Important $8 million hockey injury judgment
Kugler Kandestin has obtained an $8 million judgment in favour of Andrew Zaccardo and his family. Andrew was rendered a tetraplegic as a result of being checked from behind into the boards during a Midget AA hockey game, when he was 16 years old.
By judgment dated February 1, 2016, Quebec Superior Court Justice Daniel Payette ruled that the player who hit Andrew from behind was negligent and committed a civil fault. Justice Payette held that player, as well as his liability insurance company, legally responsible to pay $8 million in damages to the Zaccardo family.
Justice Payette explained that “checking from behind” is not acceptable and is not part of the game of hockey, because it is known that such illegal checks can cause catastrophic injuries. The judgment confirms that participants in sporting activities may be held liable when their negligent conduct causes injury to another player.
This judgment is one of the largest amounts ever awarded in Canada for bodily injuries suffered during a sporting event.
If you have any questions about the judgment, kindly contact Stuart Kugler or Arthur J. Wechsler, who represented the Zaccardo family.
