Pacific Coast Brain Injury Conference (day 2)

The second day of the conference was great. I attended a lively session on "Capacity". Interestingly, the presenter, a well known vancouver lawyer, delivered a rather technical presentation on various sections of legislation impacting rights of individuals. However, the audience, that had many brain injury survivors and family members, had very real questions.
These questions really highlighted the strength of this conference because it puts everyone in the same room, which can be a catalyst for change:

* service providers
* survivors and family members
* lawyers
* specialists
* researchers
* advocates

At the conference I met two fabulous people, an Educational Consultant and a woman who is a mother of a child with a brain injury who is a tremendous advocate. I hope to maintain a relationship with these two individuals because they have the ability to make positive changes for my clients. They are also wonderful, energetic people who I have lots to learn from.

I was talking to a physio therapist from Ontario who commented that she sees lawyers as a key element in a patients rehabilitation team. It warms my heart to hear that as many people in the medical field, typically family doctors, have substantial resentment towards lawyers (I suppose it isn't surprising considering the general attitude towards lawyers).

I entirely agree that we, lawyers acting for victims of car accidents, can be a strong asset in the rehabilitation of the client. If a doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist, Occupational therapist calls me, I put everything aside an talk to them. Typically, they are seeking funding for some program and the lines of communication are down with the clients first party insurer. However, I often pay for a medical legal report from a specialist or get an MRI out of my own pocket (or rather my firm's trust account) just to get a diagnosis and get it into the hands of the family doctor or care providers.

I firmly believe that we as lawyers have to do a better job convincing doctors that our goal as our client's advocate is to minimize his or her losses (yes document them and collect evidence of his or her deficits).

It seems obvious really! Clients will be happier with their life and with us if we can help in any way to minimize the harm. So our first goal to help the client build a better life. It is too bad that these lines of communication between lawyers and many health care providers are broken.

I have no delusions that I can change the attitute generally, but hopefully if I maintain a committment towards building a better life for my clients then some doctors may change their attitude toward me personally.

Anyone who knows someone with a brain injury should consider visiting the conference website:

www.pcbic.org