WHAT WE DO
The Lawyers at Smith Thompson Law are highly experienced litigators who offer a broad range of litigation services. Our lawyers are dedicated to seeking out practical solutions to legal problems and strive to provide efficient and cost-effective legal services. We offer free, no obligation, consultations and offer contingency arrangements where we do not collect fees until a settlement is reached.
Smith Thompson Law are leaders in the following areas:
LITIGATION SERVICES
Motor Vehicle Accidents/ Pedestrian Accidents
Accidents involving motor vehicles can result in very serious injuries, even at low speeds. Insurance companies are often quick to reach out to injured motorists to expedite settlements at very low amounts. Thus, it is very important to consult with an experienced lawyer to determine fair compensation for your injuries. It is also important to wait until you know the full extent of your injuries and how they will impact your life before you agree to any settlement amount. The lawyers at Smith Thompson Law have the unique experience of previously working for insurance companies. Having worked both sides, we are well aware of the tactics used by insurance companies to handle claims and are well positioned to advise you on how to ensure you are fully and fairly compensated.
Slip and Fall Claims
In Alberta’s climate, slip and fall accidents occur frequently and can result in very serious injuries. These accidents typically occur in parking lots, outside of businesses or on residential and city sidewalks. The legal issues involved in a slip and fall claim are complex and require specialized legal knowledge and experience to properly navigate. The lawyers at Smith Thompson Law have assisted clients in bringing successful lawsuits for injuries sustained in a fall. If you have experienced injury as a result of a fall, call our lawyers for a free consultation.
Fatalities
When personal injury result in a fatality, the results are tragic. Loved ones need to know that a fatality caused by a wrongful act or negligence can give rise to a legal action. The law recognizes that while money can never compensate for the loss of a family member, it can make up for the loss of financial support and services that the deceased would have provided had they lived.
If you have lost a family member, it is important to consult with a lawyer to determine what compensation you may be entitled to. The Fatal Accidents Act governs damages payable to family members who have suffered a loss. Compensation is available for bereavement, funeral and counseling expenses and loss of household services and income. Our lawyers can help you understand your rights to survivor’s benefits and any concurrent life insurance claims.
Professional Negligence
All professionals can make mistakes. When those mistakes cause you injury or cost you money, that professional’s insurance can respond to compensate you for your loss. Whether it be a mistake made by an accountant, a lawyer, an architect, engineer or other professional offering services, our lawyers can guide you through the process of obtaining fair compensation. Our lawyers have experience both in prosecuting and defending claims against professionals which gives our clients an advantage in navigating the complex legal issues involved in a professional negligence claim. Whether you are seeking compensation against a professional, or a self-insured professional who needs competent, experienced defence counsel, the lawyers at Smith Thompson Law can help.
Medical/Dental Malpractice
Mistakes made in the context of providing medical or dental care can have devastating consequences. These malpractice suits are often complicated, difficult cases which require an assertive lawyer who has experience dealing with medical issues and is not intimidated by the uncompromising position often taken by the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). The lawyers at Smith Thompson Law can guide you through the difficult process of claiming compensation for your injuries. Call us to book a free consultation to determine whether you have a case.
Employment Disputes/ Constructive Dismissal
If you are a long-time employee who has been dismissed without cause, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our experienced lawyers can help you navigate the process of negotiating fair compensation taking into account your experience, age, level of responsibility and availability of alternative employment options. The lawyers at Smith Thompson Law offer contingency fee agreements in some circumstances.
A constructive dismissal occurs when an employer makes significant changes to the terms of the employment relationship or makes the work environment so hostile that the employee has no option but to terminate the employer-employee relationship. A determination of whether there has been a constructive dismissal is a complex and difficult area that requires the careful guidance of an experienced employment lawyer. It is crucial to consult with a lawyer prior to taking any steps to end the work relationship to ensure that actions are not viewed as a resignation rather than a constructive dismissal. We can help you strategically navigate this difficult time and advise you of the available options before making any important decisions with respect to your career.
