Frequently Asked Questions
General
We have multiple locations in Alberta, and we're expanding so we can serve more people in Alberta and beyond. We also have virtual options available, or in some cases, we can come to you! See our current locations here.
Our goal is to help you find a solution, even if we’re not it. You can always contact us, and if we can’t help you, we can offer alternative recommendations and provide you with any other resources you may need.
You may not need a lawyer. But it never hurts to consider all your options. A lawyer can advocate for your rights, help you find answers, protect your interests, and get you the compensation that you’re entitled to. But we don’t want to just bea necessity - we strive to be lawyers you’ll love. That’s why we’ll go above and beyond to help and serve you if you decide to choose us.
We aren’t the kind of lawyers who give you a lengthy to-do list. We’re here to take things off your plate, not add to it. We will do everything in our power to make the process as easy and painless as possible for you. We’ve got this.
We can absolutely arrange a meeting or a phone call with a lawyer for you. We have a team dedicated solely to helping find solutions. Our “Client Solutions team” will need to gather some general information from you first, to see how we can be of service. If Litco Law can help, they will get you to the lawyer you need, and that consultation will be free. If we can’t help, we will assist you in finding someone who can. One example of an instance we might not be able to help would be if the issue you are having is in an area of law that we don’t currently practice. See which areas of law we practice above.
At Litco Law, our consultations are always free. You can contact us at any time with an inquiry. That’s where you ask any questions you may have, and we gather some information. From there, we can determine if the legal services we currently offer match your needs. If they don’t, we’ll point you in the right direction. If they do, we can proceed to the next step. Often the next step is a consultation. This is where you sit down with a lawyer and a member of our team and comb through the details of your legal matter. At the end of the consultation, you can decide if you want to hire us or not. All of this occurs at no charge to you. Read more...
One of the things that makes us different is our team approach, which helps us to serve you better. Rather than having one lawyer handling your matter in their own specific style, our lawyers all operate with the same level of care and service outlined in our guiding principles, so you get a consistent quality experience no matter what. And our lawyers aren’t lone rangers - they have a team of legal professionals at the ready, who each contribute special expertise. This helps move your legal matter forward as quickly and efficiently as possible. Of course, we will never rush, but we will also never be the cause of any delays.
A common complaint we’ve heard is, “I can’t get a hold of my lawyer!” We fixed this problem with what we call “The 24/30 Rule”. It means that we’ll get back to you within 24 hours on business days, and you’ll hear from us every 30 days or less. Period.
Once we’ve gone through the consultation process with you, we feel confident that we can match you with the Litco Law lawyer that will serve you best. But in general, when choosing a lawyer, you’ll want to do your research, read reviews, and ask for recommendations. Ultimately when you meet with a potential lawyer we think you should feel heard, comfortable, and informed. Read more...
It is within your rights to change lawyers at any time. If you feel you might want to switch to Litco Law, we can provide a free consultation where you can ask any questions you may have, and then you can make an informed decision. If you don’t want to hire us, no harm, no foul. If you decide to make the switch, we will do everything we can to make the transition as easy and seamless as possible for you. Read more...
Heck yes. You can fire your lawyer at any time. If you feel like your lawyer is not the right fit for you for any reason, you have the right to look for a new one. Read more...
Yes! We have team members who can translate multiple languages. If we don’t have a team member who can help, we will facilitate finding a third-party translator at no cost to you. Read more...
We offer many virtual options. If you don’t see a location serving your area, don’t worry. There are many ways we can still help. Just contact us, and we’ll figure it out.
We’ve heard a rumour that not everyone loves lawyers (we don’t take it personally). So we decided to take a look at some of the reasons why and figure out what we can do differently. Here's how we're doing it: Read more...
Yep, that was us. When Larry and Marianne Litwiniuk founded our organization in 1976, they chose the name Litco Law, and it remained that way for over 40 years. As we built our culture and continued to refine what it means to do legal service differently, we decided to create a new beloved brand that would encompass how we’ve grown and where we’re headed. So we made it shorter and snappier, (and easier to say!) but we kept our roots, both figuratively and literally.
It sure is. Not only should you feel right at home in our offices, your kids should too.
While we love our furry friends, we must be mindful of allergies and the comfort level of all our guests. That’s why we prefer that you only bring service animals into our space. If that doesn’t work (for example, you need your emotional support peacock by your side), remember that we can come to you, and we have virtual options available.
Personal Injury Law
The types of Personal Injury Law we can help with include: Motor Vehicle Accidents Pedestrian Accidents Premises Accidents Slip and Fall Accidents Trip and Fall Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Bicycle Accidents Hit and Run Accidents Fatal Accidents Recreational Vehicle Accidents Vehicle-for-Hire Accidents Bus Accidents E-bike and E-scooter Accidents Commercial Host Liability Read more...
