Tag: Pre collision medical records

Imminent Trial Thwarts Defense Clinical Record and Medical Examination Request

Written by ERIK MAGRAKEN on November 20, 2019. Posted in Uncategorized.

Reasons for judgement were published this week by the BC Supreme Court, Vancouver Registry, denying a defence application for production of various clinical records and requesting a defence medical exam largely based on the proximity of trial.

In the recent case (Shannon v. Cook) the Plaintiff was involved in a vehicle collision and claimed damages. Various pre collision medical records were produced. With trial only three months away the Defendant brought an application for a host of further records to be produced along with a request for a further defence medical examination.

The Court dismissed both applications finding that with the trial being just around the corner the expert medical evidence should be mature and it was simply too late in the process for such an application to be granted. In dismissing the applications Master Cameron provided the following reasons:

Pre Accident Medical Records Are Not Producible “as of right, or on demand” in Injury Claims

Written by ERIK MAGRAKEN on August 28, 2019. Posted in BCSC Civil Rule 7.

Reasons for judgement were published today by the BC Supreme Court, Victoria Registry, providing useful comments on disclosure obligations of personal injury litigants under the BC Supreme Court Civil Rules.

In today’s case (Holmberg v. McMullen) the Plaintiff suffered “significant injuries” as a result of two vehicle collisions and sued for damages. In litigation the Defendants requested various pre accident medical records and pharmacological records arguing that when serious injuries are alleged such documents must be produced. A Master disagreed and dismissed the application. The Master’s decision was appealed which was also dismissed.

In noting that parties have no obligation to produce documents not in their possession or control in the first phase of document production and further that pre accident medical records are not producible on demand and as of right even in the face of serious injuries being disputed on the pleadings Mr. Justice Johnston provided the following reasons: