Brito v. Woolley et al., 2001 BCSC 1178

• Judge: Sinclair Prowse, J.
• Court: Supreme Court of British Columbia (Canada)
• Case Date: August 17, 2001
• Jurisdiction: British Columbia
• Citations: 2001 BCSC 1178;[2001] B.C.T.C. 1178 (SC)

Brito v. Woolley, [2001] B.C.T.C. 1178 (SC)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2001] B.C.T.C. TBEd. SE.045

Elliott Neal Pawliuk Brito, an infant by his Guardian ad litem, Rosemary Pawliuk and Rosemary Pawliuk (plaintiffs) v. Dr. Harold Ewart Woolley, Nurse Susan Omstead, Nurse Bente Pedersen and Burnaby Hospital and Dr. Shelley Ross (defendants)

(C981891; 2001 BCSC 1178)

Rosemary Pawliuk (plaintiff) v. Dr. Shelley Ross (defendant)

(C982008; 2001 BCSC 1178)

Indexed As: Brito v. Woolley et al.

British Columbia Supreme Court

Vancouver

Sinclair Prowse, J.

August 17, 2001.

Summary:

This headnote contains no summary.

Damage Awards - Topic 367

Injury and death - Disease or illness - Cerebral palsy - See paragraphs 679 to 690.

Damage Awards - Topic 456

Injury and death - Special damage awards - Specialized equipment - See paragraphs 365 to 390.

Damage Awards - Topic 459

Injury and death - Special damage awards - Medical and hospital costs - See paragraphs 365 to 390.

Damage Awards - Topic 489

Injury and death - General damage awards - Cost of future care and treatment - See paragraphs 419 to 619.

Damage Awards - Topic 492

Injury and death - General damage awards - Loss of earning capacity - See paragraphs 620 to 677.

Damage Awards - Topic 634

Torts/Quebec responsibility - Injury to the person - Medical or dental malpractice - See paragraphs 365 to 390.

Damages - Topic 1288

Losses by third parties - Recoverable losses - General and special damages for personal care of injured person - See paragraphs 391 to 404.

Hospitals - Topic 2051

Liability of hospitals - To patients - General - Negligence - Pre-operative preparation - See paragraphs 346 to 355.

Medicine - Topic 3045

Relation with patient - Consent to treatment - What constitutes informed consent - See paragraphs 132 to 175.

Medicine - Topic 3046

Relation with patient - Consent to treatment - Informed consent - Burden of proof - See paragraphs 132 to 175.

Medicine - Topic 3048

Relation with patient - Consent to treatment - Negligence or fault - Duty of the treating doctor to inform patient - See paragraphs 132 to 175.

Medicine - Topic 3050

Relation with patient - Consent to treatment - Negligence - Causation - See paragraphs 132 to 175.

Medicine - Topic 3052

Relation with patient - Consent to treatment - Standard of disclosure by doctor - See paragraphs 132 to 175.

Medicine - Topic 4241.1

Liability of practitioners - Negligence or fault - Negligence or distinguished from errors in judgment - See paragraphs 176 to 311.

Medicine - Topic 4241.2

Liability of practitioners - Negligence or fault - Causation - See paragraphs 176 to 311.

Medicine - Topic 4242

Liability of practitioners - Negligence or fault - Standard of care - See paragraphs 176 to 311.

Medicine - Topic 4252.2

Liability of practitioners - Negligence or fault - Obstetrical or gynaecological care - See paragraphs 176 to 311.

Medicine - Topic 4255.1

Liability of practitioners - Negligence or fault - Prenatal care - See paragraphs 176 to 311.

Medicine - Topic 6864

Nurses - Negligence - Patient care - Standard of care - See paragraphs 312 to 345.

Medicine - Topic 6866

Nurses - Negligence - Patient care - Negligent care - See paragraphs 312 to 345.

Cases Noticed:

Reibl v. Hughes, [1980] 2 S.C.R. 880; 33 N.R. 361; 114 D.L.R.(3d) 1; 14 C.C.L.T. 1, refd to. [para. 132].

Arndt et al. v. Smith, [1997] 2 S.C.R. 539; 213 N.R. 243; 92 B.C.A.C. 185; 150 W.A.C. 185; 148 D.L.R.(4th) 48, refd to. [para. 132].

Lepp v. Hopp, [1980] 2 S.C.R. 192; 32 N.R. 145, refd to. [para. 132].

Bauer v. Seager et al., [2000] 11 W.W.R. 621; 147 Man.R.(2d) 1, refd to. [para. 132].