Our goal is to help you find a solution, even if we’re not it. You can always contact us, and if we can’t help you, we can offer alternative recommendations and provide you with any other resources you may need.
The main priority is your health and safety. See a doctor as soon as possible and follow any recommended treatment plan. You can speak with your insurance company, but you have no obligation to speak to anyone else’s insurance company, and we recommend you speak with a lawyer before you go any further. Read more...
A good lawyer knows the ins and outs of laws and the rights they afford you. They can sift through jargon and complicated situations to get you the answers you need. This allows them to go up against powerful entities like insurance companies, so you’ve got a fair shot.
The sooner the better. It never hurts to speak with a lawyer just to know what your options are. We offer free consultations where you can ask any questions you may have, and there’s no obligation to go any further.
We never bill by the hour, and we make sure that before you hire us, you know exactly what to expect. That’s why all our pricing is transparent and upfront. See a breakdown of pricing for each area of law here.
You’ll meet with one of our lawyers and a member of our legal team to go over the details of your case. You can ask any questions you may have, and we’ll gather information. If we can help you, you’ll have the option of hiring us and starting your claim on the spot. But there’s no obligation. Read more...
We hear this a lot, and we get it. But if you’ve been injured because of something someone else did or didn’t do, and you’re suffering because of it, you deserve to receive the necessary treatment, and in some cases further compensation. It’s important to remember that it will often be the other party’s insurance company, not them personally, that will ultimately cover the costs, and that is why we have insurance. So you shouldn’t feel guilty about collecting compensation for your recovery. And you don’t have to go it alone. This is the perfect place for a lawyer to step in and advocate for your rights and level the playing field. That’s what we’re here for. We will deal with the insurance company, so you don’t have to worry about it. Read more...
When we talk about contingency, we are referring to a fee that will be paid for legal services if the case is won. This is based on a percentage of the final settlement that is in line with industry standards. Read more...
As your claim progresses, costs will arise while gathering evidence and anything else needed to settle your claim. These costs are called disbursements. Read more...
While you do not have to pay GST on the money you receive, the Government of Canada requires that GST be paid on fees for any services rendered. So you will pay GST on our service fee only. Read more...
The funds you receive on your personal injury settlement are tax free. You will not have to pay income tax on these funds. Read more...
The percentage fee for our contingency fee practice areas can vary depending on the type of claim or the timelines involved. Our percentage fee is flat and won’t increase over time. Please contact us to discuss the details of your claim,and we can provide more information about our contingency fee.
Put as simply as possible, negligence is the failure to behave with the level of care that an ordinary person would have acted with under the same circumstances. The behaviour can be action or the lack of action. For example, if someone rear-ends you when you’re stopped at a red light, that is likely an act of negligence. This is a simplified explanation of a legal term that can be complex. Please contact us if you have questions.
Any sign of change in your body could be something to pay attention to. And it’s not uncommon for injuries to materialize after a period of thinking everything is just fine. Listen to your body, consult a doctor, and follow any recommended treatment plans. That way if your life does become affected by your injuries, you’ll have a record of what’s been happening. If you aren’t sure whether your injuries warrant a claim or not, you can always contact us and set up a free consultation. Although you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, the sooner you can speak with a lawyer and learn your options, the better.
It is very common for mental health to be affected as a result of an injury, and totally understandable. Different kinds of emotional distress after an accident can include anxiety, depression, changes in mood, or post-traumatic stress disorder.While emotional distress may seem like something that’s difficult to put a price tag on, it can often be compensated through an injury claim.
You should be able to file a claim as long as it’s within two years from the date of the accident. There are certain exceptions where we may be able to help you with your claim even after that two-year mark. Contact us if you’re unsure.
It can take months or even years to fully realize the extent of your injuries. If your injuries are minor or heal quickly, your claim could be complete within a few months. For more serious injuries, it usually takes longer to have a clear picture of the impact of your injuries on your long-term health and ability to work or enjoy life.
Once your file settles and the funds are released, most clients will receive their payment within 2 to 4 weeks of thesettlement date.
There are a few convenient options you can choose from. We can issue you a trust cheque, send the money directly to your bank account via EFT, or wire the payment directly to your account.
Although every case is different, we’ve outlined the general steps and timeline of a personal injury claim here.
There is no quick and easy way to put an exact number on an injury claim. The law takes into account how your injuries have changed your life and affected you personally. In particular, the courts will consider how severe your injuries are and how long they last when determining the amount of compensation you are entitled to. A person who is paralyzed for life would be entitled to more compensation for pain and suffering than someone with a broken wrist. If the person with the broken wrist is a highly-paid professional hockey player who can never play again, the value the courts assign to the injury might not change. That being said, the overall value of the claim would increase because that person’s career and income are significantly impacted as a direct result of the injury.
