YOU AND THE LAW® FUTURE BLEAK AFTER ACCIDENT? YOU COULD GET BIG COMPENSATION If you're badly hurt in a car crash and your future income reaching consequences. earning ability is a lot less afterwards, you may be entitled to substantial compensation Mike himself, his family and friends noticed his physical and mental abilities and his personality had changed. Though Mike (names changed), a 16-year old teenager, was walking still highly motivated to succeed, his ability to focus and around a curve on a roadside shoulder at night, facingremember, to organize and carry out tasks was impaired. oncoming traffic. He was struck from behind by Brenda, who Studying became hard and took everything out of him, to the didn't turn her car at the curve in the road but kept vingexclusion of everything else in his life. straight, crossing the oncoming traffic lane and ramming into Mike at about 60 km/hour. In a real life working environment, Mike had difficulties at his university co-op placement and floundered even when given Ihe court decided Brenda was fully responsible for the relatively simple tasks. He had difficulty organizing tasks and accident there was no suggestion Mike could have donemade mistakes carrying them out. He became anxious when anything to avoid it. The case was mostly about whether under stress, which further impaired his ability to function Mikes future earning potential had been reduced. well at work The defence argued that despite his brain injuries from he Medically, the bulk of his recovery was expected to happen car accident, Mike's future ability to earn income was no ess within the first couple of years after the accident. So by the after the accident. They pointed out that Mike's high scoo ime of the trial some six years later, Mike could expect little grades afterwards were higher than before, and that he did if any further progress well academically at university, even though he had to work a The court decided Mikesearning potential was reduced. Based t harder and get special accommodations to get good grades post-accident on his diminished future earning ability and more limited employability, Mike was awarded $3 million compensation. But during the trial became clear that there was aeal andHe was also awarded $220,000 for non-money damages substantial possibility Mike would never be able to have the(things like loss of enjoyment of life), some $65,000 for future engineering career he had planned on before he was nuredcare costs and reimbursement for medical expenses. and still hoped for This column provides information only and a very energetic, athletic and achievement-orientedmust not be relied on for legal advice. Please call young man before the accident, always striving to excel and Stephen W.Turner at 250-868-8801 for your free, "be the best at whatever he set his mind on. He was an accomplished mountain bike rider, well liked by all, and a quick learner who did very well at school with little effort. no obligation, initial consultation. Written by Janice and George Mucalo, ILB.s with But the car crash changed everything for him. He wasconribution by Stepben W. Turner Lauyer Janice Mucalov still extraordinarily driven to succeed. But the accident had | is an award-winning legal uriter. Yo and the law is inflicted a moderate to borderline severe brain injury with far registered trademark. OJanice and George Mucalov 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