How do I know if I have a claim?

If, through no fault of your own, your life has been affected in any way by a personal injury or the death of a loved one, you may have a claim which deserves compensation. If you feel you may have a claim and would like to discuss your options, call us at 1-888-531-7771 or 532-7771. We will gladly answer any questions you may have – at no charge.

How will my claim be handled and what is the process?

At Kay McVey Smith & Carlstrom LLP, the first step is a no-cost, one-on-one consultation with a member of our personal injury team. Your lawyer will assist you through each step of the process and will handle all negotiations with the insurance adjusters and defence lawyers on your behalf.

Will I have to go to Court?

Over 95 per cent of personal injury claims settle without the necessity of a trial. Our personal injury lawyers are trained in various negotiation techniques including formal mediations and Judicial Dispute Resolution. We will explore every possible avenue to secure full compensation for your injuries and losses without going to Court. In the unlikely event that a satisfactory settlement is not possible prior to trial, our proven litigation track record is your assurance that your interests will be protected in the courtroom.

What are mediation and Judicial Dispute Resolution?

Both are settlement tools designed to resolve disputes without trial. “Mediation” is an informal meeting between the parties with the assistance of an independent mediator. “Judicial Dispute Resolution” is a similar process except that a Superior Court Judge acts as the mediator. We are experienced with the various forms of alternate dispute resolution which can help provide you with the compensation you deserve.

Who do the insurance adjusters represent?

If you are involved in an accident, the responsible party's insurance company will hire an insurance adjuster to investigate. Insurance companies expect adjusters to reduce the cost of injury claims by settling claims as inexpensively as possible. An adjuster is not acting in your best interest. If you are presented with a settlement offer by an adjuster, we recommend that you immediately discuss your claim with a member of our personal injury team to determine whether the compensation you are being offered is fair. We will act in your best interests at all times.

What will the value of my claim be?

We know that money won’t fully make up for the experience you have been through, but you can ease the financial burden that comes with a devastating injury or the loss of a loved one. The intent of the law is to compensate you for your suffering, as well as past and future financial losses.11. What are the different types of settlements?

Most claims are settled with a lump sum payment. However, in severe injury cases, our team will work with you to determine the most appropriate settlement for your needs. We have assisted many clients in establishing structured settlements. These provide ongoing payments over the course of a client's life and offer significant tax savings.

What are the different types of settlements?

Most claims are settled with a lump sum payment. However, in severe injury cases, our team will work with you to determine the most appropriate settlement for your needs. We have assisted many clients in establishing structured settlements. These provide ongoing payments over the course of a client's life and offer significant tax savings.

How many trial lawyers are on staff?

Our team of personal injury lawyers is comprised of three trained litigators assisted by able and experienced support staff.

Our lead litigator, Bob McVey, has over 29 years of litigation experience and has obtained precedent-setting decisions for injured individuals at all levels of Court in Alberta.

Mike Hussey is a member of both the British Columbia and Alberta bars. He is knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with catastrophic injuries and the needs of all injured individuals.

Before coming to Grande Prairie, Owen Lewis worked with the Justices of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench and Court of Appeal. He has dealt extensively with personal injury claims.