Recorded on June 23, 2026
Length 60 minutes
Summary
What happens if someone slips on your icy driveway? If you're injured after signing a ski hill waiver? If your knee gets worse after surgery? These everyday questions usually go unanswered — until something goes wrong. Personal injury lawyer Jacqueline Small answers common questions on how personal injury law in BC applies in everyday situations.
Highlights
In this webinar, you will learn:
Lay of the land
Examples of personal injury claims people can make in BC, other than motor vehicle injury claims involving ICBC. [2:45]
Everyday situations that can lead to a claim
Whether your friend or an insurance company must compensate you for injuries you suffer at your friend’s home, like slipping on their icy driveway. [7:00]
What happens legally when you sign a waiver on behalf of your child at a recreational venue, like a trampoline park, amusement park or ski hill. [9:20]
Steps to find out whether you have a viable claim against a surgeon who performs a surgery that leaves you worse off than before the surgery. [12:40]
Whether you have a viable claim against a doctor whose recommended treatment for an injury makes the injury worse. [18:10]
Whether you have a claim for compensation against a former spouse who was controlling and emotionally and physically abusive during your marriage. [21:20]
How compensation claims work and what you can expect if you get physically injured while doing your job. [25:45]
Whether you can sue for compensation and what you might be entitled to if you slip and fall and injure yourself at the mall. [31:20]
If you're injured: first steps
The first thing you should do if you or someone you’re with gets injured. [37:45]
What to do if you get injured, but only realize that you’re injured a few days later when the pain sets in. [40:25]
Making a claim
Factors to consider when choosing a venue for making a personal injury claim, including the monetary limits of the Civil Resolution Tribunal, small claims court, and the Supreme Court. [41:20]
Whether you can make a claim for increased compensation if your injuries get worse while the claim is ongoing. [44:20]
Working with a lawyer
The best time to contact a lawyer about making a personal injury claim and whether you can deal with your claim without a lawyer. [45:40]
How to prepare for a meeting with a lawyer about making a personal injury claim and factors to consider when choosing a lawyer. [48:35]
Prevention and protection
Precautions you can take as a homeowner to prevent injuries and protect yourself against potential claims. [51:35]
Live questions
Whether a waiver that is not signed, but just posted on a sign or on the back of your ski pass, is enforceable. [52:20]
Whether a homeowner is responsible for clearing snow from the sidewalk that is not on their property and belongs to the city, and whether the homeowner would be liable if a passer by fell and injured themself on the sidewalk. [52:50]
Whether a waiver is valid if a parent signs it on behalf of an infant. [53:35]
Whether a BC homeowner should register with WorkSafeBC when hiring casual or unregistered workers, given the low cost. [55:10]
Whether you can be held liable if someone gets injured during informal, unpaid outdoor activities that you organize (like running, hiking or calisthenics) without waivers. [56:20]
Featuring
Jacqueline A. Small
Jacqueline Small is a partner at Holness and Small Law Group. With over 16 years of experience with ICBC claims and all types of personal injury claims, she has dedicated her career to representing the injured. After obtaining her law degree at the University of British Columbia, she completed her articles at a prominent medical malpractice law firm, and then practised for several years at one of the province’s leading insurance law firms, representing insurance companies in defending against personal injury claims.
Attendee feedback
"Great topic, great questions raised, and great answers made!"
"Jackie was an engaging presenter and her calm, clear delivery was well-paced."
"Thank you, this was a very clear and helpful presentation."
"Thank you for such an informative session :)"
"I have always enjoyed your webinars."
“The online sessions provided are a great way of imparting legal knowledge among the public; please keep on doing this.”
Additional resources
From People’s Law School
Also
Infants Act, under which a waiver signed by a parent is not enforceable against a child if it takes away the child's right to sue for negligence