Category: Accidents

Safety Tips for a Happy and Safe Halloween 2021

Trick-or-treating is back! 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 hazardous night. It’s never a bad call to review Halloween safety tips.

Children and teenagers, decked out in Halloween costumes, will be out and about, going from house to house to gather treats from strangers, frequently in unknown neighbourhoods and in darkness. And don’t forget people of all ages attending Halloween parties where alcohol or drugs may be in the mix.

There’s also a new issue to consider this year: many children are, as yet, unvaccinated. Continue reading

Why You Should Stay off Social Media After You Are Injured in an Accident

Our experienced personal injury lawyers frequently talk to clients about why it’s best to take a break from social media until your lawsuit is resolved, either by way of settlement or adjudication. This may take months or years.

Limiting your social profile should include monitoring social media to make sure your friends and family are not sharing photos, videos or commentary about you that could create misunderstanding and jeopardize your case.

As of January 2021, over 32 million Canadians used social media. That number is equivalent to 84.9% of the population. While social media is a way to stay connected with friends, family and community, it is also a gold mine of information about you.

Continue reading

How You Can Support Someone with a Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury is a traumatic and devastating injury. Spinal cord injuries can cause an array of issues for the injured person. Changes in strength and sensation can sometimes result in permanent paralyzation that affects mobility and the ability to engage in daily activities. The debilitating effects of this type of injury can also lead to mental wellness challenges like depression and coping with anxiety about the future. In short, this is a life-changing injury that requires significant re-learning and adapting to a new reality for both the injured person and their loved ones. It can feel overwhelming.

If someone you love is suffering from a spinal cord injury, your role in their recovery will be crucial, but you may feel helpless with no idea how to help. Continue reading

No-Fault Auto Insurance in Alberta

Alberta’s advisory committee on insurance reform has recommended that the province change its auto insurance system to a no-fault system.  No-fault auto insurance is common in jurisdictions where government plays a larger role in people’s lives such as British Columbia and Saskatchewan. This system is inconsistent with the values of personal responsibility, self-determination, and fairness that Albertans hold dear. 

Experience in the U.S. and other provinces has also shown that no-fault doesn’t reduce premiums but leads to higher costs and fewer protections and civil rights for Albertans.  A no-fault insurance means that if you’re hurt or your vehicle is damaged in an accident, your own insurance company will pay for some of your losses, no matter who caused the accident. Continue reading

2021 Alberta Minor Injury Cap Announced

What is the cap for soft tissue injury compensation claims in Alberta?

The Superintendent of Insurance, Sherri Wilson has announced the 2020 soft tissue (minor injury) cap amount.  Since 2004, minor soft tissue injuries, including minor sprains and strains, have been limited by the government.  In 2004 the minor injury cap was $4,000 and that has moved up due to inflation to $5,365 in 2021, a 1.3% increase from 2020.

Before 2004 a less severe injury that lasted 3- 6 months may have been worth anywhere from $5,000 – $15,000 for the pain and suffering.  Since that time, the minor injury cap puts a limit on these less severe injuries and is set each year by the government. Continue reading

Four Steps to Coping with Emotional Trauma after a Car Accident

No one thinks twice about treating physical injuries that result from a car accident. First responders arrive at the accident scene immediately to assess and address any physical damage. If you have whiplash, you’ll likely visit a doctor or chiropractor multiple times until your pain becomes manageable. If you experience long-term health effects, you’ll continue to visit a physical therapist to learn coping strategies for returning to normal life.

However, unlike physical injuries, emotional injuries can be easy to ignore. We often tell ourselves we just need to “get over” the anxiety and PTSD that often follow a car accident, even though we would never tell ourselves to “get over” a broken leg or a brain injury. Continue reading