Vancouver BC Personal Injury Lawyers - Stephens and Holman

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Who is Entitled to Benefits When a Loved One Dies Due to Someone Else’s Negligence or Wrongdoing?

Losing a loved one due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another leaves the surviving family members with undescribed grief and emotional pain. Often times, the surviving family members are left without the financial support of the victim as well as the loss of his or her companionship.

You may be entitled to compensation for the wrongful death of a loved on if you are:

  • A child or a stepchild whom the deceased loved one stood as the parent
  • A parent, stepparent, or grandparent of the deceased
  • A spouse of the deceased who was married to the deceased at the time of death or lived with the deceased in a marriage-like relationship for at least two years

The Vancouver, BC wrongful death lawyers at Stephens & Holman can help you recover compensation for the unexpected loss of a loved one in a wrongful death case if you are entitled to benefits. The family who lost a loved one are entitled to the following types of compensation that will be measured in a dollar amount:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship
  • Lost wages
  • Lost financial support
  • Lost support to include household support, childcare services, and moral support


The dollar amount assigned to each of these types of wrongful death compensation depends on the role of the loved one in the family. The dollar amount may be more for someone who was the head of a household and who was responsible for the well-being of dependents such as children, stepchildren, and spouses.

For help with your wrongful death case and to make sure you and your family get the compensation you deserve, please contact our wrongful death lawyers in Vancouver, BC.

posted by Admin at 9:57 AM

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Punitive Damages and Wrongful Death Cases

The emotional and financial loss of a loved one due to a wrongful death is devastating. There is no amount of compensation that can ease the grief and pain you experience. With the help of our Vancouver, BC wrongful death lawyers at Stephens & Holman, you can obtain compensatory and, possibly, punitive damages.

Punitive damages are awarded to the plaintiff in a wrongful death case if the defendant’s behavior was regarded as malicious, willful, or intentional. The plaintiff will receive all or most of the punitive damages awarded. The purpose of punitive damages is to compensate the plaintiff for pain and suffering and for the loss of the income of the victim.

You may be awarded punitive damages in a wrongful death case by a jury or a judge in order to:

1. Punish the defendant and discourage the continuation of similar behavior
2. To better compensate the plaintiff if the compensatory damages were deemed inadequate

To speak with a wrongful death lawyer in Vancouver, BC, please contact the law firm of Stephens & Holman today and schedule a free, no obligation consultation about your wrongful death case. We serve clients in Vancouver and all of British Columbia.

posted by Admin at 9:55 AM

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Statutes of Limitation and Auto Accidents

If you have been involved in an auto accident in Vancouver, you only have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit or claim against the at-fault driver. The time limit on filing a lawsuit is called the statute of limitations. Your lawsuit cannot be pursued and you lose the ability to make a claim if you do not file within the specified amount of time.

The statute of limitation for an auto accident is only two years. After the expiration of two years following the date of the auto accident, you cannot file a claim against the at-fault driver for damages in respect to a personal injury. To make sure you get the compensation you deserve and to ensure that your lawsuit is filed before the statute of limitations expires, please speak with the Vancouver, BC auto accident lawyers at Stephens & Holman.

Our auto accident lawyers in Vancouver are experienced and knowledgeable about the laws in British Columbia. We will make sure that you know and understand your rights and the necessary legal process needed to file your lawsuit. The laws governing how you make an auto accident claim can be confusing. You need our auto accident lawyers on your side so you will receive the compensation you need and deserve for your personal injuries and pain and suffering.

To schedule a free, no obligation consultation with our auto accident lawyers in Vancouver, please contact the law offices of Stephens & Holman today. Our auto accident lawyers serve clients in Vancouver and all over British Columbia.

posted by Admin at 5:23 PM

Monday, September 6, 2010

Pain and Suffering and Auto Accidents

You deserve compensation for pain and suffering from a personal injury caused by an auto accident. The compensation awarded to victims of auto accidents can vary depending on certain factors of the case as well as what area of British Columbia the accident occurred. Because pain and suffering is not visible, certain aspects of the injury must be proved to the jury in order to gain adequate compensation.

