Personal Injury Defence

Defending against complex personal injury claims requires experience, a mind for strategy, and extensive knowledge of the law. Insurance providers looking to protect their interests and effectively defend their clients can benefit from the counsel of Eyford Partners’ highly skilled litigators.

Our lawyers provide insurance companies with knowledge-driven litigation and appellate services. Several of our senior partners have been practising in this area for more than two decades. While an early resolution is often preferable, our proven litigators are more than capable of taking a disputed claim to court. Unlike many other firms, we can also provide clients with skilled appellate services. This allows us to support our clients at every stage as necessary, from opening negotiations to the Court of Appeal.

Our strong reputation means that we are often sought out to defend against complex, multifaceted claims. We regularly assist clients in cases involving catastrophic injuries—such as spinal cord and traumatic brain injury—and ongoing medical issues, such as chronic pain, psychiatric disorders, or psychological issues.

We move efficiently to identify the core issues. Our collaborative process and dedicated research lawyer ensures that we approach each defence from a position of knowledge. This allows us to provide our clients with sound advice over the entire lifespan of the claim.

Calling in the Experts

To help our clients advance their defence, we can provide a pool of experts who are experienced at presenting evidence before the court. We consult with forensic engineers to obtain accurate, unbiased analysis of events. In vehicle collisions, we may look to an accident reconstruction engineer to provide clarity. If there is a question about whether an accident caused a specific injury, we know biomechanical experts who can provide answers.

Our experience allows us to foresee significant issues and to retain the appropriate experts. This allows us to develop an effective legal strategy, one that is rooted in an informed understanding of the injury-producing event.

We continually assess the case, revising our strategy as more information comes to light.

Defending Complex Claims

Our lawyers are known for their proficiency in defending against multifaceted claims. We have experience defending against uninsured and underinsured motorist protection (UMP) claims and representing clients in UMP arbitration proceedings. We also are experienced in cases involving loss of a family member and statutory rights arising from the Family Compensation Act. Claims brought by minors and involving a public guardian or trustee come with their own set of intricacies, which we are well-equipped to address.

Multi-party claims, involving several insurers, can be especially byzantine. We have the expertise to provide clear, effective counsel in these situations. We also know when to seek out other potentially liable parties.

Our lawyers are not just skilled practitioners. They also share their knowledge of personal injury defence as speakers and authors. Sandra Katalinic, for example, has served for more than a decade as a member of Editorial Board for the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Practice Manual, an extensively researched guidebook for BC lawyers that is widely used within the industry. Eyford Partners’ collaborative culture means that every client benefits from our lawyers’ collective pool of knowledge.