Chiasson v. Chiasson, 2008 NBCA 11

• Judge: Drapeau, C.J.N.B., Larlee and Deschênes, JJ.A.
• Court: Court of Appeal (New Brunswick)
• Case Date: September 27, 2007
• Jurisdiction: New Brunswick
• Citations: 2008 NBCA 11;(2008), 326 N.B.R.(2d) 282 (CA)

Chiasson v. Chiasson (2008), 326 N.B.R.(2d) 282 (CA);

    326 R.N.-B.(2e) 282; 838 A.P.R. 282

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Sommaire et texte intégral

[French language version follows English language version]

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

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Temp. Cite: [2008] N.B.R.(2d) TBEd. FE.023

Renvoi temp.: [2008] N.B.R.(2d) TBEd. FE.023

Éric Chiasson (appelant) c. Steve Chiasson (intimé)

(68/06/CA; 2008 NBCA 11)

Indexed As: Chiasson v. Chiasson

Répertorié: Chiasson v. Chiasson

New Brunswick Court of Appeal

Drapeau, C.J.N.B., Larlee and Deschênes, JJ.A.

February 7, 2008.

Summary:

Résumé:

The plaintiff sued the defendant for damages as a result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident.

The New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench, Trial Division, in a decision reported 298 N.B.R.(2d) 268; 775 A.P.R. 268, allowed the action. The court awarded $156,684 in damages, which included the following: (1) non-pecuniary loss: $50,000; (2) past loss of income: $37,500; (3) future loss of income: $35,000; and (4) cost of future care: $3,000. The defendant appealed.

The New Brunswick Court of Appeal allowed the appeal with costs. The court varied the first instance decision as follows: (1) the award of general damages for future loss of earning capacity was set aside; (2) the amount of $5,500 was substituted for the amount awarded at rial for past loss of earning capacity. The court ordered a corresponding adjustment to the related award of interest and the costs awarded at trial.

Damage Awards - Topic 11

Injury and death - General - Continuing pain (incl. fibromyalgia, myofascial and chronic pain syndrome) - [See Damage Awards - Topic 26 ].

Damage Awards - Topic 26

Injury and death - Arm and hand injuries - Fractures of radius or ulna - The plaintiff was born in 1975 - In 1996, he was injured in an automobile accident - He sued - The trial judge found that the plaintiff suffered the following injuries: a fracture of the ulna of the left arm, a compression fracture of the 7th thoracic vertebra, soft tissue injuries to the neck and back and a severe sprain of the right ankle - He accepted the plaintiff's contention that his fibromyalgia and temporo-mandibular dysfunction originated with the accident and that it was probable that his pain syndrome was permanent - Finally, the trial judge acknowledged that [Translation] "the injuries sustained in the accident have affected and continue to affect [the plaintiff's] quality of life in a significant way" - The trial judge awarded $50,000 for non-pecuniary loss - The New Brunswick Court of Appeal declined to interfere - See paragraphs 28 to 30.

Damage Awards - Topic 68

Injury and death - Body injuries - Back - Vertebral fracture or displacement - [See Damage Awards - Topic 26 ].

Damage Awards - Topic 71

Injury and death - Body injuries - Back - Sprains, tears and soft tissue injuries - [See Damage Awards - Topic 26 ].

Damage Awards - Topic 111

Injury and death - Head injuries - Jaw - [See Damage Awards - Topic 26 ].

Damage Awards - Topic 125

Injury and death - Leg injuries - Ankle - [See Damage Awards - Topic 26 ].

Damage Awards - Topic 179

Injury and death - Neck injuries - Soft tissue injuries - [See Damage Awards - Topic 26 ].

