Author: Ron Jewitt

Alberta Minor Injury Cap – Update 2024

The Superintendent of Insurance Interpretation Bulletin 09-2023 confirms the annual increase in the Minor Injury Cap; the amount for non-pecuniary damages for minor injuries sustained in car accidents in Alberta.

Effective January 1, 2024, the maximum minor injury amount of $5,817 was adjusted by 4.2% to $6,061. The new amount is applicable to minor injuries resulting from automobile accidents that occur in Alberta on or after January 1, 2024.

Questions about the Minor Injury Cap and how it affects you?

We are always happy to help people understand their options regarding an injury claim. Contact us if you would like a free consultation to get answers about your specific situation. Continue reading

Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs): What you need to know

If you are injured in an accident and have started a lawsuit against the person you believe is responsible, your ultimate goal is to obtain monetary compensation for your injuries and losses. A key consideration in determining the appropriate amount of compensation you are entitled to is the extent of your injuries and how they affect your life. Often, these elements will be contested by the at-fault party, who may believe your injuries are less serious than you claim.

It is important for both sides to have a clear understanding of what your injuries are, what your prospect for improvement is, and what type of treatment you will need in the future. Continue reading

Alberta Minor Injury Cap – Update 2023

The Superintendent of Insurance Interpretation Bulletin 09-2022 confirms the annual increase in the Minor Injury Cap; the amount for non-pecuniary damages for minor injuries sustained in car accidents in Alberta.

Effective January 1, 2023, the maximum minor injury amount of $5,488 will be adjusted by six per cent, to $5,817. The new amount is applicable to minor injuries resulting from automobile accidents that occur in Alberta on
or after January 1, 2023.

Questions about the Minor Injury Cap and how it affects you? We are always happy to help people understand their options regarding an injury claim. Contact us if you would like a free consultation to get answers about your specific situation. Continue reading

Functional Capacity Evaluations: What Are They And What Are My Rights?

If you have been injured in an accident, you may have spent some time off work to heal and recover from your injuries. At some point along your healing journey, your employer and/or your insurer may begin to contemplate your return to work. They may want to know how well you have healed and what kinds of tasks you may or may not be able to resume.  

To assess your condition, they may ask you to attend an examination known as a residual employability assessment or Functional Capacity Evaluation (“FCE”). 

An FCE may be part of plans for a gradual return to work. Continue reading

Compensation for Cycling Injuries: What you Need to Know

Biking is becoming an “all weather” pastime in Alberta. Many people have adopted winter biking on their “fat bikes,” as a way to maintain their health while commuting to work in urban settings, or recreationally, enjoying the pathways groomed for winter bikers. There is also a correlation between an increase in biking generally and the restrictions imposed during the pandemic. More cyclists on the roads all year round means more cycling injuries.

Cyclists who continue to bike during winter and early spring face additional challenges. Slippery roads, low visibility with shorter days, and the snow and ice on the roads can force drivers and cyclists to share a narrower space in the winter months. Continue reading

Minor Injury Regulation Update – The Cap Inflationary Adjustment for 2022

The Superintendent of Insurance’s Interpretation Bulletin 05-2021 confirms the annual increase in the amount for non-pecuniary damages for minor injuries sustained in car accidents in Alberta.

Effective Jan 1, 2022, the maximum minor injury amount of $5,365 will be adjusted by 2.3% to $5,488. The new amount applies to injuries resulting from automobile accidents that occur in Alberta on or after January 1, 2022.

If you sustain soft tissue injuries in a car accident you may have heard reference to the minor injury cap or been told that by an insurance company representative that your injury is “caught by the cap.”  Continue reading