Personal Injury Lawyers Calgary
When you’re injured in an accident, you deserve compensation to help you recover. Injuries are not only tough on the body and mind, but can also create financial burdens when you have to take time off work to recover. Considering over 430 Calgarians were seriously injured in collisions in 2022, it’s important to be prepared with knowledge of your legal rights when you’re involved in an accident.
Luckily, in Calgary and Alberta, many different options are available to help those suffering after an incident. If an accident caused by someone else’s actions or lack of action (negligence) led to your injuries, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. Advocating for yourself to insurance companies or in the civil court system, while possible, can be mentally taxing. You’ll need to meet many deadlines, properly fill out paperwork, and speak with lawyers and insurers. Missteps could hurt insurance payments or court decisions.
When you decide to pursue a personal injury claim to recoup your losses, you shouldn’t have to do it alone. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our Calgary personal injury lawyers are proud to offer a full range of personal injury-related legal services to individuals living in Calgary and across Alberta. We have argued at all levels of court, including before the Supreme Court of Canada, and have successfully resolved tens of thousands of legal claims since our law firm was established in 1959. To discuss the details of your situation and begin pursuing fair compensation for your injuries, schedule a free consultation with our legal team today.
What Kinds of Personal Injury Cases Do You Handle in Calgary?
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our personal injury lawyers in Calgary have experience navigating many different types of personal injury claims. We understand that no two accidents are the same, which is why we use our knowledge to help a variety of clients.
Among the types of cases we handle are:
Slip and Falls & Trip and Falls
Slip and falls and trip and falls can occur on private or public property, such as:
- Sidewalks
- Apartment buildings
- Parking lots
- Stores
- Restaurants
- And other businesses
Slipping hazards (like a water spill) and tripping hazards (like uneven flooring) that are not well-marked, removed, and/or repaired promptly could be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. We are familiar with provincial building codes, industry standards, and past court decisions affecting slip and fall and trip and fall claims. Our dedicated accident investigators can also help reconstruct the circumstances of your accident to strengthen your claim.
Occupiers’ Liability Claims
Accidents on someone else’s property can occur for reasons other than slipping and tripping hazards. For example, a poorly-built porch that collapses. Under the Alberta Occupiers’ Liability Act, those who occupy premises owe a duty of care to individuals visiting their property. When they fail to maintain reasonably safe conditions, they can be held liable for injuries or damages that occur.
Our Calgary personal injury lawyers may be able to assist individuals who were hurt on another person’s property due to unsafe conditions. We’ll review the details of your case, advise you on liability, and help you explore your options when it comes to pursuing compensation.
Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
We represent individuals who have been injured in a variety of motor vehicle collisions, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- ATV accidents
- RV accidents
- Snowmobile accidents
- Boating accidents
- And other types of collisions involving motor vehicles
In Alberta, private insurance companies provide auto insurance policies, but they are legally required to offer the same basic coverage to all drivers. As a result, people injured in car accidents are generally entitled to no-fault accident benefits (commonly known as “Section B” benefits) for lost income and medical expenses, even if the car accident was their fault.
Our Calgary personal injury law firm is experienced in seeking out all auto insurance accident benefits for clients. Other types of collision-related damages, such as pain and suffering, must be recovered through a civil legal claim against the at-fault driver.
Dog Attack Claims
Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their pets from getting loose and hurting others. According to the Alberta Dangerous Dogs Act, owners of dogs involved in attacks can be fined up to $10,000 and may be held liable for injuries caused by their pet. The city of Calgary also mandates that residents comply with all Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaws.
When someone’s dog injures you, you deserve compensation to recover. Our law firm helps clients who have been bitten or otherwise injured (for example, by being knocked over) by someone else’s dog pursue personal injury claims against the owner.
Long-Term Disability (LTD) Claims
Illness or injury may force you to take time off work. If you have long-term disability insurance, you are generally eligible for benefits after any short-term disability coverage is exhausted and your time off work is indefinite. Typically, many health conditions should be included under your coverage.
Insurers accept premiums easily but are far more cautious about paying out on policies. Our Calgary personal injury lawyers can help you fill out your claim application, collect supporting evidence (such as reports from your doctor), arrange medical exams and expert witness testimony, and negotiate with your insurance company. If your claim is denied, we’ll help you strengthen your claim and appeal your provider’s decision.
Institutional Abuse Claims
Perpetrators of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse often exploit their positions of authority over others. This is particularly true when they preside over youths and children in organizations such as religious groups, the Scouts, Cadets, sports leagues, and more. In numerous, proven cases, organizations have enabled this abuse by ignoring complaints instead of investigating them. They may even cover up abuse after it’s reported to protect staff or their reputation.
A civil claim can hold an institution accountable for its role in your abuse and be an important step in your personal healing. There is no time limit for plaintiffs who were sexually abused as minors to submit a claim. Our legal team in Calgary will help you collect evidence and build a strong case to hold the abuser in question responsible for their wrongdoing.
Our team at Preszler Injury Lawyers is also proud to assist with:
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents: Motor vehicle drivers are not the only ones who use the road. Unfortunately, bicyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable to injury when involved in collisions. If you were hurt because of someone else’s actions as a cyclist or pedestrian, we may be able to help.
- Product Liability: We can assist you if you have been injured by a dangerous or defective product, such as faulty appliances and consumer items containing toxic substances.
- Airplane Accidents & Injuries: Injuries that occurred while on an airplane or while getting on or off an airplane can often be compensated. The Montreal Convention, which applies to most international flights, offers up to roughly $200,000 in Canadian dollars to compensate for injuries aboard aircraft. A claim may also be possible if you were injured in a domestic airline flight, depending on the circumstances.
