How Much is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?


May 13, 2020

For many people injured in an accident, pursuing compensation for their injuries is a necessary part of their road to recovery. The first question we often get asked when meeting with an injured person is, “How much is my claim worth?” Unfortunately, the answer is often “It depends.” We know that can be frustrating to hear, but there are many factors that go into evaluating the value of a claim, and every case is different. Below are just some of the factors that may affect how much you might receive from a court in damages if you sue the person or persons responsible for your injuries. Continue reading

COVID-19 Notice for Clients: What We are Doing to Help Contain the Virus


March 16, 2020

To Our Valued Clients,

As of March 16, 2020 the Public Health Agency of Canada and Alberta Health Services are asking all residents to take steps to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  We all have a role to play in this and we want to assure you that our offices are adopting the recommended precautions to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The following precautions are in place at our offices:

  • Any staff who have travelled outside of Canada will be self-isolating at home for 14 days;
  • Any staff who have been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who has demonstrated symptoms of COVID-19 will be self-isolating at home for 14 days;
  • Any staff who are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 will be self-isolating at home for 14 days;
  • Unless absolutely necessary, all client meetings will be conducted by way of phone conference or video conference;
  • The elevator banks in our building are now locked off to the public during business hours. 
Continue reading

Auto Insurance Reform Online Survey (Deadline: March 6, 2020). No-fault Insurance Will Have Serious Consequences for Injured People. What You Need to Know.


March 3, 2020

You may have heard that the Alberta Government is looking to reform the province’s Auto Insurance system. An online survey has been set up to collect input from Albertans. No details have been provided on what the new system would look like, but there has been reference to moving to a no-fault system.

We encourage all Albertans to take part in the survey and let the Government know what you want (and what you don’t want). You can find the link to the survey at the bottom of this post.

Before you provide your input, it’s important to understand in practical terms what a shift to a no-fault system will mean if you, or a loved one, is seriously injured in a car accident.

Continue reading

Winter Driving Tips for Motorists


November 7, 2019

Alberta winters can be beautiful, but they can also be dangerous. Snow piles up on the road; blizzards impair drivers’ vision, and ice makes it easier for cars to slip.

Fortunately, car accident fatalities usually decrease during the winter. More people stay inside instead of risking bad weather, and most people drive slowly in bad weather.  However, accidents tend to increase on the first day or two after a snowstorm as drivers adjust to the new weather conditions. 

Not all accidents can be avoided, especially when you’re the victim of a negligent driver. But there are steps you can take to keep yourself and others on the road safe this winter. Continue reading

Halloween: the Scariest Night of the Year for Personal Injury Lawyers


October 29, 2019

Halloween, steeped in its Celtic origins, has been embraced as a fun holiday by most Canadians, including children, teenagers, and adults. For those who celebrate Halloween, this is a wonderful time of the year. For an experienced plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer, however, Halloween can be a very scary night.

Young children, decked out in colourful costumes idealizing what they would like to be, or dressed as their favourite pop culture character, will run from house to house to gather treats from strangers, frequently in unknown neighbourhoods and in darkness. Teenagers will gather for raucous Halloween parties with their friends, frequently indulging in alcohol or drugs. Continue reading

The Real Costs of Distracted Driving


October 21, 2019

Distracted driving, as a contributing cause of serious accidents, is not new but the causes of distraction have increased as our society adopts new and more pervasive technology.

The RCMP considers distracted driving a form of impaired driving, because “a driver’s judgement is compromised when they are not fully focused on the road.” In Alberta alone, there were 23,546 distracted driving convictions in 2018. In an effort to reduce distracted driving incidents, as of January 1, 2016, penalties for distracted driving in Alberta began to include three demerit points in addition to a $287 fine.

Research released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicates that drivers using mobile devices, whether hands-free or hand-held, are more than four times as likely to be involved in a crash. Continue reading