In short, yes. But the first and most important thing is your health. After an accident, we encourage you to take care of yourself first by getting a medical assessment and collecting information and evidence if you are able. However, we also advise that you contact your insurance company and report the accident as soon as possible. You have no legal obligation to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. Read more...
You have no legal obligation to talk to the other side’s insurance company. If they reach out, don’t feel pressured to comment or settle immediately; you’re perfectly within your rights to wait, speak to a qualified Personal Injury lawyer, and focus on your own well-being.
Without an experienced injury lawyer on your side, you run the risk of receiving a much lower settlement than what you deserve for your pain and suffering. Insurance companies are sometimes quick to offer settlements in the days and weeks following an accident, often before you realize the full extent of your injuries or possible long-term implications from the accident. It is best to speak to your own insurance company right away following an accident. If the insurance company of the at-fault party contacts you, asking for additional information about the accident, you are not obligated to answer their questions. Insurance companies may want to process your claim quickly and for the smallest payout possible. If you have already received an offer, talk with an experienced injury lawyer and get a professional opinion before you agree to anything.
Section B benefits are automatically included in the Alberta Standard Owner’s Automobile Policy. They may provide some coverage for medical treatments, disability, and loss of income due to an accident. These benefits are available to anyone involved in the accident, regardless of who is at fault. Read more...
It’s best to contact a lawyer to answer this question. We offer free consultations. During a consultation, you can ask any questions you may have, and we can gather all the information we need. Then we can offer an opinion on whether it’s in your best interest to proceed with a claim, and you can decide if you want to hire us to do that.
The vast majority of personal injury claims are settled out of court. But in the rare event that you do end up in a courtroom, we’ll be with you every step of the way and we’ll make sure you’re totally prepared.
When you have a personal injury claim with Litco Law, you won’t just get a lawyer, you’ll get your very own team of legal professionals who will be with you throughout the entire process until resolution. We call this team a pod. This group consists of two lawyers, a case manager, a client care specialist, and a legal assistant.
Once your claim has settled the insurance company will forward the settlement funds to our office. It can take between 2- 3 weeks to receive the settlement funds from the insurance company. When we receive the funds, we must deposit them into our trust account and will contact you to book the settlement appointment as soon as possible. Read more...
Beginning in 2004, the government limited or “capped” the compensation (money) that an injured car accident victim can receive for certain minor injuries. The legislation outlining the limit is the Alberta Minor Injury Regulation. Each year, the cap is adjusted for inflation by the Superintendent of Insurance. Read more...
The first thing to know is that “the cap” only applies to certain soft-tissue injuries. From there, knowing whether your claim is capped can depend on several factors, including how long your injury lasts, how severe it is, and how it impacts your life. These elements, combined with a medical opinion from your doctor, must be taken into consideration before a lawyer can take over and figure out whether your claim is capped. In general, many claims are not capped, and it’s very important to see a lawyer to determine what you’re entitled to. Because even if it is capped, there are still other areas that you could claim for. Read more...
Long Term Disability Law
If your disability benefits have stopped, but you and/or your doctor feel you are unable to work, you may have a long termdisability claim. You can contact us any time for a free consultation to help you make this determination. Read more...
Employment Law
Our goal is to help you find a solution, even if we’re not it. You can always contact us, and if we can’t help you, we can offer alternative recommendations and provide you with any other resources you may need.
We provide transparent pricing upfront, and we never bill by the hour. See a list of pricing for all our legal services here.
In Alberta, if you have been terminated without cause, you have rights and options. You can contact us to go over your choices and ask questions. Consultations are always free. Read more...
Many people are unsure what their rights and obligations are when it comes to parental leave. We’ve created a helpful article to assist in navigating this exciting time here. If you still have questions, you can always contact us.
We don’t do WCB appeals or handle claims against the WCB (suing the WCB). That is a very specific area of law. If you have WCB coverage at the time of your accident, we may still be able to help. You can contact us at any time, and if we can’t be of service, we’ll help you find someone who can.
Class Actions
If a person is injured due to someone else’s negligence, we would typically file a personal injury claim. However, when many people are injured, we may choose to pursue legal action through a Class Action or Mass Tort Action lawsuit. Read more...
In a Class Action lawsuit, a single person must step forward as the face of the group of those injured and act as the representative for the case. Mass Tort Action allows an injured person to bring an individual case against a company alongside other people in similar situations, meaning that each claim will be resolved individually. Read more...
InTheKnow
Subscribe to get insider info and all the latest Litco Law news first
COPYRIGHT © 2024 "LITCO LAW" IS A TRADEMARK AND TRADE NAME OF LITWINIUK LLP | Legal & Privacy Policy