FAQ

No.  We work on a contingency basis, meaning that our legal fee is paid out of the proceeds of any settlement or judgment we obtain on your behalf.  Our legal fee is paid at the end of your case.

There are various costs for medical reports, lawsuit filing fees, specialists’ examinations, doctors’ charts, etc.  We will pay these costs.  If you do not recover anything for your case, we will write these costs off.

We will never ask you to provide us with any money.

1. As soon as possible after leaving the scene of the accident, write notes about what occurred or use your cell phone to create an audio recording or video recording outlining the events in as much detail as possible.
2. If police did not attend the scene and the accident resulted in injuries, or vehicle damage exceeding $2,000, you must report the accident at a district police office. Bring your operator’s license, vehicle registration form and proof of insurance with you and complete a collision report form. Bring any contact information you were able to gather at the scene for other drivers, passengers and witnesses.
3. Get medical attention for your injuries. It is important to visit your doctor or, for more serious injuries, visit an emergency room for the following reasons:
   1) To ensure any medical needs arising from the accident are addressed; and,
   2) To provide proof that you have suffered an injury. Insurance companies may deny a claim without sufficient records.
4. Report the incident to your employer or school.
5. Report the accident to your insurance company within 7 days.
6. Talk to a personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement offers from your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Remember, it’s impossible for you to know early on how quickly your injuries will heal or how much the accident will impact your life.
7. Keep records and hang onto receipts relating to expenses associated with the accident including lost wages, treatment costs, transportation costs, child care and housekeeping.
8. Call an experienced personal injury lawyer who will provide a free, no-obligation consultation.

The personal injury lawyers at Pefanis Horvath practice only personal injury law. During the past 23 years, we have secured fair compensation for hundreds of clients who have been injured in car accidents, slip and fall accidents and other incidents involving injuries inflicted due to the negligence of others. We have also won significant awards for the surviving spouses, children and grandchildren in several wrongful death suits.

We are available to meet with you for a free, no-obligation consultation in your home or in our Calgary office to learn more about the accident and better understand how your injuries have impacted your life and your family’s lives. We will help you to understand your rights under the law and explain what compensation is recovered in typical lawsuits with comparable injuries in the following categories:

• Pain and suffering
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Treatment and rehabilitation expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of income earning capacity
• Loss of housekeeping capacity
• Future care requirements

The lawyers at Pefanis Horvath work on a contingency basis. Our fees are calculated based on a percentage of what is recovered on your behalf. That means we do not get paid unless we are able to secure financial compensation for you.

The litigation process takes that time, particularly if the plaintiff is still recovering. It’s important not to rush to sign any financial settlement until you have a clear understanding of how the accident will impact your health and earning potential long term.

At Pefanis Horvath, we start working with our clients immediately upon being retained. We file all necessary paperwork, initiate communications with other parties, gather all medical records and we arrange and pay for any specialist assessments that can benefit your case. Oftentimes, our clients find that specialist assessments in the areas of vocational interests and aptitudes as well as psychological health are highly valuable and insightful in exploring education and career options post accident. We will continue to work to build your case while you recuperate and receive treatment. Once your medical care team is certain that your healing has reached a stable and maximum point of recovery, we will be in a position to calculate what your claim is worth and move the legal process forward with negotiations and, if necessary, trial.

The vast majority of personal injury claims do not go to trial. Typically, claims involving injuries arising from car accidents, slip and fall accidents and other incidents resulting from negligence are settled out of court following an examination for discovery process. The lawyers at Pefanis Horvath have extensive experiencing successfully managing all aspects of this process. When it comes time for our clients to participate in a Questioning (essentially, an interview which is recorded and transcribed by a court reporter), we ensure our clients feel prepared and confident and know exactly what is expected of them.

The need to go to trial is rare. However, if it becomes necessary to go to trial to secure the compensation you deserve, the lawyers at Pefanis Horvath have the skills and experience needed to successfully lead your case at trial.

We have worked with many clients whose first language isn’t English and we have developed many successful strategies along the way. Our team often works alongside the family and friends of clients to navigate the legal process and employ translators to help with oral and written communication when needed.

We have helped many clients who were vacationing in Alberta at the time of their accidents but live in other provinces in Canada as well as in the US. We have also represented clients who moved away from Calgary after their accident occurred. Our clients are able to rest and recuperate in peace while we build their cases no matter where they currently reside.

Before accepting an offer, you should consult a personal injury lawyer. The lawyers at Pefanis Horvath offer a free, no-obligation consultation in your home or at our office. We will be able to help you determine if they are offering fair compensation based on your situation.

Yes. The information you share with us is protected by the attorney-client privilege and will remain confidential even if you don’t retain our services following our free, no obligation consultation. It is important that we understand all pertinent facts in your case, including details of prior accidents and pre-existing injuries, in order to help you determine what your personal injury claim might be worth.

Many of our clients are living with pre-existing medical conditions resulting from prior car accidents, sports or work injuries, arthritis/spinal degeneration, and other causes. Physicians, surgeons and physical therapists are well equipped to review treatment records and x-rays from pre- and post-accident, and make a determination on how the current accident has impacted a patient’s health and well-being.

The attorneys at Pefanis Horvath manage small, medium and large damage cases. We have experience with a vast range of injuries ranging from soft tissue injury cases to catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. We are equipped to handle all personal injury cases resulting from negligence. Call today to arrange a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.

The loss of a loved one is devastating. And no amount of money can ease the suffering of a surviving spouse, domestic partner, parents, children, siblings and grandparents. However, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation from various sources including CPP Death Benefits, life insurance policies, Section B benefits connected to automobile insurance policies and claims made under the Fatal Accidents Act. The lawyers at Pefanis Horvath have helped many families navigate the system and secure financial compensation to preserve their financial wellbeing. We are committed to managing these cases with the compassion, empathy and dedication they deserve.

The types of damages that can be sought in a wrongful death suit include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Future financial support to surviving spouse, children and other family members
• Value of household services that would have been provided by the deceased
• Loss of companionship, affection, love, care and comfort

Because the loss of a loved one can completely alter the life of the surviving family, it is important to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement offers.