Yes, we do. It costs nothing to see if you have a case. Contact us to discuss your situation free of charge.
Yes, the information you share with anyone on the Slater Vecchio Team is confidential.
Our team is able to help you take the initial steps to find out whether or not you have a claim worth pursuing.
Please contact us free of charge so we can discuss your situation.
The answer to this question can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your case. A lawyer from our team will explain what you can expect at every step of your personal injury case and will take action on your behalf.
Hiring a lawyer to assist with your injury or no-fault benefits claim is not mandatory but is highly recommended. A lawyer will provide you with valuable experience while negotiating your settlement with ICBC. Without a lawyer, ICBC may use their knowledge of the process to serve their best interests over yours.
Regardless of where you reside, our team will organize all of the necessary components of your claim, based on your situation, as we pursue fair compensation for your injury.
If a fair settlement has not been reached within two years of the date of the accident, an official lawsuit will be filed in order to meet the required deadline for preserving your claim.
If both sides are unable to agree on a fair amount, your claim will proceed to trial approximately 3 to 5 years after the date of your accident.
Part & benefits may be available to any party in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
In order to be entitled to Part 7 benefits, you must be an “insured” under Part 7 of the Regulation. Generally, this means you must be either be:
Part 7 benefits include:
An examination for discovery is an important pre-trial process that allows the lawyers from each side to find out the facts about the opposing party. During an examination, counsel will ask questions to the other parties and persons where necessary. The questions and answers are recorded by a reporter and later produced as a transcript.
Mediation is an alternative form of dispute resolution aimed at helping parties settle their claim. Where appropriate, parties to a lawsuit will agree to have a neutral third party, referred to as a mediator, help facilitate voluntary settlement.
The benefits of mediation include:
The majority of legal claims arising from accidents or injuries do not reach a civil court trial. Most claims are resolved earlier through a negotiated settlement among the parties.
Sometimes going to trial is necessary to ensure you receive fair compensation for your loss. That is a determination you and your lawyer will make as your claim progresses.
The value is based on a careful analysis of the facts, legal liability, nature and extent of injuries, as well as medical expenses, lost income, loss of future earnings, pain, suffering, physical impairment and other damages.
Costs for medical and rehabilitation expenses occurring as a result of your accident are recoverable as part of your no-fault insurance or Part 7 benefits.
Medical and rehabilitation expenses under Part 7 are limited to $150,000. Where ICBC has denied coverage of such expenses under Part 7, all reasonable medical and rehabilitation expenses will be included in your tort claim.
Reasonable medical and rehabilitation expenses generally include any expenses incurred as a result of an accident for:
The type of treatment provided is not limited to the above list and whether or not a respective treatment is recoverable under your claim will be determined on a case by case basis. Generally speaking, any treatment that is referred by a physician or qualified professional should be recoverable if reasonable.
Do you still have questions? Please contact us and one of our legal professionals will be happy to speak with you.
When several people have the same claim against a party, there may be an opportunity to take legal action together as a group (class).
A class action is the best option when multiple people have the same or a similar claim against a third party and:
A Class Action:
If you think you might have a claim that could be a class action, contact us and we will make an evaluation.
Before claims can proceed as a class action, they must be certified by a judge. In a process called the ‘Certification Motion’, the lawyers on the plaintiff’s side provide the reasoning and evidence that their claims should proceed as a class action. The court considers the following points when making a decision:
The representative plaintiff is a person within the class who is chosen to represent the entire group, working with the lawyers and attending any proceedings if necessary.
There are no specific criteria for who can become the representative plaintiff; they just have to be willing and able to take on the role.
Each class action is different, often taking between 2 and 3 years to resolve.
If there are any questions you still have, please reach out to us and one of our legal professionals will be happy to help you.
Not all consumer disputes can or should be resolved through litigation. Slater Vecchio can provide a free consultation to determine if your issue is appropriate for a legal solution.
Consumer disputes are largely about economic relationships. When a consumer faces larger legal costs to resolve an issue than the losses that can reasonably be recovered, then a consumer dispute is generally not appropriate.
However, if a sufficient number of consumers have the same issue, then a case that is not viable on its own might be viable as a class action. Slater Vecchio lawyers can help you make this determination.
Mediation is an alternative form of dispute resolution aimed at helping parties settle their claim. Where appropriate, parties to a lawsuit will agree to have a neutral third party, referred to as a mediator, help facilitate voluntary settlement.
The benefits of mediation include:
The majority of civil claims do not reach a civil court trial. Most claims are resolved earlier through a negotiated settlement among the parties.
Sometimes going to trial is necessary to ensure you receive fair compensation for your loss. That is a determination you and your lawyer will make as your claim progresses.