Mangalji et al. v. Graham et al. (1997), 194 A.R. 116; 47 Alta. L.R.(3d) 19 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 132].

Rhine v. Millan et al., [2000] 7 W.W.R. 136; 263 A.R. 201 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 132].

Puranen v. Thomson and Lim (1987), 46 Man.R.(2d) 55 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 133].

Ciarlariello et al. v. Schacter et al., [1993] 2 S.C.R. 119; 151 N.R. 133; 62 O.A.C. 161; 15 C.C.L.T.(2d) 209, affd. (1991), 44 O.A.C. 385; 5 C.C.L.T.(2d) 221, refd to. [para. 133].

Brimacombe v. Mathews et al., [1999] 25 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), revd. (2001), 150 B.C.A.C. 71; 245 W.A.C. 71; 87 B.C.L.R.(3d) 75 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 183].

Whitehouse v. Jordan, [1980] 1 All E.R. 650 (C.A.), affd. [1981] 1 All E.R. 267 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 183].

Crits v. Sylvester (1956), 1 D.L.R.(2d) 502 (Ont. C.A.), affd. [1956] S.C.R. 991, refd to. [para. 186].

McCormick v. Marcotte, [1972] S.C.R. 18, refd to. [para. 187].

Wilson v. Swanson, [1956] S.C.R. 804, refd to. [para. 188].

Lapointe v. Chevrette, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 351; 133 N.R. 116; 45 Q.A.C. 262; 90 D.L.R.(4th) 7; 10 C.C.L.T.(2d) 101; 9 C.P.C.(3d) 78, refd to. [para. 188].

Lapointe v. Hôpital Le Gardeur - see Lapointe v. Chevrette.

Neuzen v. Korn, [1995] 3 S.C.R. 674; 188 N.R. 161; 64 B.C.A.C. 241; 105 W.A.C. 241; [1995] 10 W.W.R. 1; 127 D.L.R.(4th) 577, refd to. [para. 188].

ter Neuzen v. Korn - see Neuzen v. Korn.

Gadsby v. MacGillivray, [1997] B.C.T.C. Uned. 995 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 191].

Quereshi v. Nickerson, [1988] B.C.J. No. 1659 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 191].

MacDonald v. York County Hospital Corp. et al. (1972), 28 D.L.R.(3d) 521 (Ont. H.C.), varied (1974), 41 D.L.R.(3d) 321 (Ont. C.A.), refd to. [para. 192].

Cardin v. Montreal (City) (1961), 29 D.L.R.(2d) 492 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 193].

Wilson v. Swanson (1956), 5 D.L.R.(2d) 113 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 194].

Snell v. Farrell, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 311; 110 N.R. 200; 107 N.B.R.(2d) 94; 267 A.P.R. 94; 72 D.L.R.(4th) 289; 4 C.C.L.T.(2d) 229, refd to. [para. 196].

McGhee v. National Coal Board, [1972] 3 All E.R. 1008 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 196].

Athey v. Leonati et al., [1996] 3 S.C.R. 458; 203 N.R. 36; 81 B.C.A.C. 243; 132 W.A.C. 243; 140 D.L.R.(4th) 235; 31 C.C.L.T.(2d) 113; [1997] 1 W.W.R. 97, refd to. [para. 196].

Horsley v. MacLaren, [1972] S.C.R. 441, refd to. [para. 197].

Myers v. Board of Education of Peel County, [1981] 2 S.C.R. 21, refd to. [para. 198].

Bonnington Castings Ltd. v. Wardlaw, [1956] 1 All E.R. 615 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 198].

R. v. Pinske (1988), 30 B.C.L.R.(2d) 114 (C.A.), affd. [1989] 2 S.C.R. 979; 100 N.R. 399, refd to. [para. 198].

Alphacell Ltd. v. Woodward, [1972] 2 All E.R. 475, refd to. [para. 199].

Moore v. Castlegar & District Hospital et al. (1998), 103 B.C.A.C. 187; 169 W.A.C. 187; 49 B.C.L.R.(3d) 100 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 200].

Board of Education of Assiniboine South School Division No. 3 and Hofer et al. v. Greater Winnipeg Gas Co., [1971] 4 W.W.R. 746 (Man. C.A.), affd. [1973] 6 W.W.R. 765; 1 N.R. 32 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 202].

Kalogeropoulos and Millette v. Cote (Minister of Highways) and Ontario Provincial Police Force, [1976] 1 S.C.R. 595; 3 N.R. 341, refd to. [para. 204].

