June 4, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

Seatbelt Defences — Schenker v. Scott

Reasons last week from the BC Court of Appeal re-affirming that for a seatbelt defence to succeed, the defendant must adduce evidence that the seatbelt would have made a difference (though the possibility an inference of causation can be made in particular circumstances is acknowledged): [41]         However, the judge’s conclusion…

Continue Reading

May 15, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

Jury Trial for Toronto Maple Leaf Cody Franson

Reasons today from Madam Justice Fisher in Franson v. Caldarella, 2014 BCSC 853.  Current Toronto Maple Leaf and former Vancouver Giant was injured in a car accident in 2008.  In this lawsuit, he alleges that the injuries he suffered in that accident delayed his entry into the NHL resulting in significant…

Continue Reading

April 8, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

Plaintiff Credibility Matters: Unreliable Plaintiff’s Claim Dismissed

Reasons on Monday from a 4-day trial in March, 2012: Fancy v. Gareau, 2014 BCSC 584.  The plaintiff claimed to be injured in a September, 2008, accident.  However, her evidence was wholly inconsistent with forms she had completed for WorkSafeBC regarding a workplace accident she had had some months prior. [84]         At…

Continue Reading

April 2, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

Liability of “Common Carriers”

Reasons today from Mr. Justice Abrioux in Bideci v. Neuhold, 2014 BCSC 542, a case involving the liability of common carriers.  The case arose from injuries suffered by a 93-year-old man who fell when a bus driver pulled out from a stop before the plaintiff had a chance to exit. The…

Continue Reading

March 27, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

Bette Midler and Lay Opinion Evidence

Reasons today from Mr. Justice Sigurdson in Giczi v. Kandola, 2014 BCSC 508, a case in which the plaintiff suffered serious injuries that prevented her from, for better or for worse, being able to pursue a career as a Bette Midler tribute artist. Of particular interest is the Court’s discussion of…

Continue Reading

March 25, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

The Seatbelt Defence — Lakhani v. Samson

An otherwise blameless plaintiff injured in an accident can be found contributorily negligent for failing to wear a seatbelt.  However, the burden rests with the defendant to establish a seatbelt defence.  As stated by Madam Justice Hyslop in Schenker v. Scott, 2013 BCSC 599, to establish a seatbelt defence a defendant…

Continue Reading

March 20, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

The Plaintiff’s Credibility – Facebook Tactics

Reasons for judgment today from Madam Justice Griffin following an 11-day trial in J.D. v. Chandra; J.D. v. Collier, 2014 BCSC 466.  The plaintiff was injured in car accidents in 2006 and 2010.  She was 17 at the time of the first accident.  By the time of trial, she was…

Continue Reading

March 19, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

Parking lots aren’t places of safety; future care claims

The Court of Appeal released reasons today in Russell v. Parks, 2014 BCCA 104, overturning the trial judge’s apportionment of liability and awarding future care costs that had been refused. The plaintiff was hit by the defendant’s vehicle in a Cranbrook strip mall parking lot.  He had stepped over a small…

Continue Reading

March 18, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

Liability waivers in commercial recreational sports

CBC Marketplace recently ran a segment on liability waivers in commercial recreational sports. Click to view a written version of the show. In the course of the segment, they speak to a former client of mine who was injured in a zip lining accident where the zipline outfit was clearly…

Continue Reading

February 11, 2014

Kevin Gourlay

Use of statements in clinical records

A decision from early 2013, Kostecki v. Li, 2013 BCSC 2451, was posted recently regarding the use of statements in clinical records.  Defence counsel had cross-examined the plaintiff on statements in clinical records she purportedly made to a neurologist and a physiotherapist.  The plaintiff denied making the statements and counsel didn’t…

Continue Reading

Contact us for a free consultation

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Disclaimer: The use of the internet or this Form for communication with the firm or its lawyers and staff is not secure and does not establish a lawyer-client relationship. Do not send confidential or time-sensitive information through this Form. If you need to send this type of information please call us first.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Or call us at: 1-888-683-9621