A person injured by the negligence or other fault of another may claim damages or compensation for their losses. The basic rule for compensation used by the courts is that the aggrieved party is to be placed, as nearly as money can do so, in the same position as they were had the injury had not occurred. The legislature of all provinces has dramatically changed the law in relation to personal injury claims, particularly in relation to personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle collisions.
- The main types of personal injury actions are as follows:
- Motor vehicle accidents;
- “Slip and falls”;
- Defective products;
- Workplace accidents;
- Medical and other professional negligence;
- Other negligence (such as social host);
- Victims of Crime.
Many of the same principles of compensation apply to all personal injury claims, save and except where there has been a legislative scheme dealing specifically with the specific type of claim. The most notable are workplace injuries and motor vehicle accidents. In addition, most provinces have programs to compensate victims of crime.