Miller Thomson Provides Pro Bono Support to Canadian Veterans Injured in Afghanistan.

30 octobre 2012

VANCOUVER, October 30, 2012 — Miller Thomson LLP filed
a Notice of Civil Claim in the British Columbia Supreme Court  today to launch a class action law suit on
behalf of members, or former members, of the Canadian Forces who have incurred
injuries during their service in Afghanistan. 

Over the last year Miller Thomson has reviewed numerous individual cases of Canadian
Forces members whose disability benefits under the 2006 New Veterans Charter
are significantly less than previous compensation programs, or the compensation
that is available to other Canadians with analogous injuries.

Lead Miller
Thomson counsel Donald J. Sorochan, QC said “it appears that attempts to
resolve this issue by discussions outside of the Courts have been exhausted;
therefore, to advance and protect the interests of our clients, this matter is
being referred to the Courts.”

In the
legal proceeding, six soldiers who were injured in different types of incidents
in Afghanistan are applying to the Court to act as representative Plaintiffs in
a class action on behalf of others whose claims raise common issues.  The Representative Plaintiffs include
soldiers injured in action, soldiers injured while carrying out duties and a
soldier seriously injured in a training accident that killed a comrade in arms.

Should the
lawsuit be certified by the Court as a class action, Miller Thomson will
provide notice and invite additional Canadian Forces members to join the
classes in the action.

Miller
Thomson is proceeding with this case on a pro bono basis as part of the firm’s
commitment to provide free legal services in matters of great importance and
public interest.  The Equitas Society has
agreed to cover the disbursement costs of this action.

Miller Thomson has a long history
of community involvement. The firm’s formal pro bono program works to identify opportunities to
provide individuals and groups within communities with the legal assistance
they need.

Miller
Thomson’s pro bono services in Western Canada include efforts by Darrell Roberts, QC in
representing members of the Downtown East Side community in the Missing
Women Commission of Inquiry and his litigation of constitutional issues
relating to access to justice which went to the Supreme Court of Canada.  Miller Thomson lawyer Charmaine Panko received
recognition for her efforts to protect the rights of children and youth in
Saskatchewan.

About
Miller Thomson

Miller Thomson LLP is a national
business law firm with more than 470 lawyers working from 11 offices across
Canada. The firm offers a complete range of business law, advocacy and personal
legal services. Miller Thomson works regularly with in-house legal departments
and external counsel world-wide to facilitate cross-border and multinational
transactions and business needs. Miller Thomson offices are located in Vancouver, Calgary,
Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Toronto,
Markham and Montréal. For more
information please visit: www.millerthomson.com

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For more information:

Natalia Williams, National
Marketing and Communications Manager, Miller Thomson LLP,
nwilliams@millerthomson.com

Donald J. Sorochan, QC, Partner, Miller
Thomson LLP | 604-643-1214 | dsorochan@millerthomson.com