdict was an incredible 4x…

Local Governments Allowed Draconian Bar on Injury Claims

Our law makes it more difficult to sue local governments than private citizens. Local governments are treated differently from other litigants in BC by requiring injury claimants to give written notice within a very short period following an incident to the local government. Most local citizens are unaware of this requirement and when injured on city…

$212,000 ICBC Injury Settlement Ordered to be Paid by Drunk Driver

The victim of a drunk driving accident settled with ICBC by way of an all-inclusive payment by ICBC in the amount of $212,000.  The drunk driver responsible admitted the settlement was reasonable but denied being drunk and refused to repay ICBC the settlement amount paid to his victim, as is required in such cases of insurance…

Particulars of Special Damages Required in Civil Case

The lawsuit after a car accident injury usually includes a very general claim for losses such as “injury, loss and damage”. However, the insurance company lawyer can demand more details, what is referred to as “particulars” of your injuries and losses claimed. In today’s article we address whether it is necessary to give ICBC a list…

$40,000 Awarded for Loss of Homemaking Capacity

This is a personal injury case arising out a car accident which occurred on Howes Street in New Westminster. As the claimant entered an intersection on a green light another vehicle suddenly turned in front of her causing a collision. Loss of the ability to do work within the home is compensable as a loss of…

Business Pays for Poor Staff Training in Slip and Fall Case

This “slip and fall” personal injury claim was brought after a customer of the Chopped Leaf Restaurant in Kelowna slipped on an unknown food item (Robinson v. 1390709 Alberta Ltd.,2017 BCCA 175). The Court of Appeal has confirmed two important elements in establishing negligence in slip and fall cases: It is not good enough for a business…

When Rejecting an ICBC Offer is Reasonable

The Supreme Court has confirmed that it is not unreasonable for a car accident claimant to reject an ICBC offer if the medical evidence supports a claim of chronic pain not recognized in the offer (Bains v. Antle, 2017 BCSC 590).  This claimant was awarded only $37,800 by a jury but was still awarded her court costs by the…

Google Earth to be an Important Tool in the Injury Lawyers Toolkit

Unquestionably one of the most compelling destination compendiums of our planet,  Google Earth is sure to assist many personal injury lawyers steer clients and potential clients in the right direction.  The future is bright for this mother of all Earth browsers, so here are a few important features personal injury lawyers need to know: Seamless transition from 3D…

Higher Burden of Proof for Pain Disorder Dismissed

In this important Court of Appeal decision the court has upheld an award of $85,000 for pain and suffering arising out of a somatic symptom disorder, despite credibility and reliability issues. Also, and more importantly to the personal injury lawyers out there, the Court has dismissed the “higher burden of proof” rhetoric that has been read into…

Claimant Without Lawyer Has Welfare Deducted

In this self represented car accident case the injury claimant was awarded $49,000 for what she called incapacitating and permanent injuries.  The claimant asked the court to award her approximately $175,000 for pain and suffering s, $243,000 in past wage loss, $616,000 for impaired earning capacity, $409,000 in future care costs, $20,000 in housekeeping expenses and $12,000…