YOU AND THE LAW® COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF HOUSEKEEPING CAPACITY Can't do housekeeping chores because you were hurt in (ability) had been diminished. She was entitled to this a car crash? Difficult to look after your young kids? Veryregardless of whether she had previously hired paid understandable. This situation may be temporary o help for this, or was likely to in future. The amount isn't ma y be long-lasting, even permanent. a mathematical calculation, said the court, but rather If the accident was the other side's fault, you have thea matter of judgment for the court depending on the right to money compensation from them (or theirunique circumstances. insurer, typically ICBC) for "loss of housekeepingAs one separate component of her overall much larger compensation award, Lisa received $25,000 for Take the recent case of 37-year old Lisa (name changed), diminished housekeeping capacity. always physically active and a valued RCMP constable since 2010. While stopped in highway traffic, her car was rear-ended by another car travelling at 80 kilometres per hour which never braked. Damage to the vehicles was significant, and both cars were ultimately written off. In another more disabling case, the plaintiff (the car crash victim, a young woman of 27 at the time) could no longer properly look after the house and take care of her children after an accident (and probably wouldn't be able to in future either). She needed two to three hours of assistance daily to take care of the house and She received $168,000 for loss of past housekeeping capacity (for the roughly nine years before the court hearing) and $250,000 for loss of future Lisa sustained soft tissue injuries to her neck, left shoulder, lower back and left hip from the car accident.look after the childre She went to court seeking compensation from the responsible owner and driver of the other vehicle At the B.C. Supreme Court hearing over three yearshomemaking capacity over $400,000 for this branch of later, Lisa had mostly recovered from her neck and left compensation. shoulder injuries. But she had ongoing pain and stiffness in her lower back and left hip area, which wouldlareMost claims for loss of housekeeping capacity won't net up depending on her activities. She had difficulty sitting such a huge award. for long periods of time, bending, stooping, crouching.You should see your lawyer if hurt in an accident. kneeling and twisting. There are many different types of losses, including Despite undergoing extensive rehabilitation treatment, housekeeping and child care, for which you could merit the medical consensus was that Lisa's condition had compensation. become chronic (permanent) and it was unlikely to resolve in future. She could do normal daily living activities like grocery shopping, housekeeping andStephen W. Turner at 250-868-8801 for childcare independently. But she could only do houseno obligation, initial consultation cleaning and other housework more slowly than before, with discomfort, and would need help for heavier tasks riten by Janice and George Mucalo, LLB.s with This column provides information only and must not be relied on for legal advice. Please call contribution by Stepen W Turne Lawyer Janice Mucalov The court said Lisa could get compensation for teis an auard-winning legal wrter You and the Lau" is a fact that her homemakinghousekeeping capacity registered tradeinar 0 anice and George Mucalov SSTEPHEN TURNER LAW Personal Injury Law ICBC CLAIMS, DON'T GET HURT TWICE LAW C or Fieaionta 20.868.8801 100 ptogpheinturncenlownia 508 Doyle Ave., Kelowna law@stephenturnerlaw.ca Consultation