When determining the value of your pain and suffering, the jury will consider the following factors:

• Was the injured person’s actions the same as someone else with this injury?
• Did the injured person have preexisting injuries?
• What is the injured persons tolerance for pain?
• Did the injured person have to change or reduce daily activities?
• What is the credibility of the witnesses?
• What does the injured person do for a living?
• Is the injured person married or signal?
• What is the injured person’s family situation?
• How skilled is the injured person’s auto accident lawyer?

The Surrey auto accident lawyers at Stephens & Holman will help you get the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering. Our experienced auto accident lawyers know what documentation needs to be prepared and what needs to be proved in order to show the jury how your personal injuries sustained in the auto accident affected your daily life.

If you have suffered an injury due to an auto accident and are searching for experienced legal representation, please contact our auto accidents lawyers. We serve clients in Surrey and all of British Columbia.

posted by Admin at 5:20 PM

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Cell Phone Usage Laws While Driving

Talking for texting on a cell phone while driving will distract a driver of a vehicle no matter how much experience the driver has. To keep our Surrey, British Columbia streets safe and to avoid causing auto accidents, using a hand-held cell phone to talk and text while driving is illegal throughout British Columbia. Using a hands-free cell phone is permitted, however.

The cell phone law in British Columbia came into effect on January 1, 2010, with a warning period that lasted the entire month of January. During the first two months of enforcing the ban on cell phone use while driving, authorities issued approximately 715 tickets. A driver who is caught using a cell phone without a hands-free device or who is texting while driving will be issued a $167 ticket and up to three penalty points.

Though using a hands-free device is permitted in British Columbia, dialing a cell phone is very distracting and causes a driver to look away from the road for several moments. A cell phone that allows for voice dialing is much safer and will reduce or eliminate the risk of an auto accident in Surrey.

Unfortunately, many people in Surrey ignore this new law banning cell phone use while driving. Using a hand-held cell phone while driving has the potential to cause a serious auto accident. The Surrey auto accident lawyers at Stephens & Holman will help you with your case if you have been the victim in an auto accident caused by a driver who was distracted while using a cell phone.

Please contact Stephens & Holman today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation to discuss the details of your auto accident case. We serve clients in Surrey and all of British Columbia.

posted by Admin at 5:17 PM

Saturday, September 4, 2010

ICBC Claim Mistakes

The Proper Documentation and Dates of Treatment are Not Prepared

You will have to speak with an ICBC adjuster about your previous medical problems and treatment you need for injuries sustained in the auto accident. The adjuster will ask you to sign a statement that he or she has prepared about your injuries and the accident. You can jeopardize your auto accident case and receive less compensation than you require if you are not properly prepared for your meeting with the insurance adjuster.

Having our British Columbia ICBC claims lawyers at Stephens & Holman on your side will ensure that you are prepared and that all the legal documentation is gathered and organized. Our ICBC claims lawyers will speak with the ICBC adjuster on your behalf to make sure your rights are protected.

You are Only Seen by an ICBC-Appointed Doctor and Not Your Physician

ICBC may request that you see an ICBC-appointed doctor to examine you for injuries. It is a good idea to contact our ICBC claims lawyers if you are asked to see one of their doctors. The medical reports their doctors put together may harm your claim. The doctors work for ICBC. You may not get a chance to see your medical evaluation. It is best to see your physician for an examination to get an unbiased evaluation of your injuries.

You Discontinue Receiving Treatment When ICBC Stops Funding the Treatment


ICBC may stop funding your treatment even though your physician deems that continued treatment is necessary. Speak with our British Columbia ICBC claims lawyers to learn about alternative means for funding your treatment.

To make sure there are no mistakes when you file your auto accident claim with ICBC, please contact our British Columbia ICBC claims lawyers at Stephens & Holman today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.

posted by Admin at 5:13 PM

Friday, September 3, 2010

Can i go to my own doctor or do i have to go to a certain doctor your firm uses?

