A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has awarded a Vancouver lawyer close to $6 million due to a career-ending accident in which a co-worker fell on her while dancing at a staff party.
According to CBC News, the lawyer blacked-out when the dance floor collision knocked her to the floor during a party at the downtown nightclub. Due to the incident, the woman now suffers debilitating headaches and must spend hours a day in a dark, quiet room. (WCxKit)
Prior to the accident, the mother of two was working at a Vancouver law firm and was considered by her colleagues who testified, as a potential “rainmaker," a lawyer who can bring in new clients.
"The award is based on the fact that the judge found that she was destined to be a very, very successful lawyer," her attorney told CBC News. "As a result of the injuries she suffered … she will never be able to work as a successful lawyer."
It was while dancing with a pair of colleagues during the party in 2001 when the woman’s future changed, according to her lawyer. "One of them lost his balance and fell back, taking her down with him," Murphy stated. "He literally weighed twice as much as she did. She fell backward on to a very hard floor and that's when she suffered her head injury." The co-worker who landed on Danicek admitted he was intoxicated and was liable. (WCxKit)
More than $5 million of the woman’s award goes toward lost wages and potential earnings.
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