Imagine a child being told their murdered mom was worth only $50,000.
News that some of the families of serial killer Robert Pickton’s victims had settled their lawsuit with Victoria focuses attention once again on B.C.’s inadequate wrongful death law.
The province’s archaic legislation governing the compensation for the loss of loved ones due to other people’s wrongful conduct perpetuates a long-standing injustice.
It would be a massive understatement to say that the time has come for British Columbia to enact a Wrongful Death Act. BCCPD, along with other community partners, are continuing to advocate for a new one to replace the current law that has existed for 162 years.
Children who die as a result of negligence have no value in BC courts. Neither do older people who are no longer working.
Under BC’s Family Compensation Act, their families can sue the negligent party, but likely will be unable to recover the costs of those lawsuits out of potential damage awards.
