Personal Injury for Lawyers and Paralegals COMBO

1.  Personal Injury for Jr. Lawyers and Paralegals 2017

Thursday, June 8, 2017
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
or attend via Webinar

Who should attend: This program is designed for junior lawyers, paralegals, and legal support staff who are seeking a comprehensive review of the essentials on how to assess and quantify a personal injury claim. Experienced lawyers will also find this to be a valuable refresher on the fundamentals of PI claim quantification.

Learning level: Fundamental

This advanced course for lawyers and paralegals will provide a high-level discussion regarding the various heads of damages in a personal injury claim, with a theme of quantification. We will begin with our guest speaker, Kimberlea Pinette, who will share "Brennan's Story", a catastropic loss and how the legal team was instrumental in assisting this family through the legal process. The discussion will include topics on understanding the theory of your case, tips on quantification and legal research, and an overview of defences that impact an award of damages. The legal principles of causation will also be highlighted, with a review of the Trilogy Cases in addition to the "Stapley" decision. The challenging subject of psychological injury will also be reviewed and analysed for clarity purposes, with specific discussion on chronic pain, pre-existing psychological issues, conversion disorder, somatic sympton disorder, and adjustment disorder. We will also discuss brain injury, MTBI, concussion, post-concussive symptons, and traumatic brain injury. An overview of past and future wage loss, loss of earning capacity, loss of housekeeping capacity, in-trust claims, and cost of future care will also be noted. Tax gross awards, management fees, and structured settlements will also briefly be discussed.
Qualified experts will also be speaking in the afternoon offering great diaogue on building your claim for past and future wage loss, the importance of functional capacity evaluations, cost of future care, and vocational issues. We will also have a workshop in the afternoon with analysis and quantification of a catastropic injury case.

Course Chairs
Priscilla Cicek — Paralegal, BridgePoint Financial Services Inc., Toronto
MaryAnn Reinhardt — Case Manager, Designated Paralegal, RDM Lawyers LLP, Abbotsford

2.  Personal Injury Conference 2017
Friday, June 9, 2017
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
or attend via Live Webinar

Who should attend: Personal injury litigators, both plaintiff and defence; ICBC and insurance industry personnel. 

Learning level: All levels

This is CLEBC's annual, comprehensive program on personal injury practice for all personal injury litigators; junior and experienced, plaintiff and defence. This conference will also be of interest to insurance industry personnel who handle personal injury claims. As in past years, we will cover an eclectic mix of established and current topics ranging across a broad spectrum. A popular and core component of this conference is the case law update: an encapsulation of the most important procedural and substantive case developments from the past year. Previous conferences have featured substantive topics in the area of personal injury practice and procedure, expert evidence, medical evidence, engineering evidence, acturial evidence, advocacy, mediation, professionalism and ethics, and law practice management. Our goal is to provide you with valuable, current, and practice-related information from senior members of the personal injury bar.

Law Society of BC CPD Hours: 13 (a minimum of 2 hours will involve professional responsibility and ethics, client care and relations, and/or practice management)

Course Chairs
Jan L. Lindsay, QC — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver

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Webinar Archive: This course will be added to the Webinar Archive. See below to subscribe.

Unable to attend without financial support? Learn more about CLEBC's Bursary Program and Easy Pay Plan.

Can't make the course/webinar?

1. Order the Online Course Materials—an archive of all CLEBC papers published since 2001... OR
2. Subscribe to the Webinar Archive—a repository of recordings of most CLEBC past courses.

Annual subscription rates for both options are based on firm size.

CLEBC Program Lawyer
Raymond Lee
rlee@cle.bc.ca

Course Chairs
Priscilla Cicek — Paralegal, BridgePoint Financial Services Inc., Toronto
Jan L. Lindsay, QC — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver
MaryAnn Reinhardt — Case Manager, Designated Paralegal, RDM Lawyers LLP, Abbotsford
James D. Vilvang, QC — Richards Buell Sutton LLP, Vancouver

About the Course Chairs 
 Priscilla Cicek is a Legal Assessment Specialist who specializes in the quantification of claims and risk management of personal injury claims in BC and Alberta. She is also an instructor at Vancouver Community College and teaches the Paralegal Program on the topic of personal injury. She has developed the instructional plan for the course and offers mentorship and guidance to many students every year. Priscilla is also a paralegal, having graduated from Capilano University and has over 20 years' experience in the legal field. She has managed complex personal injury claims, occupier's liability, and commercial/construction litigation claims in BC and has extensive experience and knowledge of all aspects of a file. Priscilla has assisted with legal stategy, problem solving, and negotiation of claims. She has also assisted with trial and appeal work. Priscilla has published materials on novel legal issues and often provides consulting work to counsel and other experts researching the law. She is a Director of the BC Paralegal Association of BC. She enjoys counseling on a volunteer basis and in her spare time, Priscilla enjoys skiing in Whistler with her family.

