26 - North Shore News -— Sunday, May 28, 2000 Whip IT’S difficult to assign a dollar value to the lash ci But if vou’re injured ina car accident, vou will gener- ally be Compensated if the court finds vou didn’r cause the accident and vou can prove vour claim. The amount you receive varies from case toe Typically, vow ll be paid your lost w: ages for time off work, future lost earnings if you ean’t work as much or in the same job as betore, and expenses such as chiropractic lars. Moderate “sott tissue” injurie ling in signifi- cant time off work, may be worth berween $15,000 to $35,000 in total. In more severe cases, for example where vou undergo back surgery as a result of the cident, the pain and suf- fering part of the claim can sometimes equal $35,000 or more. ourt awards long period of time. One of the highest awards of $135,000 for pain and suffering was approved by the RK. € 3] “year-old victim suffered a well as neck and back injuries. He also developed fbromyalgia, a nerve condition that caused widespread debilitating pain. He had to quit his job as a supermarket clerk and Vary Wi refrain front heavy physical work or sports, Remember, however, that these general ranges are not carved in stone. The cases fall all along the continuum. What the pain and suffering trom your whiplash is worth depends on many factors, including how long you Q ce pain tor, how it restricts your activities, the extent of any medical treat- ment, whether you follow dely your doctor's advice, and whether vou suffered “existing injury or dis- This column has been writ- ten with the assistance of Daryl Collier af the North Vanconver law firm of Ratcliff S Company, Suite 500, 221 West Esplanade, Yi Ol. The column pro- vides tuformation auly and must net be relied on for legal adrice. Whether a whiplash or back injury is }§=—-———- mild or mod- erate depends on how the court classi- fies it, HY your doctor pain and suffering fees, taxi charges to and caused by whiplash. from the doctor’s office, and prescription costs. This assumes these fosses were a result of the injuries vou received in the accident. OF course, it’s much harder to be totally compen- d for the headaches, the sss and soreness you fee] when you move, or the fact that you can't garden or play golf anymore. The courts have therefore said that a fair amount for this loss — your pain and suffer- ing — is one that will make your life more endurable and be of some solace to you, The majority of whiplash claims are temporary, minor strains. Most claims are set- tled out of court. If a settle- ment cannot be reached, they are usually dealt with in small claims court, where the most you get for al your losses or “damages” i $10,000. The amount awarded for the pain and suffering part of the claim is therefore in the neighbour- hood of a few thousand dol- vour injury as “moder- ately severe,” that doesn’t mean the court must also classify it as moderate. Every case is different. Someone might have a “moderate” injury, but still suffer a huge loss, i.e., a missed opportunity. Very severe, chronic problems attract the highest awards. Usually, this is because of your inability to work for a NEWS photo Mike Wakofield Bear aware EVELYN Kirkaldy, left, Betty Carrington, centre, and Pat Woods, right, spearheaded the North Shore Black Sear Task Team which recently held Nerth Vancouver's 1st Annual Bear Awareness Week. Kirkaldy holds a copy of the her painting that was displayed at city hall, white Carrington and Woods show the Bear Proclamation. Micrane Jonpan GALAPAGOS m3. ALSSKA, serseerss er ET ar: y THe WILD SHOWTIMES Daily: 7, 10pm Add't Shows: Sat & Sun 2:15, 4:45pm SHOWTIMES Daily: 6, 8pm Add'l shows: Sat & Sun 12pm SHOWTIMES Showtimes subject to change without notice. at the north end of Canada Place Cali (604) 682-IMAX (4629) Group sales: (604) 605-6186 www.imax.com/vancouver nounhtains REMEMBER SHOPPING STONG'S? WELL, NOW YOU CAH AGAIN! SHOP BY PHONE, FAX, EMAIL OR ON-LINE! &T'S THAT EASY? From Deep Cove to Lions Bay Stong’s Express will deliver your groceries right to your front door. PHONE: 266-5191 FAX: 266-5199 EMAIL: cori_bonina@bc.sympatico.ca - ON-LINE: www.stengs.com BAVAILABLE MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:00 AM AND WILL BE DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING DAY - SATURDAY DELIVERIES ARE AVAILABLE BUT ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:00AM FRIDAY.