Adams Estate et al. v. McKiel et al., (2012) 387 N.B.R.(2d) 140 (TD)

• Judge: Clendening, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
• Case Date: March 13, 2012
• Jurisdiction: New Brunswick
• Citations: (2012), 387 N.B.R.(2d) 140 (TD);2012 NBQB 106

Adams Estate v. McKiel (2012), 387 N.B.R.(2d) 140 (TD);

    387 R.N.-B.(2e) 140; 1001 A.P.R. 140

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[La version française vient à la suite de la version anglaise]

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Temp. Cite: [2012] N.B.R.(2d) TBEd. AP.014

Renvoi temp.: [2012] N.B.R.(2d) TBEd. AP.014

Estate of the late Mark Robert Adams, as Represented by Glen Adams and Ruth Adams, Glen Adams, Ruth Adams, Shawn Adams, Alexandra Earle-Lambert, Megan Young and Beth Earle as Litigation Guardian for Emerson Earle-Lambert (plaintiffs/moving parties) v. Larry James McKiel and Loyal Taxi Ltd. (defendants/responding parties)

(F-C-94-09; 2012 NBQB 106; 2012 NBBR 106)

Indexed As: Adams Estate et al. v. McKiel et al.

Répertorié: Adams Estate et al. v. McKiel et al.

New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench

Trial Division

Judicial District of Fredericton

Clendening, J.

March 28, 2012.

Summary:

Résumé:

Adams died in an accident. His estate sued for compensation. It moved under rule 23.01(1) of the Rules of Court (N.B.) for a determination of a question of law, i.e., whether the estate was entitled, pursuant to the Survival of Actions Act (N.B.) or otherwise, to recover damages for loss of future earnings as a result of Adams' death.

The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, ruled that the estate was not entitled to recover damages for future loss of earnings.

Damages - Topic 2104

Torts causing death - General - Damages recoverable - Section 5(1) of the Survival of Actions Act, R.S.N.B. 2011, c. S-18, provided that "Where a cause of action survives for the benefit of the estate of a deceased person, only damages that have resulted in actual pecuniary loss to the estate are recoverable ..." - The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, held that a deceased's estate could not recover damages for his loss of future earning capacity because it did not constitute an "actual pecuniary loss to the estate" - Actual pecuniary loss referred to damages incurred by the deceased or his estate prior to his death - Future loss of wages was not an actual pecuniary loss - See paragraphs 1 to 20.

Damages - Topic 2384

Torts causing death - Particular damage claims - Loss of future income - [See Damages - Topic 2104 ].

Torts - Topic 7905

Survival of actions - General - Injuries resulting in death - [See Damages - Topic 2104 ].

Délits civils - Cote 7905

Survie des actions - Généralités - Blessures mortelles - [Voir Torts - Topic 7905 ].

Dommages-intérêts - Cote 2104

Délits civils causant la mort - Généralités - Dommages-intérêts recouvrables - [Voir Damages - Topic 2104 ].

Dommages-intérêts - Cote 2384

Réclamations particulières - Perte de revenus futurs (y compris réclamation pour années perdues) - [Voir Damages - Topic 2384 ].

Cases Noticed:

Baker v. Bolton (1808), 1 Camp. 493; 170 E.R. 1033 (K.B.), refd to. [para. 8].

Galand Estate v. Stewart (1993), 135 A.R. 129; 33 W.A.C. 129; 1992 ABCA 334, consd. [para. 14].

Duncan Estate v. Baddeley (1997), 196 A.R. 161; 141 W.A.C. 161 (C.A.), consd. [para. 15].

MacLean et al. v. McDonald (2002), 201 N.S.R.(2d) 237; 629 A.P.R. 237; 2000 CarswellNS 75 (C.A.), consd. [para. 16].

Balkos Estate v. Cook (1990), 41 O.A.C. 151; 1990 CarswellOnt 504 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 19].

Rayner v. Knickle and Kingston (1991), 88 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 214; 274 A.P.R. 214 (P.E.I.C.A.), refd to. [para. 19].

Statutes Noticed:

Survival of Actions Act, R.S.N.B. 2011, c. S-18, sect. 5(1) [para. 8].

Counsel:

Avocats:

Melissa M. Everett Withers and Hugh J. Cameron, for the plaintiffs (moving parties);

Terrence L.S. Teed, Q.C., for the defendants (responding parties).

This motion was heard on March 13, 2012, by Clendening, J., of the New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, Judicial District of Fredericton, who delivered the following decision on March 28, 2012.