Coquitlam ICBC Lawyer: Enhanced Care or an Enhanced Way to Care Less
ICBC could careless.
In a recent blog article, I coined ICBC’s new no-fault regime - which they so misleadingly refer to as their new “Enhanced Care” model - as the Enhanced Way to Care Less.
The New Westminster Record and North Shore News recently published mirror articles which reflect the realities of ICBC’s new policies that are intended to “care” about injured victims. On May 10th, the injured claimant, a single father, was walking down the sidewalk (a pedestrian) when a drunk driver crashed into him causing him significant pain and injury. The driver failed a breath test. The Plaintiff was a private Golf Instructor, a retired pro golfer, and was attending school outside of work hours. As such, he did not earn stable income and did not have extended benefits from a work-related insurance provider.
On May 10th, a single father was walking down the sidewalk, and in an instant, a drunk driver changed his life; ICBC, however, could care less.
In normal circumstances, the Injured Claimant would have a right to a lawyer to represent him against ICBC for his personal injuries. Due to his objective injuries, the Injured Claimant could be entitled to compensation anywhere from $100,000 to $1 Million Dollars+. This, however, is no longer the case. As stated in the article:
But as Shepherd slowly recovers from his accident, he said he’s already finding situations where those promises aren’t adding up. “It’s going to end up costing me out of pocket just to get therapy. I reached out to a concussion specialist. The first sessions cost $300. ICBC will only cover $200,” he said. “If there was a cash settlement on the side, out of that I could make up the shortcomings of all these things on the side. I don’t see how I have to be out of pocket when someone jumps the curb and runs me over.”
…
“I’m constantly dizzy. I can’t stand up. I’ve had two showers in the last 10 days because I fall,” he said. “At the end of the day, if I don’t do a good enough job of explaining the value of my life, I’m worried that ICBC will only cover a percentage of the health recovery benefits.”
“I reached out to a couple of lawyers who said their hands are tied. There is nothing they can do.”
This is sadly BC’s new normal: you go for a walk, a negligent driver runs you over, and you’re losing money rather than recovering anything. More so, the negligent driver is entitled to the same “care” you are!
ICBC provides negligent drivers the same rights, benefits, and MONEY they provide the injured victim.
At this time, there is nothing we can do as citizen of BC; for now. TRI-CITY LEGAL is working on assisting the injured by talking with Politicians - municipal and provincial - as well as supporting the Trial Lawyers Association of BC (TLABC) with substantial donations via Mussio Goodman (our parent firm) and being engaging members of the TLABC.
Until that time, unfortunately, we’re left with the Enhanced Care model aka ICBC’s enhanced way to care less.