Damages - Topic 1550

General damages - General damages for personal injury - Prospective loss of wages or earnings (incl. formula) - The plaintiff was born in 1975 - In 1996, he was injured in an automobile accident - He sued - The trial judge found that the plaintiff suffered the following injuries: a fracture of the ulna of the left arm, a compression fracture of the 7th thoracic vertebra, soft tissue injuries to the neck and back and a severe sprain of the right ankle - He accepted the plaintiff's contention that his fibromyalgia and temporo-mandibular dysfunction originated with the accident and that it was probable that his pain syndrome was permanent - The trial judge awarded $35,000 for future loss of income, accepting that the plaintiff's pain would force him to take an extra year to complete his bachelor degree in teaching - The New Brunswick Court of Appeal quashed the award - During the prescribed period, the plaintiff completed a one-year course at a community college, was able to play soccer and hockey, participated in an aerobic exercise program, performed maintenance work at a nursing home, worked as a travelling salesman and a supply teacher - In addition, the conclusion that the plaintiff would need an extra year to complete his degree was irreconcilable with the trial judge's finding that teaching was an occupation that the plaintiff could carry out in his present physical condition - See paragraphs 45 to 49.

Damages - Topic 1550.1

General damages - General damages for personal injury - Pre-trial loss of wages or earnings - The plaintiff was born in 1975 - On June 1, 1996, he was injured in an automobile accident - He sued - The trial judge found that the plaintiff suffered the following injuries: a fracture of the ulna of the left arm, a compression fracture of the 7th thoracic vertebra, soft tissue injuries to the neck and back and a severe sprain of the right ankle - He accepted the plaintiff's contention that his fibromyalgia and temporo-mandibular dysfunction originated with the accident and that it was probable that his pain syndrome was permanent - The trial judge awarded $37,500 for past loss of income, representing a loss of three years - At the time of the accident, the plaintiff had a temporary part-time job until July 15, 1996, which paid him $208 per week - The New Brunswick Court of Appeal quashed the award - The trial judge assumed that the plaintiff was totally disabled from work from June 1, 1996, until December 31, 2001 - However, the evidence showed that this was not the case as of February 1998 - From that date, the plaintiff was able to exercise a sedentary occupation - The court held that but for the accident, the plaintiff would, in all likelihood, have obtained and kept full-time work 50% of the time between July 15, 1996 and February 1, 1998 (the end of his disability) - The court substituted an award of $5,500 (rounded off), representing $1,248 actually lost from June 1, 1998 to July 15, 1996, plus $9,600 (40 weeks @ $240 per week for the July, 15, 1996-February 1, 1998 period), less $5,460 for Section B benefits - See paragraphs 31 to 47.

Dommages-intérêts - Cote 1550

Dommages-intérêts généraux - Dommages-intérêts généraux pour préjudice corporel - Perte de salaire ou de gains futurs (y compris la formule de calcul) - [Voir Damages - Topic 1550 ].

Dommages-intérêts - Cote 1550.1

Dommages-intérêts généraux - Dommages-intérêts généraux pour préjudice corporel - Perte de salaire ou de gains subie avant le procès - [Voir Damages - Topic 1550.1 ].

Évaluation des dommages-intérêts - Cote 11

Blessures et décès - Généralités - Douleur continue (y compris fibromyalgie, douleurs myofasciales et syndrome de la douleur chronique) - [Voir Damage Awards - Topic 11 ].

Évaluation des dommages-intérêts - Cote 26

Blessures et décès - Blessures au bras et à la main - Fracture du radius ou du cubitus - [Voir Damage Awards - Topic 26 ].

Évaluation des dommages-intérêts - Cote 68

Blessures et décès - Blessures au tronc - Dos - Fracture ou déplacement vertébral - [Voir Damage Awards - Topic 68 ].

Évaluation des dommages-intérêts - Cote 71

Blessures et décès - Blessures au tronc - Dos - Entorses, déchirures et lésions des tissus mous - [Voir Damage Awards - Topic 71 ].

Évaluation des dommages-intérêts - Cote 111

Blessures et décès - Blessures à la tête - Mâchoire - [Voir Damage Awards - Topic 111 ].

Évaluation des dommages-intérêts - Cote 125

Blessures et décès - Blessures à la jambe - Cheville - [Voir Damage Awards - Topic 125 ].

