Halifax Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

December 16th, 2009

Head Injuries the Result of “Culture” Within the Sports

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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December 14th, 2009

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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December 11th, 2009

Research May Show How to Heal Brain Injuries

by John McKiggan

A new study out of Boston Children’s Hospital published in the December issue of the journal Neuron shows that injured nerve fibers (axons) can regenerate when certain genes are deleted.

Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Usually Permanent

Victims of brain injury and spinal cord injury often suffer permanent and catastrophic injuries because their damaged nerve axons cannot regenerate. However, a team from the neurobiology centre at the Children’s Hospital of Boston indicates that axon regeneration is inhibited by certain genes.

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November 18th, 2009

Parents Cannot Waive Children’s Right to Sue for Negligence

by John McKiggan

Parental Waivers Not Worth the Paper They Are Printed On?

In what appears to be the first ruling of its kind in Canada, the British Columbia Supreme Court has ruled that parents cannot waive their children’s rights to sue for negligence when the child is injured as a result of participating in recreational or sports activities.

In Wong v. Lock’s Martial Arts Centre Inc, Justice Willcock held that British Columbia’s Infants Act:

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November 18th, 2009

John McKiggan Elected as Vice President of Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association

by John McKiggan

On Saturday November 14, 2009, I was honoured to be elected as the Vice President of the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association (APTLA).

APTLA is an organization dedicated to obtaining legal redress for those who have suffered injury or injustice.

APTLA was founded 10 years ago to help protect the rights of innocent citizens. In these challenging times of tort reform, the rights of innocent victims are being ripped away to increase the profits of insurance companies, and the need for a strong clear voice to speak up for the vulnerable is greater than ever.

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November 12th, 2009

Class Actions Provide Access to Justice

by John McKiggan

I have been asked to speak at the Atlantic Province’s Trial Lawyers Association conference tomorrow about certification of class actions.

The goals of class action legislation have been stated again and again in various decisions from other provinces across the country. They are:

(a) Access to justice;
(b) Judicial economy ; and,
(c) Deterrence or behaviour modification.

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November 11th, 2009

Lest We Forget

by John McKiggan

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September 21st, 2009

Blast Waves Can Cause Brain Injury Without Blow to the Head

by John McKiggan

Brain Injury Myth Debunked Again

It is a common myth of traumatic brain injury that you need to strike your head in order to suffer a brain injury.

For example, read my previous post, Traumatic Brain Injury Claims: Myth #2 You Have to Hit Your head to Suffer a Brain Injury

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September 18th, 2009

Traumatic Brain Injuries May be Cured by Injectable Gel

by John McKiggan

Gel Encourages Growth of Brain Tissue

Bio engineers at Clemson University have created a gel made up of both synthetic and natural materials that they say has the ability to help brain tissues grow at the site of a traumatic brain injury.

Ning Zhang presented her findings on September 2, 2009 at the Military Research Forum, a conference focused on improving the health of members of the armed forces.

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August 26th, 2009

Claimant Dies After Settling Claim – Insurance Company Tries to Back Out of Deal

by John McKiggan

The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia recently released the decision of the Estate of Theresa Anne Jollimore v. The Personal Insurance Company of Canada. The decision of Justice Coady involves a case where a minor (Jollimore) suffered a serious brain injury when the car in which she was a passenger was involved in a car accident.

Father Acts as Litigation Guardian

Because she was a minor, Ms. Jollimore’s father was appointed by the court as her litigation guardian to act on her behalf to bring forward her compensation claim.

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