- Wrongful death: We help relatives of wrongfully deceased accident victims recover compensation for their resulting losses. When your loved one has passed, you may be eligible for compensation for grief, loss of guidance, loss of care, and more.
The lawyers at Preszler Injury Lawyers understand the need to act quickly after an accident to preserve all available evidence. If retained, our lawyers and full-time investigator can look into your accident right away, including taking photographs or measurements, preserving videos and weather data, or hiring experts to do site investigations.
The treatment and rehabilitation process can involve costly medical care, physiotherapy, specialized medical treatments, surgery, and more. Our Calgary accident lawyers deal with the insurance companies for you to maximize your chances of accessing the treatment you need.
If you are considering making a personal injury claim, we encourage you to call us at 1-800-JUSTICE® for a free initial consultation. During this meeting, we can learn about your situation in more detail and offer specific legal advice.
What Types of Injuries Can You Pursue Compensation For?
Personal injury claims encompass a broad range of accidents and injuries when they result in serious consequences for the victim. In Calgary, some of the most common injuries we help clients with include:
- Brain injuries, including Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Catastrophic injuries
- Chronic pain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Psychological injuries, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Fatalities
- And other severe injuries
What Compensation is Available For Accident Victims in Calgary?
When pursuing a personal injury lawsuit in Calgary, victims may be entitled to various types of compensation. Damages you receive aim to alleviate the financial and emotional burdens caused by the accident. The kind or amount you’re eligible for will likely depend on the severity of your accident and its impact on your life.
Main categories of available compensation in Calgary include:
- Medical Expenses: Accident victims can claim compensation for both current and future medical costs associated with their injury. This might include expenses like hospital bills, surgeries, medical treatments, medications, physical therapy, and any required assistive devices.
- Rehabilitation Costs: You may need extensive rehabilitation following your accident, especially in cases involving severe injuries or injuries that result in chronic pain. Compensation may include out-of-pocket expenses for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other necessary rehabilitation services to help you return to everyday life.
- Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: If you’re forced to take time off work as a result of your injury, you can claim coverage for lost wages for the period you were unable to work. If your injury also affects your ability to earn in the future, you can seek compensation for loss of earning capacity or loss of income.
- Pain and Suffering: This form of compensation is more subjective and aims to account for the physical pain and emotional distress victims of accidents may experience. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our experienced team can help you calculate the intangible losses you have incurred as a result of your accident, such as loss of enjoyment of life.
Accident victims who are involved in motor vehicle collisions will automatically qualify for Section B benefits through their own auto insurance or the auto insurance of another involved party. Section B benefits are payable immediately up to two years from the date of your accident. They typically cover up to $50,000 worth of medical bills and offer an income replacement benefit. The specific compensation you’re entitled to through Section B will depend on whether your injury is classified as minor or catastrophic, as a minor injury regulation exists in the province of Alberta.
if you believe Section B benefits do not offer sufficient compensation for the damages you have incurred, or your accident did not involve a motor vehicle, you may be eligible to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. This process will involve proving that another party was at fault for your injuries, which a personal injury lawyer can assist you with. You’ll be able to recover compensation for general damages, which compensate you for non-financial hardships, and special damages, intended to compensate you for monetary, out-of-pocket expenses. You may choose to negotiate a settlement with the defendant if you can agree on fair compensation, or go to trial if you are unable to come to an agreement.
Why Choose Preszler Injury Lawyers’ Calgary Personal Injury Lawyers?
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, you will never be treated as a file number. We recognize that you are not only a client, but a human being. We strive to treat your case as if we were helping a family member or a friend, ensuring that your case gets our highest level of service, dedication and commitment.
Founded in 1959, we’re one of the oldest personal injury firms in Canada. We have extensive experience litigating at all levels of court and negotiating favourable settlements for our clients. With decades of combined practice under our belts, we aim to negotiate for you effectively and represent you with the highest level of legal knowledge.
When you work with our lawyers, you can take advantage of our:
- Collaborative Approach: We work closely with doctors and professional experts to ensure you receive the best care possible after your accident. Our lawyers help coordinate treatment teams and ensure that our clients receive the insurance benefits that they are entitled to. We have access to qualified doctors and other medical specialists who can write reports for our clients, setting out diagnosis, prognosis and treatment recommendations.
- Free, No-Obligation Consultations: Our Calgary personal injury law firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay any money unless we win your case for you. We believe every individual suffering from accident injuries deserves accessible personal injury legal advice. That’s why your initial consultation with us will be completely free.
- Mediation & Trial Experience: At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our Calgary personal injury lawyers can determine the best path each client should take to receive maximum compensation. We can put our mediation skills to work if you wish to reach a settlement with another party or insurance adjuster out of court. If we believe you’ll benefit more from going to trial, we’ll represent you effectively in court at every stage.
Our Calgary personal injury lawyers are fiercely dedicated to obtaining the highest compensation available to our clients and seeking the justice they deserve. And the best part is – you will never have to pay unless we win.
Have Questions About a Personal Injury Claim in Calgary? Speak With Our Calgary Personal Injury Lawyers Today
When you’re injured in an accident in Calgary, your life can change forever. You should not be left to deal with the consequences alone. By working with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can pursue meaningful compensation for your injuries. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our firm will help you negotiate with insurers, gather evidence to build your case, and provide dedicated legal advice at every stage of your claim.
We provide free initial consultations to anyone considering filing a personal injury claim. Please contact our Calgary office by calling (888) 608-2111 at any time or drop by for a walk-in visit. We look forward to learning more about your potential case.