Évaluation des dommages-intérêts - Cote 179

Blessures et décès - Blessures au cou - Blessures aux tissus mous - [Voir Damage Awards - Topic 179 ].

Cases Noticed:

Cleary v. McCluskey (2002), 252 N.B.R.(2d) 10; 658 A.P.R. 10; 2002 NBCA 45, refd to. [para. 22].

H.L. v. Canada (Attorney General) et al., [2005] 1 S.C.R. 401; 333 N.R. 1; 262 Sask.R. 1; 347 W.A.C. 1; 2005 SCC 25, refd to. [para. 23].

Woelk v. Halvorson, [1980] 2 S.C.R. 430; 33 N.R. 232; 24 A.R. 620, refd to. [para. 26].

Naylor Group Inc. v. Ellis-Don Construction Ltd., [2001] 2 S.C.R. 943; 277 N.R. 1; 153 O.A.C. 341; 2001 SCC 58, refd to. [para. 26].

Scott v. Renton et al. (1999), 215 N.B.R.(2d) 263; 551 A.P.R. 263 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 28].

Vincent v. Abu-Bakare (2003), 259 N.B.R.(2d) 66; 681 A.P.R. 66; 2003 NBCA 42, reving. in part [2002] N.B.R.(2d) (Supp.) No. 26; 2002 NBQB 102, refd to. [para. 30].

King v. Buckley et al. (1997), 195 N.B.R.(2d) 1; 499 A.P.R. 1 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 30].

R. v. Jennings, [1966] S.C.R. 532, refd to. [para. 31].

Andrews et al. v. Grand & Toy (Alberta) Ltd. et al., [1978] 2 S.C.R. 229; 19 N.R. 50; 8 A.R. 182, refd to. [para. 31].

M.B. v. British Columbia, [2003] 2 S.C.R. 477; 309 N.R. 375; 187 B.C.A.C. 161; 307 W.A.C. 161; 2003 SCC 53, refd to. [para. 31].

Smith v. Agnew (2001), 240 N.B.R.(2d) 63; 622 A.P.R. 63; 2001 NBCA 83, refd to. [para. 32].

Desjardins v. Theriault (1970), 3 N.B.R.(2d) 260 (Co. Ct.), refd to. [para. 33].

Michaud v. Clark (J.) and Sons Ltd. and Malek (1980), 31 N.B.R.(2d) 98; 75 A.P.R. 98 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 33].

Harvey Foods Ltd. v. Reid (1971), 3 N.B.R.(2d) 444 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 33].

Melanson v. Sonier (1994), 154 N.B.R.(2d) 346; 395 A.P.R. 346 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 35].

Walker v. Ritchie et al., [2003] O.T.C. 3 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 35].

Kern v. Steele (2002), 207 N.S.R.(2d) 116; 649 A.P.R. 116; 2002 NSSC 178, refd to. [para. 35].

Hadden v. Pawluk Estate (1990), 63 Man.R.(2d) 128 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 35].

Slaney v. Ellis and Hickman Motors Ltd. (1993), 108 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 181; 339 A.P.R. 181 (Nfld. T.D.), refd to. [para. 35].

Mack v. Enns, [1981] B.C.J. No. 1075 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 35].

Ngo v. Toth, [1989] B.C.J. No. 1196 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 35].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Cooper-Stevenson, Kenneth D., and Saunders, Iwan B., Personal Injury Damages in Canada (2nd Ed. 1996), pp. 138, 213 [para. 31].

Waddams, Stephen M., The Law of Damages (2006 Looseleaf Ed.), p. 3-15 [para. 31].

Counsel:

Avocats:

J. William Collette and Michael R. Cormier, for the appellant, Éric Chiasson;

Bertin Thériault, for the respondent, Steve Chiasson;

This appeal was heard on September 27, 2007, by Drapeau, C.J.N.B., Larlee and Deschênes, JJ.A., of the New Brunswick Court of Appeal. The following decision of the Court of Appeal was delivered in both official languages on February 7, 2008, by Drapeau, C.J.N.B.