Prior ICBC Settlement not Deducted from Injury Award

Should a prior ICBC Settlement amount be deducted from a second and new car accident injury claim? We answer this question in today’s a motor vehicle accident case review. This personal injury case involves  a chronic pain claimant with a prior accident she settled with ICBC for $153,300 plus case expenses (the “Settlement”).  Should the claimant be awarded a global amount…

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How Much ICBC Pays for Whiplash Injury Claims

There are two types of losses, or damages, that can be claimed following a car accident whiplash injury in which the claimant is not at fault. First, Pecuniary damages for income loss and calculable out of pocket expenses. Second, Non-pecuniary damages to compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenities and loss of enjoyment of…

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The Most Important Personal Injury Cases of 2016

How many of these cases have you read? Personal Injury law evolves through changes in the common law application of accepted legal principles as well as legislative change and interpretation. This article focuses on changes in the common law and legislative interpretation in BC, not new legislation, of which there was very little in 2016…

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Awarded 2 Years of Future Income Loss – The Capital Asset Approach

The Honourable Mr. Justice Skolrood in Kweon v. Roy,2016 BCSC 2305  is the source of today’s article about evaluating loss of income in ICBC personal Injury claims. In Kweon the ICBC claimant was awarded $165,000 for Loss of future earning capacity and $175,000 for pain and suffering. The Court of Appeal in Ibbitson v. Cooper, 2012 BCCA 249…

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A Checklist for Future Loss of Earning Capacity Claims

The proper valuation of the loss of future income or earnings is critical to understanding how much an injury case is worth. When making a personal injury claim for future wage loss and loss of earning capacity in British Columbia the following legal principles are relevant: (a) General Duty to Compensate the Claimant To the extent possible,…

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ICBC Second Medical Examination Refused by Court

The ICBC adjuster required that the claimant attend at a medical examination with an orthopedic specialist following her car accident injury claim. The claimant attended and a medical report was ordered under Part 7, ICBC accident benefits.  The defendant then wanted the claimant to attend  a SECOND doctor, a physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) for the tort claim. The claimant…

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Functional Capacity Recommendations Awarded if Linked to Doctor Assessment

This personal injury award, $186,000 for injuries suffered in two motor vehicle accidents, was appealed by ICBC, the defendant’s insurer. The judge found the ICBC appellants liable for the two car accidents but ICBC argued that the judge had made serious mistakes in her findings of fault for the injuries and her findings of fact supporting the…

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$70,000 Award for Soft Tissue Injury Causing Major Disruption

The personal injury claimant was alone in her vehicle in Maple Ridge when the car following behind failed to stop in time and collided with the rear of the claimant’s vehicle. At the time, the claimant was 56 years old and employed as a bartender-server at a bowling alley.The claimant said that the effects of her injuries forced her to…

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$70,000 for Pain and Suffering with Persistent Low Back Ache

After a car accident non-pecuniary damages are awarded to compensate the claimant for pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of amenities.  The compensation awarded must be fair to the at fault party. Fairness is measured against court awards made in comparable cases. However other personal injury cases, though helpful, serve only as a rough guide. In…

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ICBC Loses over a Glare of the Eye

Prior Consistent Statements are Admissible to Rebut ICBC Claims of Fabrication This incredible win by the injury claimant on appeal reaffirms the evidence rule that prior consistent statements of injury claimants are admissible to rebut an allegation of recent fabrication (T. v. ICBC et al, 2016 BCCA 373).  Prior consistent statements can include ICBC dial-a-claim reports, signed ICBC…

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