Fact #8: In 2007, PIA Law Alliance lawyers secured the largest spinal cord injury judgment in Canadian history – a combined award of more than $24 million for two catastrophically injured young men.

Personal Injury Alliance lawyers achieved the largest spinal cord injury judgment in Canadian history.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION:

Case Name: Gordon v. Greig, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, 2007 Firm: PIA Law Alliance member firm Lawyers: Roger Oatley and W. Teggart for Derek Gordon; James Vigmond and Brian Cameron for Ryan Morrison Judgment: Combined damages of more than $24 million – the largest joint damages award in Canadian personal injury history at the time.

Ryan Morrison’s individual award of $12.5 million remains the largest Canadian award for a spinal cord injury. Derek Gordon’s award of $11.5 million was one of the largest ever for a brain-injured adult.

CASE DETAILS: In 2003, Derek Gordon and Ryan Morrison were passengers in a pickup truck driven by Corey Greig, who was intoxicated. Greig lost control of the vehicle. Gordon sustained a severe traumatic brain injury requiring 24-hour care. Morrison became paraplegic. The defence argued contributory negligence – the young men were not wearing seatbelts and knew the driver had been drinking. After a contested multi-week trial, the Ontario Superior Court awarded damages reflecting lifetime attendant care costs, lost future income, housing costs, and general damages.

WHY IT MATTERS:

Personal injury claims of this magnitude rarely go to trial. Insurers typically settle before a jury hears what a catastrophic injury actually costs over a lifetime.

The PIA Law Alliance lawyers took this case to trial, proved the full scope of both plaintiffs’ losses, and set a record that still stands. For a prospective client, this case is evidence of what happens when a firm prepares every case as if it will be argued in court – the result changes what the insurance company is willing to offer.