Category: Personal Injuries

What happens when a child is injured while a passenger in a vehicle driven by a family member?

The leading cause of death for Canadian children is unintentional and preventable accidents, according to Raising Canada 2020,  a report produced by non-profit children’s welfare organization Children First Canada. Further, data from the Public Health Agency of Canada published in Injury in Review, 2020 Edition confirms that a major cause of serious injuries and death for Canadian children is transportation collisions.

In most cases, children are passengers, not drivers, and it is often a family member who is driving. No one wants to cause injury to a child, let alone a parent or family member, but accidents can happen at any time. 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

Bell Let’s Talk: Your Mental Well-being, COVID-19, and Coping with a Personal Injury

What is the Bell “Let’s Talk” Campaign

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many Canadians to take on feelings of stress and anxiety. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed as we continue to tackle the pandemic, and people living with mental health challenges may find it especially difficult to cope. 

Bell’s “Let’s Talk” annual mental health initiative is January 28, 2021. “Let’s Talk” is intended to promote awareness of mental illness and help people take action to seek out the support and treatment they need. The campaign is based on four pillars:

  • Fighting the stigma that is often associated with mental health issues
  • Improving access to care for people facing mental health challenges
  • Fostering workplaces that support mental wellness
  • Supporting ongoing world-class research

In case you don’t know how it works, Bell will donate 5¢ towards mental health initiatives in Canada, for every text, call, tweet, Instagram post, Facebook video view and Snapchat geo filter on January 25th, regardless of your cell phone carrier. 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