Smith Thompson Law also works with employers to assess the risks involved in terminating or making changes to an employee’s contract. We can work with the employer to develop policies and employment contracts or interpret existing employment contracts.
Insurance Disputes and Policy Denials
Insurance disputes and policy denials is a very complicated area of law requiring extremely specialized knowledge. These disputes are made more difficult by the stress involved in high-stakes insurance disputes which could have a devastating impact on an individual’s life.
Smith Thompson Law is set apart from other law firms because all of our lawyers have the unique experience of previously working for insurance companies. As former insurance defence lawyers, we have years of experience in understanding how insurance companies make decisions regarding the amount of compensation they are willing to pay, the tactics they use, how they deal with legal issues, and how insurance policies are interpreted and applied by the courts. This knowledge and specialized skill set places Smith Thompson Lawyers at the top of their field in the difficult and complex subject of insurance disputes, making us the best choice for any disagreement in an insurance context. Being able to look at the case from both sides with competent proficiency and familiarity gives our clients a distinct advantage that no other law firm in Alberta can offer.
Furthermore, if you are in a position where you have been sued but do not have an insurance company arranging a lawyer to defend you, Smith Thompson lawyers have the right experience to act as your defence lawyer.
Real Estate Disputes
The purchase of a home or condominium is, for many people, the most important purchase they will ever make in their life. As a result, when something goes wrong, it can be incredibly stressful and financially crippling. Mould, asbestos, water damage, structural failure are just some of the issues that may arise in the purchase or sale of a home. The Lawyers at Smith Thompson Law have experience representing purchasers, sellers and even realtors and home inspectors involved in the sale of property where something goes wrong after the transaction has closed. If you find yourself involved in an unfortunate dispute with respect to a property sale, call for a free consultation.
Contract Disputes
If another party has breached or failed to fulfill their obligations under a contract, it is important to get legal advice on what your rights are under the contract. The lawyers at Smith Thompson Law regularly advise individuals, corporations and small business of their legal rights. Our firm can advise on many types of agreements and disputes, including but not limited to:
- Sales contracts;
- Real estate contracts;
- Contracts for goods and services;
- Commercial lease disputes;
- Employment contracts;
- Construction contracts;
- Failure to repay loans or investments;
- Failure to pay for goods and services;
- Disputes involving construction, repair or renovation; and
- Insurance policy disputes or denials of coverage.
With legal advice, it may be possible to resolve the dispute amicably and quickly without protracted and expensive litigation. The lawyers at Smith Thompson Law are dedicated to finding reasonable solutions for our clients. Some of the legal remedies available for breach of contract include judgments or orders for damages, specific performance or sometimes injunctive relief.
Corporate Collections and Builders’ Liens
Cash flow and managing accounts receivable is critical to the success of a company or business. If a company or individual owes you money, Smith Thompson Law are leaders in corporate collections and debt recovery.
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SOLICITOR SERVICES
Residential and Commercial Real Estate Conveyancing
Smith Thompson Law can assist you in the sale or purchase of a property as well as refinancing. Our knowledgeable lawyers and paralegals can help make technical and stressful transactions seamless.
Wills, Personal Directives and Enduring Powers of Attorney
An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows a person of your choosing to manage your financial and legal affairs in the event you become mentally incapacitated. A Personal Directive is a legal document that provides direction to your family and health care providers as to your wishes when it comes to medical treatment in the event you become mentally incapacitated. These are extremely important documents that if not put in place in advance of your health complications, can unnecessarily burden your family with very expensive and lengthy legal obligations.
The lawyers at Smith Thompson Law can guide you through the process of ensuring you have a Will, a Personal Directive and an Enduring Power of Attorney in place so that you have the peace of mind that your affairs will be taken care of should anything happen to you. Please contact us directly for pricing.