Expert did not meet with, examine or interview plaintiff = NO WEIGHT.
On November 30, 2015, the BC Supreme Court rejected the opinion of a defence retained doctor who “did not meet with, examine or interview” the plaintiff but nonetheless authored a report opining on the plaintiff’s injuries. In Preston v. Kontzamanis Mr. Justice Parrett provided the following critical comments for medico-legal practices: [125] The defendant provided and relied upon what purported to be an independent medical report (IME) by Dr. Boyle. [126] Dr. Boyle readily acknowledged that he was not asked to and did not meet with, examine or interview the plaintiff. [127] Dr....
read moreJury can know about all defence medical examinations.
On November 27, 2015, the BC Supreme Court confirmed that it is fair game for plaintiffs to testify that they attended a defence medical exam where no report was produced and the defence is not relying on opinion evidence from their expert. In Norris v. Burgess the plaintiff alleged injury as a result of two collisions. The defendants denied any injury occurred. In the course of the lawsuit the plaintiff attended a defence medical appointment with a psychiatrist. The defendants “chose not to obtain a medical opinion from the psychiatrist” and did not call him as a witness. In the course...
read more“Inconsistent” jury award requires a new trial.
On November 26, 2015, a judge of the BC Supreme Court ordered a retrial in a personal injury lawsuit after a jury awarded special damages but denied the plaintiff damages for his non-pecuniary loss. In Harder v. Poettcker , 2015 BCSC 2180, the plaintiff requested a jury trial after suffering injuries in a motor vehicle accident. The jury found the plaintiff 85% at fault for the crash and awarded a total $5,100 in damages (all based on out of pocket expenses) and then awarded nothing for non pecuniary damages. After applying the split of fault this left an award of $765. The trial judge...
read moreCourt of Appeal finds the insurer acted in bad faith.
On November 17, 2015, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal upheld awards of both aggravated and punitive damages against a long-term disability insurer, but reduced the aggravated damages to $90,000, and reduced the punitive damages to $60,000, in Industrial Alliance v Brine, 2015 NSCA 104. On June 18, 2014, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia held, at 2014 NSSC 219, that the long-term disability insurer Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. (“Industrial”) must account for years of unfair treatment of its insured, Bruce Brine. The court ordered Industrial to pay...
read moreLong Term Disability Insurance – common questions.
Q.What is long-term disability insurance? A. Long-term disability (LTD) insurance is designed to provide replacement income should you become disabled from work. Often, LTD coverage is bundled together with short-term disability coverage (which may cover, for example, only the first six months of disability) under a group insurance plan provided through your employer. If you have a private life or accident and sickness policy, you may have LTD coverage as well. Q. What types of disability are covered? A. Coverage varies from policy to policy, but generally speaking, LTD policies cover any...
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