Jan L. Lindsay, QC is a lawyer with Linsday LLP in Vancouver, where her practice focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on insurance matters. She is a well-known personal injury lawyer in BC who has handled hundreds of claims and files, and conducted many jury and judge-alone trials and appeals for insurers and their insureds, on a number of issues including mild traumatic brain injury law, spinal cord injury, orthopaedic injuries, soft tissue injuries, and economic loss.
Jan obtained her LLB in 1980 from the University of BC, and was admitted to the BC bar in 1981. She was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2009. Jan is highly involved in Law Society of BC activities including serving as a bencher and on several committees, and recently served as its president. In 2011, she received the Lee Samis Award of Excellence from the Canadian Defence Lawyers organization. Jan has been a frequent contributor to the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC's seminars, including serving as co-chair of the Personal Injury Conference for several years.

 MaryAnn Reinhardt is a Case Manager and Designated Paralegal at RDM Lawyers LLP, where she manages a high volume of personal injury cases. MaryAnn is a graduate of the Paralegal Certification Program through Capilano University and has more than 25 years of experience in the area of personal injury law. She is a former Director with the BC Paralegal Association of BC and the People's Law School and is a past member of the Access to Legal Services Advisory Committee with the Law Society of BC.

In addition to her work as a paralegal, MaryAnn is also an instructor with the Continuing Legal Education Paralegal Program offered through the University of the Fraser Valley.

James D. Vilvang, QC is a senior partner with the litigation group at Richards Buell Sutton LLP. He was called to the BC bar in 1974 and in the Yukon in 1994. Jim is also a qualified commercial mediator. He was awarded Queen's Counsel status in 1996.
Jim has been a distinguished and recognized trial lawyer for over 35 years and is highly regarded by all sectors of the bar for his work ethic, insight, and love of the legal profession. In 2003, he was honoured with the TLABC Bar Award and in 2011, a recipient of the Goyer Award for his exceptional contribution to the legal profession in BC. Jim was recognized by Best Lawyers® in the area of Personal Injury Litigation. Inclusion in this publication is based entirely on peer-review.

Faculty 
Shelly L. Avram — RDM Lawyers LLP, Abbotsford
Peter Buxton, QC — Panorama Legal, Surrey
Priscilla Cicek — Legal Assessment Specialist, Paralegal, BridgePoint Financial Services, Toronto
Coran Cooper-Stephenson — Lawyers Insurance Fund, Law Society of BC, Vancouver
Christiane Clark — Associated Economic Consultants Ltd., Vancouver
William S. Dick — Murphy Battista LLP, Kelowna
Cameron B.P. Elder — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver
Julie Facchin — Richards Buell Sutton LLP, Vancouver
Julie Fredette — Case Manager, Designated Paralegal, RDM Lawyers LLP, Abbotsford
Keri T. Grenier — Murphy Battista LLP, Kelowna
David W. Hay — Richards Buell Sutton LLP, Vancouver
Karen E. Jamieson — Murray Jamieson, Vancouver
Janice Landy — Landy Rehabilitation Consulting, Vancouver
Margot Liechti — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver
Anastase E. Maragos — Watson Goepel LLP, Vancouver
Alison L. Murray, QC — Murray Jamieson, Vancouver
Curtis Peever — Economist, Associated Econimic Consultants Ltd., Vancouver
Dr. Dean Powers — Vocational Solutions Inc., Vancouver
Maryanne Prohl — Lawyers Insurance Fund, Law Society of BC, Vancouver
MaryAnn Reinhardt — Case Manager, Designated Paralegal, RDM Lawyers LLP, Abbotsford
John M. Rice — Jarvis McGe Rice, Vancouver
Peter Sheldon — Economist, Associated Economic Consultants Ltd., Vancouver
E. Anthony Thomas — Simpson Thomas & Associates, Vancouver
Britni M. Troy — Watson Goepel LLP, Vancouver
Art Vertlieb, QC — MacKenzie Fujisawa, Vancouver
Marco von Antal — Stewart & Company, Vancouver
Andrew Wong — JR Rehab Services Inc., Vancouver 
Kim Yee — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver

Do you have this valuable motor vehicle accident claims resource?

BC Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Practice Manual

This book is essential for: personal injury and insurance defence and plaintiff lawyers.

Current to: March 1, 2016 | # of pp.: 1,412
Price: Print + Online $299; Online Only $219

The BC Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Practice Manual is your guide to bringing or defending a motor vehicle accident claim in British Columbia. Written and reviewed by leading members of the plaintiff and defence bar, this comprehensive guide covers all important topics that may arise in an action and is essential to your practice.

