Jim shares how a snowmobile accident in March 1990 resulted in a life-changing brain injury. While snowmobiling with his father and brother during a birthday weekend at his brother’s cottage, poor visibility caused by darkness and heavy fog led to a collision. Jim’s father had stopped on the lake and turned off his snowmobile, causing the headlight to go out. Unable to see him through the fog, Jim collided with the back of the snowmobile. The crash injured the carotid artery on the right side of his neck, causing a blood clot that travelled to his brain. The resulting stroke left the left side of his body paralyzed.
Jim explains that it took time to understand the permanent impact of his injuries. During his recovery, he faced uncertainty about whether he would ever regain the use of his arm or return to his previous job. After initially being told he did not have a legal case and later losing another lawyer who passed away, Jim retained Roger Oatley. He says that from that point forward, he gained confidence that his future was being protected.
Jim credits Roger Oatley and the Oatley Vigmond team with keeping him informed throughout the legal process and helping him secure the compensation he needed after realizing he could not return to his previous career. He says having an experienced team behind him made a lasting difference during his recovery.