Pain and Suffering and Your ICBC Claim

One of the most common questions asked of me through this blog is “how much is my Pain and Suffering worth in my ICBC personal injury tort claim?”.  The answer to this, of course, depends on various factors and who better to discuss these than a BC Supreme Court judge?
On that point, reasons for judgement were released today discussing the law of ‘pain and suffering’ in tort claims.  Pain and Suffering is awarded under the legal head of damage called “Non-Pecuniary Loss”.  Non Pecuniary Loss includes damages for “pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of amenities”.
In today’s case $70,000 was awarded in non-pecuniary damages as a result injuries sustained in a 2005 BC car crash.  In doing so Madam Justice Russell summarized the law of non-pecuniary damages ar paragraphs 104-105 of the judgment as follows:

Non-pecuniary damages

[104]        The purpose of non-pecuniary damage awards is to compensate the plaintiff for “pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of amenities”: Jackson v. Lai, 2007 BCSC 1023, B.C.J. No. 1535 at para. 134; see also Andrews v. Grand & Toy Alberta Ltd., [1978] 2 S.C.R. 229; Kuskis v. Tin, 2008 BCSC 862, B.C.J. No. 1248.  While each award must be made with reference to the particular circumstances and facts of the case, other cases may serve as a guide to assist the court in arriving at an award that is just and fair to both parties: Kuskis at para. 136. 

[105]        There are a number of factors that courts must take into account when assessing this type of claim.  The majority judgment in Stapley v. Hejslet, 2006 BCCA 34, 263 D.L.R. (4th) 19, outlines a number of factors to consider, at para. 46:

The inexhaustive list of common factors cited in Boyd [Boyd v. Harris, 2004 BCCA 146] that influence an award of non-pecuniary damages includes:

(a)      age of the plaintiff;

(b)      nature of the injury;

(c)      severity and duration of pain;

(d)      disability;

(e)      emotional suffering; and

(f)      loss or impairment of life;

I would add the following factors, although they may arguably be subsumed in the above list:

(g)      impairment of family, marital and social relationships;

(h)      impairment of physical and mental abilities;

(i)       loss of lifestyle; and

(j)       the plaintiff’s stoicism (as a factor that should not, generally speaking, penalize the plaintiff: Giang v. Clayton, [2005] B.C.J. No. 163, 2005 BCCA 54 (B.C. C.A.)).

Cases such as this one are key in helping one understand the principles behind awards for pain and suffering in ICBC tort claims.  Once the general principles of this head of damage are understood, the extent of injuries and prognosis known, and cases with similar injuries are canvassed the easier it will be to value the potential range of damages for pain and suffering in an ICBC personal injury (tort) claim.

how much is my icbc injury claim worth, ICBC claims, non-pecuniary damages, pain and suffering, tort claims

Comments (68)

  • I just want to mention I’m new to blogging and honestly enjoyed this website. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your blog . You definitely have really good articles. Thank you for sharing your web site.

  • Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a great web-site.

  • Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your weblog. You have some really good articles and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Many thanks!

  • Thanks for this article. I’d also like to express that it can become hard if you are in school and merely starting out to initiate a long history of credit. There are many scholars who are just simply trying to make it and have an extended or favourable credit history are often a difficult matter to have.

  • A powerful share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing slightly evaluation on this. And he in truth purchased me breakfast because I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If attainable, as you grow to be expertise, would you mind updating your blog with extra details? It’s extremely useful for me. Big thumb up for this weblog publish!

  • hi!,I really like your writing so a lot! proportion we keep up a correspondence more approximately your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this area to unravel my problem. Maybe that is you! Taking a look ahead to see you.

  • There are some fascinating points in time in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There may be some validity but I’ll take hold opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Added to FeedBurner as effectively

  • Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too magnificent. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a terrific site.

  • One thing I’d prefer to discuss is that weightloss routine fast can be carried out by the proper diet and exercise. Someone’s size not only affects the look, but also the complete quality of life. Self-esteem, major depression, health risks, as well as physical ability are disturbed in excess weight. It is possible to make everything right but still gain. In such a circumstance, a medical problem may be the culprit. While a lot of food and never enough exercising are usually guilty, common medical ailments and traditionally used prescriptions can easily greatly enhance size. Thx for your post right here.

  • Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.

  • Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to grasp a lot about this, such as you wrote the book in it or something. I feel that you just can do with a few to power the message house a little bit, however other than that, that is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.

  • Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What an ideal site.

  • Hey very cool site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also…I am happy to find numerous useful info here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  • A person essentially assist to make severely articles I might state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this actual submit amazing. Great process!

  • There are actually a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That may be a great level to convey up. I provide the ideas above as common inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you carry up where the most important factor will be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged round things like that, but I’m sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Both boys and girls feel the affect of only a secondís pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.

  • Howdy I am so glad I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Yahoo for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a remarkable post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the superb work.

  • Hey there I am so thrilled I found your website, I really found you by mistake, while I was researching on Google for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a incredible post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the excellent job.

  • Kept in sent gave feel will oh it we. Has pleasure procured men laughing shutters nay. Old insipidity motionless continuing law shy partiality. Depending acuteness dependent eat use dejection. Unpleasing astonished discovered not nor shy. Morning hearted now met yet beloved evening. Has and upon his last here must.

  • Amazing blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design. With thanks

  • Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  • Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually realize what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please additionally discuss with my website =). We could have a link exchange agreement among us!

  • Howdy would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price? Thanks, I appreciate it!

  • We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome weblog!

  • I’m still learning from you, but I’m making my way to the top as well. I certainly enjoy reading everything that is posted on your site.Keep the information coming. I enjoyed it!

  • Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  • My husband and i have been absolutely joyous when Jordan could complete his researching from your precious recommendations he obtained from your web site. It is now and again perplexing just to choose to be giving out helpful tips men and women have been making money from. Therefore we keep in mind we have got the writer to thank for this. The main illustrations you made, the simple blog menu, the relationships your site give support to instill – it’s most impressive, and it is assisting our son and our family feel that this idea is interesting, and that is very important. Thanks for everything!

  • I am no longer sure where you are getting your information, however good topic. I must spend some time studying much more or figuring out more. Thank you for excellent information I was in search of this information for my mission.

  • I have not checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  • I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!

  • Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thank you

  • I would like to show my passion for your generosity in support of people that actually need assistance with your matter. Your personal dedication to passing the solution up and down ended up being amazingly helpful and have allowed some individuals just like me to achieve their pursuits. Your own useful useful information can mean much to me and extremely more to my colleagues. Best wishes; from each one of us.

  • Excellent website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get opinions from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Kudos!

  • Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a handful of unrelated data, nevertheless actually worth taking a search, whoa did one particular find out about Mid East has got far more problerms as well.

  • Nice blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  • I used to be more than happy to seek out this web-site.I needed to thanks to your time for this glorious read!! I undoubtedly having fun with every little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  • Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

  • I like this post, enjoyed this one thank you for posting. “What is a thousand years Time is short for one who thinks, endless for one who yearns.” by Alain.

  • Hi there would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a honest price? Cheers, I appreciate it!

  • I haven¡¦t checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  • I have recently started a web site, the info you provide on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work. “Men must be taught as if you taught them not, And things unknown proposed as things forgot.” by Alexander Pope.

  • we like to honor a lot of other world-wide-web web sites on the net, even when they arent linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages really worth checking out

  • Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

  • Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your website is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this web site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a great web-site.

  • I believe that is one of the so much significant info for me. And i am glad studying your article. But want to commentary on few general issues, The web site style is great, the articles is in point of fact great : D. Just right activity, cheers

  • Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such fantastic info being shared freely out there.

Comments are closed.

Contact

If you would like further information or require assistance, please get in touch.

ERIK
MAGRAKEN

Personal Injury Lawyer

When not writing the BC Injury Law Blog, Erik is the managing partner at MacIsaac & Company, based in Victoria, B.C. He is also involved with combative sports regulatory issues and authors the Combat Sports Law Blog.

“Work hard, be kind and enjoy the ride!”
Erik’s Philosophy

    Disclaimer