Judge’s Rebuke Highlights Concerns Over ICBC’s Handling of Claims and Obligations of Injured Drivers
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has admonished ICBC for its “egregious behaviour” toward an injured driver, dismissing the insurer’s attempt to reduce her $400,000 award and ordering immediate payment for necessary physiotherapy.
As first reported in The Vancouver Sun, Patricia Taylor, who was injured in a 2017 accident involving an ICBC-insured driver deemed fully at fault, was granted over $400,000 in damages in 2021. However, ICBC’s failure to fully compensate her and its delays in covering physiotherapy expenses have significantly impacted Taylor’s “health and quality of life,” according to Justice Catherine Murray’s ruling.
Murray criticized ICBC’s handling of Taylor’s claims, highlighting the insurer’s pattern of waiting until legal intervention is imminent before fulfilling its obligations. Despite a promise made to the court in 2022 to promptly address Taylor’s claims, ICBC continued to stall, leaving Taylor in a precarious position.
Instead of reducing Taylor’s award by $137,000, as sought by ICBC, Murray ordered the insurer to pay Taylor the full amount. This decision was motivated by the imperative need for Taylor to access therapy and regain control over her life, given ICBC’s demonstrated unreliability.
The case underscores broader concerns about ICBC’s practices and its treatment of claimants, casting doubt on the insurer’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations. Murray’s ruling serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals navigating the complexities of insurance claims in British Columbia.
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