Karalyn MacWilliam, Personal Injury Lawyer
Karalyn is a member of the Klein Lawyers personal injury practice group. She manages plaintiff personal injury and medical malpractice cases. With a wealth of trial experience in both Provincial and Supreme Court, she is passionate about helping plaintiffs achieve fair compensation for their injuries. A firm believer in the value of the negotiation process, Karalyn’s practice is to make full efforts at resolving cases while running every case on the assumption that it will eventually proceed to trial. Her strong work ethic and competitive spirit have earned her success in both arenas.
Prior to attending law school, Karalyn achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Alberta. She then completed her law degree at the University of Victoria and was called to the bar in 2010 after articling at a criminal defence firm. She began her legal career as a drug prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada in Surrey, BC before transitioning into personal injury in 2013. She has been with Klein Lawyers since 2015.
As each individual is unique, Karalyn works hard to ensure a full understanding of how injuries have affected each of her clients’ lives and is committed to presenting the full picture on their behalf.
Practice Areas
- Personal Injury Claims
- Trip & Fall Claims
- Medical Malpractice
Education
- LL.B., University of Victoria, May 2009
- B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science, University of Alberta, May 2006
Bar Membership
- British Columbia, 2010
Work Experience
- Associate Lawyer, Klein Lawyers
- Associate Lawyer, Spraggs & Company Law Corporation
- Associate Lawyer, Murchison Thomson & Clarke (Agents for the PPSC)
- Articled Student, Carr Buchan and Company
Professional Affiliations
Selected Decisions
- Gleason v. Yoon – Plaintiff was a 49-year-old woman who suffers from thoracic outlet syndrome as a result of her 2010 accident. She only missed a half day of work from her job at Value Village, and continued to work her way up in the company after the accident, eventually becoming the manager of a store. She was well-regarded by her employer, and continually earned positive annual reviews. ICBC’s offer prior to trial was $75,000. They refused to acknowledge a loss of earning capacity, as she had continued to work and continued to advance with the company. Mr. Justice Cohen awarded a total of $150,000 at trial, including $55,000 for loss of earning capacity and $75,000 for non-pecuniary damages.
- Jiwani v. Borodi – Plaintiff was a 52-year old man who was involved in four separate accidents, resulting in lingering soft tissue injuries five years later. The pain affected his mood, his ability to sleep, and his disposition. He claimed that the loss of his job as a car salesman had been caused by the accident, due to his general malaise and lack of motivation, which he contended were caused by pain from his injuries. The defendant argued that the loss of his job had been caused by factors unconnected to the accident, such as the Plaintiff’s age and level of success in life. Mr. Justice Sigurdson awarded the Plaintiff $109,000, including $65,000 for pain and suffering and $40,000 for past income loss.
Volunteer and Recreational Activities
- Competitive master’s springboard and platform diver
- Marathon runner
- Volunteer Official for BC Diving
- Pro Bono volunteer for Animal Justic
- Community Volunteer for Tri-Cities Youth Court and Family Justice Committee (2014)
- Volunteer for International Institute for Child Rights and Development (2009)
- Volunteer for Pro Bono Students Canada, worked on several projects throughout law school (2006-2009)