With this resource, you will have:

• analysis of the latest law on the range of topics in a motor vehicle claim
• practice tips on how to deal with substantive and procedural issues in the claim
• the forms and precedents you need, available as downloads or on a CD
• convenient checklists on procedures to follow
• annual updates

Day One: Thursday, June 8, 2017 

Welcome and Introduction

Catastropic Injury — Brennan's Story 

• the story from the mother of Brennan Pinette

Kimberlea Pinette

Understanding Paediatric Injury 

• prosecuting and proving paediatric brain injury

John M. Rice — Jarvis McGee Rice, Vancouver

Understanding the Theory of the Case 

• understand the facts, the legal issues, and your client

Art Vertlieb, QC — MacKenzie Fujisawa, Vancouver

Helpful Tips on Research and Quantification 

• legal research and quantification tips

Marco von Antal — Stewart & Company, Vancouver

Networking Break

Defences that Impact an Award of Damages 

• contributory negligence
• other defences in negligence
• the mitigation defence

Shelly L. Avram — RDM Lawyers LLP, Abbotsford

The Principles of Causation 

• the "but for" test
• the material contribution test
• consideration of pre-existing injuries

Keri T. Grenier — Murphy Battista LLP, Kelowna 

Non-Pecuniary Damages 

• the cap on non-pecuniary damages in Canada
• functional approach to general damages
• relevant case laws

William S. Dick — Murphy Battista LLP, Kelowna 

Assessing Psychological Injury 

• the impact of chronic pain & pre-existing psychological injuries
• conversion disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and adjustment disorder

Peter Buxton, QC — Panorama Legal, Surrey 

Networking Lunch

Pecuniary Damages 

• past loss of income
• assessing cost of future care

Anastase E. Maragos — Watson Goepel LLP, Vancouver
Britni M. Troy — Watson Goepel LLP, Vancouver 

Loss of Housekeeping Capacity and In-Trust Claims 

• claims for loss of housekeeping
• in-trust claims

Julie Fredette — Designated Paralegal, RDM Lawyers LLP, Abbotsford
MaryAnn Reinhardt — Case Manager, Designated Paralegal, RDM Lawyers LLP, Abbotsford

Functional Capacity Evaluatons 

• the process of evaluating functional capacity
• medical evidence required for review
• preparing your client for the assessment

Andrew Wong — JR Rehab Services Inc., Vancouver

Networking Break

Vocational Consulting 

• the process of a vocational assessment
• medical evidence required for review
• preparing your client for the assessments

Dr. Dean Powers — Vocational Solutions Inc., Vancouver

Cost of Future Care 

• understanding the cost of future care 

Janice Landy — Landy Rehabilitation Consulting, Vancouver

Past and Future Income Loss 

• calculation of past and future wage loss
• quantification of cost of future care
• tax gross up awards, management fees

Christiane Clark — Associated Economic Consultants, Vancouver

Workshop: Analysis and Quantification of a Claim 

• review of a fact pattern
• identfication of issues
• analysis and heads of damage
• building the elements of a claim

Priscilla Cicek — Legal Assessment Specialist, Paralegal, BridgePoint Financial Services, Toronto
MaryAnn Reinhardt — Case Manager, Designated Paralegal, RDM Lawyers LLP, Abbotsford

Closing Remarks

Day Two: Friday, June 9, 2017 

Welcome and Introduction

Case Law Update 

Karen E. Jamieson — Murray Jamieson, Vancouver
Alison L. Murray, QC — Murray Jamieson, Vancouver 

Networking Break

Nuts and Bolts of After the Event Insurance 

• implications for personal injury litigation
• what is available for purchase in Canada
• benefits of costs insurance for litigants and counsel
• tips for defending claims where costs insurance has been purchased by the plaintiff

Kim Yee — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver

Proving and Defending Liability in Bicycle Cases 

• pedestrian v. bicycle, bicycle v. bicycle, bicycle v. car, and bicycle v. municipality/strata
• plaintiff's perspective
• defendant's perspective

David W. Hay — Richards Buell Sutton LLP, Vancouver
Margot Liechti — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver

Under the Covers 

Coran Cooper-Stephenson — Lawyer's Insurance Fund, Law Society of BC, Vancouver
Maryanne Prohl — Lawyer's Insurance Fund, Law Society of BC, Vancouver

Networking Lunch 

How to Request a Medical Report That is Comprehensive and Admissible 

• dealing with a general practitioner/family physician
• dealing with a specialist
• dealing with an IME
• plaintiff v. defence considerations

Cameron B.P. Elder — Harper Grey LLP, Vancouver

What a Therapist Can Bring to Your Case

• the treatments: physiotherapy, massages, chiropractic
• what a therapist's opinion can provide — and limitations
• caveats and best practices around therapist opinions

E. Anthony Thomas — Simpson Thomas & Associates, Vancouver

Networking Break 

Use of Economist's Reports in In-trust and Loss of Housekeeping Capacity Claims 

• the basis for a claim
• components and contingencies for a claim
• loss of housekeeping capacity v. cost of future care
• inability to do household tasks
• marshaling your expert opinion

Moderator: Jan L. Lindsay, QC — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver 
Curtis Peever — Economist, Associated Economic Consultants Ltd., Vancouver
Peter Sheldon — Economist, Associated Economi Consultants Ltd., Vancouver

Worker and Non-workers 

• who is a worker? (legal framework)
• why does it matter? (the effect of being a worker)
• what can you do about it? (seeking and challenging determinations)

Julie Facchin — Richards Buell Sutton LLP, Vancouver

Closing Remarks