Category: Personal Injury

Experts in Personal Injury Claims

by John McKiggan

“An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.”
Niels Bohr
Witnesses in a personal injury claim trial, or any trial for that matter, are only allowed to testify to facts. However, in some circumstances a witness may be allowed to offer an opinion. Only witnesses that have been accepted by the court as an expert in their field can offer their opinion.

Who Can Be An Expert?

Almost anyone can be qualified as an expert if they have special knowledge in a certain field that the average person doesn’t have.

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Posted in: Experts, Insurance Claims, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

Brain Injury Leading Cause of Death and Serious Injury for Skiers and Snowboarders

by John McKiggan

A new study from the University of Calgary has found that wearing a helmet while skiing or snowboarding reduces the risk of head injuries by 35%.

A report in the latest in the latest Canadian Medical Association Journal reported that traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury to skiers and snowboarders. Studies have found that between 2 and 5 of every 10 traumatic brain injuries could have been prevented by wearing a helmet.

Ski Industry Rejects Calls for Mandatory Helmet Use

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

NDP Requests Public Input Regarding “Minor Injury” Compensation Cap

by John McKiggan

Darrel Dexter’s NDP Government pledged to remove the unfair $2,500.00 cap on compensation for motor vehicle accident victims who have suffered a “minor injury”.

Constitutional Challenge Unsuccessful

A constitutional challenge was filed against the legislation arguing that the cap of $2,500.00 for persons who have supposedly suffered a minor injury was contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The constitutional challenge failed at both the trial level and the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. Leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada has been filed.

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Child Injuries, Insurance Claims, Minor Injury Cap, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

Facebook Being Used Against Personal Injury Victims

by John McKiggan

Defence Lawyers on Facebook

Everybody seems to be interested in Facebook, Twitter and all the other social media networks these days. That includes lawyers who represent insurance companies. There have been a series of cases across Canada where lawyers for insurance companies have demanded production of plaintiffs’ Facebook pages in order to use the information against the plaintiff.

Depressed Victim Looked Too Happy

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Drug Injuries, Fatal Accidents, Insurance Claims, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Product Liability, Uncategorized

Lawyer Fees: How To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

by John McKiggan

Lawyer Fees Generally

Usually lawyers are paid an hourly rate for the time they spend working on behalf of the claim. For the most part, the hourly rate changed by lawyers increases depending on the lawyer’s experience and, in particular, the lawyer’s experience in the particular field in which he is being retained.

Time = Money

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Posted in: Car Accidents, Legal Fees, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

What is “Vicarious Liability”? Halifax Personal Injury Lawyer Explains

by John McKiggan

Direct Liability

The term vicarious liability comes up in personal injury claims frequently. In most cases, your claim will be against the person who directly caused your injuries. For example, if you are run over by a car while walking in a cross walk, you can sue the driver of the car who may be found directly liable (at fault) for your injuries.

Vicarious Liability

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Posted in: Car Accidents, Fatal Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death Claims

Mandatory Helmets for Recreational Ice Skaters: Brain Injury Prevention

by John McKiggan

I noticed an interesting story in the latest newsletter from the Brain Injury Association of Canada
Hockey Helmets Mandatory for All Skaters

Dalhousie’s Memorial Arena is introducing a new rule that comes into effect January 1, 2010 that will require all skaters to wear CSA-approved hockey helmets during all skating sessions held at Dalhousie.

Skating More Dangerous than Bicycling or Skateboarding

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

Head Injuries the Result of “Culture” Within the Sports

by John McKiggan

Head Injury Seminar

Hockey Canada is conducting its 2009 concussion seminar in Regina this week. The seminar, being staged jointly by Hockey Canada and the Dr. Tom Pashby Sports Safety Fund invites hockey player, parents, team managers, therapists, coaches and trainers, physicians and other medical professionals to receive up to date information on the diagnosis, treatment and return to play protocol for players who suffer from a concussion.

Concussions a Problem in Hockey

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Child Injuries, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

What is a “Discovery”? Halifax Personal Injury Lawyer Explains

by John McKiggan

The Discovery Process

One of the most important steps in any personally injury claim is the oral discovery. If you file a lawsuit for compensation for personal injuries you will be required to testify about your knowledge of the event that lead to the lawsuit and your knowledge of the injuries that you have suffered.

In other words; what happened? How badly were you injured? How have the injuries effected your life?

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Posted in: Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Child Injuries, Fatal Accidents, Fatal Injury Claims, Insurance Claims, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death Claims