Litwiniuk & Company remains open to serve you but due to the COVID-19 virus and current public health recommendations, our offices are closed to the general public and we are available by appointment only. Call (403) 273-8580 to book an appointment or use our contact form to arrange to speak to a lawyer. The safety of our team is paramount to us, followed by the safety of our clients and partners. Learn More
Derek joined Litwiniuk & Company as an Associate Lawyer in 2016 after completing his articles and working as an associate at a national corporate law firm in Calgary. Prior to articling, Derek obtained his Bachelor of Commerce, with Honours, from the University of British Columbia, and thereafter obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Saskatchewan, graduating with Distinction.
Derek has both experience in plaintiff-side personal injury and, previously, insurance defense litigation where he acted on behalf of insurance companies. This has allowed Derek to understand how insurance companies strategize the settlement of claims, which proves advantageous when Derek negotiates on behalf of injured parties to obtain the best possible outcome.
As a lawyer at Litwiniuk & Company, Derek’s practice focuses exclusively in the areas of personal injury, civil litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. Derek has experience with both Alberta and British Columbia accident claims, and is a member of both the Law Society of Alberta and the Law Society of British Columbia. Derek has appeared before the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, the Provincial Court of British Columbia, and the Supreme Court of British Columbia, along with numerous administrative tribunals.
Personal Snapshot
Derek enjoys personal fitness and sports, including basketball, hockey, and golf. When Derek isn’t in the office, he can be found spending too much time managing his fantasy football and basketball leagues.
If you or a loved one has been in a motor vehicle accident or suffered a personal injury, it won’t cost anything to come talk with a lawyer. Simply call our office at (403) 273-8580 to schedule a convenient time to come see us, or use our contact form. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours to set up a meeting to speak with a lawyer.
LITWINIUK & COMPANY UPDATE – COVID-19 – Your safety is important to us.
Litwiniuk & Company remains open to serve you but due to the COVID-19 virus and current public health recommendations, our offices are closed to the general public and we are available by appointment only. Call (403) 273-8580 to book an appointment or use our contact form to arrange to speak to a lawyer. The safety of our team is paramount to us, followed by the safety of our clients and partners.
We know that many of you are concerned about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and we share your concerns. Even though Alberta Health Services currently rates the risk of exposure to COVID-19 as low, we want to be proactive and take effective action to limit the potential spread of the virus.The situation is changing quickly, and we are watching closely.
We are continuing to see clients in person for consultations and other meetings however, at this time, we will be offering phone consultationsfor all new bookings. We will also contact anyone booked for in-person consultations and offer a phone consultation as an alternative.Questionings and mediations will continue as normal so far as it is practical and possible, including practicing social distancing, video and telephone options to protect the safety of our team.Courts remain open, and we will be monitoring the Alberta Courts website for updates. At Litwiniuk & Company, we have many technological options that allow our team to work remotely and continue to meet the needs of our clients. The members of our team are well-prepared to work from home with little to no disruptions to our daily operations.Currently, our office remains open during regular hours by appointment only, and access will only be possible with the assistance of one of our team members. Any updates will be shared on our channels and posted on our website.
We want to share a few key points with you:
·We are committed to following the best and most up-to-date advice and information from the Alberta and Canadian governments about the virus and its effects;
·As of March 12, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed 23 cases of COVID-19 in Alberta. Currently, the risk remains low for Albertans and Canadians. This may change in the coming days and weeks;
·We will have to change our behavior to minimize risk and prevent the spread of the virus;
·We will communicate openly and frequently with you about the situation and our response, as both evolve.
The recommendations from our provincial and federal health agencies are:
·Wash your hands often and well. Proper hand washing is superior to hand sanitizer in illness prevention. Refer to hand-washing guidance here
·Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
·Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched such as taps, fridge handles, doorknobs, and countertops. Clean often and follow the directions for disinfection, which often requires leaving the disinfectant wet on the surface for 4-10 minutes before wiping.
·Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill. The current recommendation is self-isolation: voluntary quarantine in your residence for 14 days.
·Avoid handshakes, hugs, and other close physical contact.
·When sick, cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, dispose of tissues immediately, and then wash your hands. Refer to respiratory etiquette guidance here
·Practice social distancing in crowds and meetings by maintaining a distance of 1 metre (3 feet) between you and others.
·Avoid sharing food and drinks with others.
·If you have travelled to anywhere deemed medium to high risk for COVID-19 (see travel advisories), or if you have been exposed to someone who is potentially ill with the virus, self-isolate for 14 days.
·Contact your primary health provider or Health Link by calling 811 if you have questions or concerns about your health. If you have symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing and have traveled outside Canada or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home and call Health Link 811. If you are ill and think you require testing, do not go to a physician’s office, a health care facility or a lab without consulting Heath Link 811 first. Call 911 if you are seriously ill and need immediate medical attention and inform them that you may have COVID-19.
Please visit the Alberta Health COVID-19 website and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website for the latest and most up-to-date information:
These are proactive measures, and similar procedures have been very successful in Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea in containing the spread of the virus. In those countries, there are encouraging signs that life is getting back to normal. We will get through this challenge by working together, remaining calm, following evidence-based advice and, above all else, staying true to our commitment toyou, the client.
At Litwiniuk & Companywe always want to be a place you can reach out to no matter the situation. If you have any questions or need to reschedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to give our office a call or send us an email.