Tekano v. Lions Gate Hospital et al. (1999), 16 B.C.T.C. 194 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 314].

Heidebrecht v. Fraser-Burrard Hospital Society, [1996] B.C.J. No. 3042 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 314].

Kolesar Estate v. Brant (Joseph) Memorial Hospital and Malette (1974), 59 D.L.R.(3d) 367 (Ont. H.C.), varied (1976), 68 D.L.R.(3d) 198 (Ont. C.A.), affd. [1978] 1 S.C.R. 491; 13 N.R. 302; 2 C.C.L.T. 170 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 348].

Smith v. Dodds et al., [1998] B.C.T.C. Uned. 948 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 349].

Yepremiam v. Scarborough General Hospital (1980), 28 O.R.(2d) 494 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 349].

Milina v. Bartsch et al. (1985), 49 B.C.L.R.(2d) 33 (S.C.), additional reasons (1985), 63 B.C.L.R. 122 (S.C.), affd. (1988), 49 B.C.L.R.(2d) 99 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 363].

Crane v. Worwood (1992), 65 B.C.L.R.(2d) 16 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 392].

Feng v. Graham (1988), 25 B.C.L.R.(2d) 116 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 392].

Macdonald (Guardian ad litem of) v. Neufeld (1993), 17 C.C.L.T.(2d) 210 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [para. 422].

Bajpai v. Hunter, [1991] B.C.J. No. 774 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 422].

Anderson v. James et al. (1992), 7 B.C.A.C. 205; 15 W.A.C. 205; 63 B.C.L.R.(2d) 176 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 423].

Oliver v. Ashman, [1961] 3 All E.R. 323 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 423].

Dubé v. Penlon Ltd. (1994), 21 C.C.L.T.(2d) 268 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 424].

Earnshaw v. Despins (1990), 45 B.C.L.R.(2d) 380 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 621].

Steenblock v. Funk (1990), 46 B.C.L.R.(2d) 133 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 624].

Janiak v. Ippolito, [1985] 1 S.C.R. 146; 57 N.R. 241; 9 O.A.C. 1; 16 D.L.R.(4th) 1, refd to. [para. 625].

Zapf v. Muckalt (1995), 11 B.C.L.R.(3d) 296 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 651].

Semenoff et al. v. Kokan et al. (1991), 4 B.C.A.C. 191; 9 W.A.C. 191; 59 B.C.L.R.(2d) 195 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 671].]

Lindal v. Lindal, [1981] 2 S.C.R. 629; 39 N.R. 361; [1982] 1 W.W.R. 433; 129 D.L.R.(3d) 263; 34 B.C.L.R. 273; 19 C.C.L.T. 1, refd to. [para. 681].

Rothwell v. Raes (1988), 66 O.R.(2d) 449 (H.C.), refd to. [para. 681].

Granger v. Ottawa General Hospital et al. (1996), 7 O.T.C. 81 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 681].

Kenyeres v. Cullimore, [1992] O.J. No. 540 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 681].

Audet v. Bates (1998), 18 C.P.C.(4th) 357 (B.C.S.C.), refd to. [para. 681].

Ferguson v. Hamilton Civic Hospitals (1983), 144 D.L.R.(3d) 214 (Ont. H.C.), refd to. [para. 693].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Cooper-Stephenson, Kenneth D., and Saunders, Iwan B., Personal Injury Damages in Canada (2nd Ed. 1996), generally [para. 365].

Fleming, John G., The Law of Torts (9th Ed. 1998), p. 229 [para. 202].

Ontario, Law Reform Commission, Report on Compensation for Personal Injuries and Death (1987), p. 117 [para. 364].

Picard, Ellen I., and Robertson, Gerald B., Legal Liability of Doctors and Hospitals in Canada (3rd Ed. 1996), p. 157 [para. 135].

Counsel:

J.L. Finlay and I.C. Faulkner, for the plaintiffs;

C.E. Hinkson, Q.C., and M.F. Rusen, for the defendants, Dr. Harold Ewart Woolley and Dr. Shelley Ross;

J.C. Grauer and E.J.A. Stanger, for the defendants, Nurse Bente Pedersen, Nurse Susan Omstead and Burnaby Hospital.

This action was heard at Vancouver, B.C., on November 22 to 26, 29 and 30, December 1 to 3, 6 to 10, and 13 to 17, 1999, January 10 to 17, March 20 to 24 and 27 to 30, and May 15 to 19, 2000, before Sinclair Prowse, J., of the British Columbia Supreme Court, who delivered the following judgment on August 17, 2001.

Please note: The following judgment has not been edited.