B.C. trial legal professionals are elevating issues that the victims and surviving relations of the Lapu Lapu tragedy might by no means be correctly compensated.
The affiliation says that below B.C.’s no-fault insurance coverage mannequin, it’s harder for victims to efficiently sue for damages.
“I do know that ICBC likes to speak about these no-fault advantages, how they’re enhanced, however they’re actually not enhanced, a minimum of when it comes to the timing challenge that they do communicate of,” Ryan Kusuhara, principal of Kusuhara Legislation Company instructed World Information.
In an online statement, ICBC mentioned that everybody injured in a “automobile incident is mechanically lined for 12 weeks after the crash. Pre-approved treatments embody counselling, psychology, physiotherapy, kinesiology, chiropractor, registered therapeutic massage remedy and acupuncture. Injured clients could also be eligible for extra advantages, relying on their accidents.
“Injured clients gained’t want a referral from a household doctor or a nurse practitioner, or approval from ICBC to entry these remedies, they usually could also be eligible for extra care, relying on their accidents.”
However Kusuhara says most of those are usually not speedy remedies for a affected person of a catastrophic tragedy just like the Lapu Lapu pageant.
“They’re typically in hospital care, receiving surgical procedure, both in ICUs, receiving resuscitation, life-saving therapy, and all of that’s form of articulated right here,” he mentioned.
“I imply, you understand, sure, it’s nice that you just’re you don’t want a health care provider’s observe to get these remedies for the primary 12 weeks. However for many who, which are on this tragic incident, these are usually not actually the remedies they require instantly.”

The insurer says it has arrange a devoted crew to assist the Lapu Lapu victims.
“We actually consider at ICBC, we’ll present way more to the victims of the Lapu Lapu tragedy on this system than ever would have been the case within the outdated system, the place entitlement was restricted by how a lot insurance coverage was purchased by the perpetrator,” Jason McDaniel with ICBC instructed World Information.

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“We shall be there for all they want. These funds begin straight away.”
Greg Phillips with the BC Trial Legal professionals Affiliation mentioned ICBC continues to be liable for paying no-fault advantages, for misplaced wages and therapy.
“The one factor that they’ll go after survivors or the victims can go after is ache and struggling in addition to punitive damages,” he mentioned.
“Nonetheless, the place there’s a felony conviction, the courts virtually by no means award punitive damages.”

Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, was arrested on the scene on Saturday and has since been charged with eight counts of second-degree homicide.
Talking on Wednesday morning, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim confirmed that the suspect was below the care of a psychological well being care crew however he was on prolonged depart on the time.
Vancouver police mentioned extra fees towards Lo are anticipated however there isn’t any timeline for the investigation.
Lo stays in custody and appeared briefly in court docket on Friday afternoon.
Eleven individuals had been killed within the tragedy, together with seven girls, two males, one non-binary individual and one youngster. The victims vary in age from 5 to 65 years outdated.
Dozens of individuals had been injured however the precise variety of individuals stays unknown.
The B.C. Trial Legal professionals Affiliation has been crucial of ICBC’s no fault mannequin since in was launched in 2021.
It means victims of a collision can not sue for compensation and units limits on what persons are entitled to.
“After we attempt to have a one-size-fits-all answer, it doesn’t match anyone significantly properly,” Phillips mentioned.
“So now we have people who find themselves virtually actually going to be under-compensated.”
© 2025 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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