Week Four & Five: Non-Pecuniary & Pecuniary Damages

 

Non-pecuniary Damages:

 

• Catastrophic injuries and the Supreme Court of Canada Trilogy (Andrews v. Grand & Toy Alberta Ltd., [1978] 2 S.C.R. 229; Thornton v. School District No. 57 (Prince George), [1978] 2 S.C.R. 267; Teno v Arnold, [1978] 2 S.C.R. 287) - establishing the “rough upper limit” for non-pecuniary damages.

• Pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of amenities – quantifying the unquantifiable - Stapley v. Hejslet, 2006 BCCA 34.

• Special cases: elderly individuals (Etson v. Loblaw Companies Limited, 2010 BCSC 1865 and Galbraith v. Marin et al, 2004 BCSC 671); athletes (Morrow v. Outerbridge, 2009 BCSC 433 and Hagreen v. Su, 2009 BCSC 1455); previously disabled plaintiffs (Agar v. Morgan, 2005 BCCA 579); and sexual abuse (S.Y. v. F.G.C. [1997] 1 WWR 229 BCCA).

• Aggravated and punitive damages - Whiten v. Pilot Insurance Company, 2002 SCC 18.

• Proving non-pecuniary damages - Rizzolo v. Brett 2009 BCSC 732 affirmed on appeal 2010 BCCA 398 – case example involving tibial fracture and chronic pain.

 

Pecuniary Damages:

 

• Restitutioin integrum– a principled approach to full compensation from the SCC Triology.

• Past wage loss and future loss of earnings capacity – Athey applied by the BCCA in Steward v. Berezan, 2007 BCCA150 and Perren v. Lalari, 2010 BCCA 140.

• Special damages and future cost of care–medical justification for future cost of care needs – Slater M, “Future Cost of Care in Canada – Justice Requires Something Better” Verdict 2010; Milina v. Bartsch(1985), 49B.C.L.R.(2d)33(S.C.),aff’d (1987), 49 B.C.L.R. (2d) 99(C.A.); Krangle (Guardian ad litem of) v. Brisco, [2002]1S.C.R. 205.

• Proving pecuniary damages – Spehar v. Beazley, 2002 BCSC 1104 affirmed on appeal 2004 BCCA 290 - case example involving a teenage girl with a severe traumatic brain injury.

 

Lecture Notes:

• Week Four