Our firm represents Canadians whose loved ones have been killed in accidents anywhere in the United States. Based in British Columbia, Greg Lauer has more than 20 years of U.S. litigation experience and has tried over 90 cases before juries. Our firm handles serious wrongful-death claims in U.S. federal court, allowing Canadian families to work with an experienced American trial lawyer based in Canada without having to find and hire a separate U.S. law firm.
Wrongful Death Damages in the United States
One of the most significant differences between British Columbia and U.S. wrongful-death law is the compensation available to surviving family members.
Under British Columbia’s Family Compensation Act, wrongful-death damages generally focus on financial losses. A surviving spouse, child, or parent cannot recover damages simply for grief, emotional suffering, or loss of companionship.
Many U.S. states provide broader compensation. Depending on the applicable state law, surviving family members may recover damages for loss of companionship, love, care, guidance, and emotional suffering, in addition to financial losses.
In many wrongful-death cases we have handled over the past 20 years, the emotional and personal losses suffered by surviving family members have represented the largest component of damages.
Learn more about how wrongful-death damages in British Columbia compare with those available in the United States.
ICBC Death Benefits After a Fatal U.S. Accident
When a British Columbia resident is killed in a motor-vehicle accident in the United States, surviving family members may also qualify for ICBC death benefits.
These statutory benefits are separate from the U.S. wrongful-death claim. Depending on the circumstances, a family may receive ICBC benefits while also pursuing compensation against the party responsible for the death in the United States.
Our firm has handled cross-border wrongful-death cases in which families received ICBC death benefits without having to reimburse ICBC from their U.S. wrongful-death settlements.
Read our detailed guide to ICBC death benefits after a fatal U.S. accident, including benefit amounts, eligibility, and reimbursement issues.
Experienced U.S. Wrongful Death Representation
Greg Lauer has more than 20 years of experience in U.S. personal injury and wrongful-death litigation, including more than 90 jury trials.
Our firm handles serious wrongful-death claims arising anywhere in the United States. We investigate liability, identify available insurance coverage, evaluate the damages available to surviving family members, negotiate settlements, and pursue litigation in U.S. federal court where appropriate.
For families also dealing with American hospital expenses and insurance reimbursement claims, our U.S. Medical Bills Guide for Canadians explains how those issues can affect a settlement.
Free, Confidential Consultation
If your loved one was killed in an accident anywhere in the United States, contact Greg Lauer directly at 604-318-6725 to discuss your family’s potential claims.
Your consultation is free and confidential.