Structured Settlements: Are They Right for You?


September 4, 2018

Most of the time, when a plaintiff is injured and awarded damages by the courts, a lump sum payment will be ordered. Essentially, what this means is that the court will total all of the damage amounts from the various heads of damage that were awarded, such as general damages or cost of future care, and the total amount of money is ordered to be paid to the plaintiff all at once. However, on occasion the courts will order a structured settlement. A structured settlement is a settlement agreed to between the parties where the plaintiff receives the amount of their damages on a periodic, scheduled basis. Continue reading

Claims for Concussion Injuries in Sports: The Trickle-Down Effect


July 9, 2018

The University of Calgary’s Integrated Concussion Research Program has recently released exciting research that has led to the development of a tool that will allow doctors “to accurately and rapidly measure proteins and small molecules known to indicate an injury that is present in the brain.” This tool is set for clinical trials, with the goal that the device will be able to detect brain injuries hours after the trauma occurred.

While this research can potentially revolutionize treatment for those with brain injuries, I wanted to explain to those seeking compensation for concussion injuries that there has been a “trickle-down” effect. Continue reading

Bicycle Accidents: Who’s Liable and Riding Safely


June 27, 2018

June is bike month in Edmonton, when the City encourages everyone to enjoy the benefits of physical exercise, exposure to the great outdoors, and pure fun by increasing the amount they bike, whether for recreation or as transportation to school or work. Along with the benefits of biking come some potential hazards, however, and it is essential to keep safety in mind at all times. As experienced plaintiffs’ personal injury lawyers we offer the following insight into factors that affect liability (who’s at fault) for a cycling accident and some tips to ensure that you and your family have a safe and happy biking experience. Continue reading

Compensation for loss of consortium. When an accident injures your partner and kills your sex life, can you be compensated?


May 9, 2018

What is a loss of consortium and can I be compensated?

“Loss of consortium,” is a claim made for damages suffered by a spouse or family member of the person who has been injured or killed as a result of an accident. The amount of your damage award will vary according to the severity of the loss of society and comfort of your spouse. In cases where your relationship has been reduced to that of caregiver/care receiver, you might anticipate damages for “loss of consortium” ranging up to $40,000 and beyond. If the loss of your companionship with your spouse is of limited impact, or limited duration, damages for loss of consortium will be much lower, perhaps only ranging from $7,500 and above. Continue reading

Finding the best personal injury lawyer for your car accident claim


May 1, 2018

If you have sustained injuries from an accident you may be asking yourself where and how to start looking for a personal injury lawyer in Edmonton. As an accident victim you are already suffering from the pain of your injuries, coping with getting the right medical treatment and dealing with insurance adjusters. It can get overwhelming, very quickly. Knowing that you have a personal injury lawyer that you can trust to explain what’s going on and help you through the process can make it much easier to focus on your recovery.

A good lawyer will have dealt with your type of injury before and has the experience to guide you through the claims process. Continue reading

Compensation for Helping your Injured Loved One


April 10, 2018

When a loved one is injured, you naturally want to help.  Many spouses, parents, and other family members really step up to the plate to assist by providing caretaking, companionship, nursing, childcare, and transportation. Many also contribute financially by, for example, taking time off work or quitting their employment to take care of their injured loved one, refurbishing their homes to make them accessible and provide accommodation, or perhaps even purchasing adequate accommodation to meet the enhanced needs of their injured loved one. 

Giving up a job, expending money on home renovations or buying accessible housing each have a big financial impact. Continue reading