YOU AND THE LAWø EFFECTS OF MILD BRAIN INJURY FROM CAR ACCIDENT "Bait car activation let's go!" That was the start of a She could only minimally help around the home she lived sequence of events that unfortunately led to Ms. Sommersin with her husband (whom she married after the accident); (name changed) getting accidentally T-boned by a policeshe did little vacuuming, gardening or computer work. She car in pursuit of a bait car. Ms. Sommers was an innocentwas irritable, anxious and easily distracted. She got tired victim, driving to work, who was entitled to compensation very easily and slept at least 10 hours a day. She also couldn't handle noise and had trouble socializing in groups for her injuries. The issue for the B.C. Supreme Court was how much she should get. Sports-wise, she tried to return to soccer for a while but Sommers' initial complaints were a sore neck, back,eventually gave up. She skiied a couple of times after the left arm and head, and she was admitted to the hosial ccident but much more slowly, and she struggled to play emergency for a few hours. Her most significant problems however, related to her head injury (diagnosed as a "mild traumatic brain injury") and the continuing symptoms she had, which impacted everything she did in her daily life 9 holes of golf. As for her future employment prospects, doctors testified that Ms. Sommers would likely continue to suffer a degre of permanent disability related to her brain function and would need a quiet and predictable work environment without distractions (e.g, working at home as a need The case was brought to trial five years after the car crash. The court was therefore able to evaluate the longer-term consequences that can follow from such brain injuries. e car crash. okkeeper) In short, said the court, Ms. Sommers life was "profoundly different than it was before the accident." She was awarded Ms. Sommers, 27 at the time of the accident, worked full-time at a mill as an operator on newsprint machine Her boss was also paying for her to study part-time for a Bachelor of Science degree, which would enable her toIt's important to have a thoroughly prepared and wel move up into a staf or management position. She was apresented legal case to bring out the sometimes subtle hard worker" who got along with everyone. $960,000 in compensation. consequences of a brain njury before-and-after differences in thinking abilities plus changes in social skills, behaviour, mood and personality. An experienced personal Before the mishap, Ms. Sommers was fit and healthy and looked after her own 3-bedroom duplex. She played hockey injury lawyer can help you. recreationally and competitive soccer. An avid skier, she went skiing at least 20 times each season and skied doubleThis column provides nformation only and black-diamond runs. She also played a lot of golf and wouldStephen W.Turner at 250-868-8801 for your free, even travel to do so, and she loved fishing. Friends andno obligation, initial consultation others described her as a "wonderful young lady" and a go-getter must not be relied on for legal advice. Please call Written by Janice and George Mucalov, LL.B.s with contribution by Stepben W Turne Lauyer Janice Mucalov is an auard-winning legal uriter "You and the Law is a registered trademark. Janice and George Mucalov After the accident, a different picture emerged. STEPHEN TURNER LAW Personal Injury Law ICBC CLAIMS, DON'T GET HURT TWICE Call For Free Initial LAW 508 Doyle Ave., Kelowna law@stephenturnerlaw.ca Consultation