One of the most important actions you can take following an auto accident is to visit a doctor. Most times, victims of an auto accident do not notice any symptoms of an injury until the following day or sometimes even several days later, depending upon the nature of the injury. A doctor will discover any injuries you may have suffered as well as prescribe the necessary treatment to correct your injuries.

You can visit any family practice physician with whom you feel comfortable. Your physician will be qualified to examine you, and the records of your injuries will be imperative and instrumental in proving you were injured in the auto accident.

The law firm of Stephens & Holman does not use any particular doctor to examine our clients following auto accidents. If you do not have a family practice physician and would like a referral to a physician, our auto accident lawyers in Vancouver, BC can suggest a physician. However, you do not have to see any physician that you do not want to see. It is more important that you are examined and treated than it is which physician you see.

The auto accident lawyers at Stephens & Holman will meet with you and discuss your auto accident case in a free, no obligation consultation if you have any additional questions about auto accidents or would like more information on the legal process.

Filing an auto accident lawsuit to gain the compensation you need for your personal injuries and property damages can be confusing. Please contact the Vancouver, BC auto accident lawyers at Stephens & Holman today for help with your auto accident case.

posted by Admin at 5:11 PM

Thursday, September 2, 2010

What to do if the other driver is uninsured

An auto accident is a devastating experience particularly if you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury. You will want compensation for any damages to your property and for medical expenses to get the treatments you need to recover from your injuries. We expect all British Columbia residents to have auto insurance especially since it is required by law. Unfortunately, some drivers neglect to own auto insurance.

The basic auto insurance plan provided by the ICBC is called the Autoplan. This plan offers coverage for hit-and-runs and uninsured motorist coverage on British Columbia roads. The ICBC will cover the loss of damages and your injuries even if you were not at fault and the other driver does not have auto insurance.

The Vancouver, BC auto insurance lawyers at Stephens & Holman can answer any questions you may have about what is covered in your auto insurance plan. They offer all British Columbia residents a free, no obligation consultation to discuss the legal process for an auto accident claim. Dealing with the ICBC can be extremely difficult. Our auto insurance lawyers are experienced and knowledgeable in dealing with the ICBC to get the deserved compensation for our clients.

If you have been in an auto accident in British Columbia, please contact the Vancouver, BC auto insurance lawyers at Stephens & Holman today to discuss your case. Do not let the ICBC or an uninsured driver take advantage of you.

posted by Admin at 5:07 PM

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

What Steps to Take After an Auto Accident

An auto accident can happen quickly causing you to feel confused and unsure of what steps to take. The auto accident lawyers at Stephens & Holman provide residents of Surrey, British Columbia with the following information about what to do if you are involved in an auto accident.

Seek Medical Attention


If you have been injured in the auto accident, make sure you are seen by emergency medical personnel. You may need to be sent to the hospital for medical attention depending on what type of injury you have suffered.

If you were not injured in the accident, visit your primary care physician within the few days following the accident. Some injuries do not surface until about 24 hours after the accident. Your primary care physician will notice any injuries that you may have incurred and will treat you accordingly. Having documentation about your injuries by your physician will help you in your auto accident case.

Contact the Authorities


The police will make a detailed, unbiased report of the accident that is important for your auto accident case. They will ask you and the other drivers involved questions about the accident. Make sure to cooperate with them and answer all of their questions. Do not admit fault for the accident. Admitting fault will make getting compensation for your injuries difficult.

Gather Necessary Information

It is important to gather as much information as possible about the other drivers involved and about any witnesses. Write down:

• Names
• Contact information
• License plate numbers
• Makes and models of the vehicles
• Insurance information

Contact Our Auto Accident Lawyers in Surrey


Our auto accident lawyers will explain the rights you have and help you gather and prepare the documentation needed to file your auto accident claim. Having an experienced auto accident lawyer on your side will make sure the ICBC does not take advantage of you. You will get the compensation you deserve for your injuries with our help.

If you have been involved in an auto accident in Surrey, British Columbia, please contact the law offices of Stephens & Holman today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.

posted by Admin at 5:03 PM

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