Personal Injury Resource Centre, Sponsored by Murphy Battista LLP
The PIRC: A Free Community Resource for Injured People and their Families
At Murphy Battista LLP, we take an active role in helping our clients get their lives back. With over 36 years of experience working with thousands of clients who have been in serious accidents, we know that injuries cause significant consequences for individuals and their families that go far beyond physical and financial challenges. We do everything we can to anticipate and meet our clients’ needs in areas that do not directly relate to their legal claims.
The Personal Injury Resource Centre sponsored by Murphy Battista LLP (the “Centre”) was developed to support our clients and their families while we deal with their complex legal issues.
In keeping with our commitment to the community, our services are also available for free to anyone we can help – especially those who are not fortunate enough to be able to seek damages for their injuries.
The Centre intentionally employs people who have had spinal cord injuries because they understand what clients go through and are well equipped to assess client needs at each stage of the recovery process. Our resource co-ordinators are professional, energetic and solution-minded individuals who have a genuine desire to help.
PIRC Typical Hours of Operation
Mondays – Fridays: 12:30pm to 6pm
Saturdays: 1pm to 5pm
Sundays and Holidays: Closed
Hours sometimes vary, so if you are making a special trip to visit us, please call 604-558-1954 or email to confirm your visit so that we can make sure we are available to assist you.
How the PIRC Can Serve You
The PIRC is a consumer driven resource. The services provided are based on what our clients tell us they need. This ranges from concrete goals, such as assistance with housing and job searches, to simply dropping in for a chat. No problem is too big or small. If we can’t help you directly, we will do our best to locate the resources that you need.
We also provide regular seminars on issues of interest to persons with disabilities including: adaptive housing, financial and estate planning, insurance issues, human rights matters, and personal injury litigation.
Free Legal Advice Clinics (Third Friday of Each Month)
On the third Friday of each month, Murphy Battista LLP offers a free Legal Advice Clinic at the Centre. The Clinic is available to anyone who wants to sit down with a lawyer and obtain professional legal advice.
Appointments for the Clinic are scheduled between 2:00pm and 6:00pm on a first come, first serve basis.
To schedule an appointment, please fill out and submit our online Question Form. A representative from the Centre will call or e-mail you to confirm a time.
Knowledge is power, and we believe that providing educational opportunities is invaluable whether a person has sustained an injury or has a general legal question. Please contact the Personal Injury Resource Centre for more information.
Insights
Wheeling in the great outdoors – tips for keep it “wheely” safe
July 10, 2019
While the end of June marked the start of summer, it also began silly season for wheelchair users who navigate seas of pedestrians, vehicles and other hazards. Indeed, it’s not uncommon to see close calls between wheelchairs and sets of able-bodied shins. And wheelchair users are particularly vulnerable. Distraction and…
Continue ReadingConnecTra Workshop – Adaptive Recreation
June 7, 2019
Keeping active can be difficult with an injury. But fortunately there are many adaptive options you can take advantage of to get you outside and enjoying the beauty that is Vancouver. ConnecTra is hosting an interactive workshop about adaptive recreation on June 11th, from 2-4pm at the Creekside Community Centre,…
Continue ReadingHow I Got My Identity Back
March 1, 2019
In honour of Music Therapy Awareness Month, I wanted to share my story of how music helped me get my identity back. Picture a little girl in a frilly blue dress, singing dramatically alongside a TV flickering with images of Disney’s 1987 classic, The Little Mermaid. Right now she’s belting…
Continue ReadingTips for Travelling with a Spinal Cord Injury
January 8, 2019
With the holiday season behind us, and several months to go with the winter weather many people take this time to get outta dodge and find some sunshine! Here are some of my personal observations and suggestions for travelling with a disability. 1 – Prescription medication — Don’t pack it…
Continue ReadingCannabis: Can it Help Those With Spinal Cord Injuries?
November 2, 2018
O Canaba, our home we grow 4 plants, True patriot buds, in one household one grand, grams. With growing large, we see them rise, Skunk, dank, green, grass, weed. From far and wide O Canaba, we stand on guard for trees. Gods keep our land, free of mold and mites.…
Continue ReadingThrive for Mental Health – A Vancouver Resident Bursary for Leisure Activity
October 10, 2018
One wonderful train of thought threading its way through our community is the understanding and awareness of mental health; how essential it is to destigmatize and to take care of ourselves when it comes to mental health issues. In homage to this social shift, and in recognition of World Mental Health…
Continue ReadingThe Fuel Tax Refund and Disability Tax Credit
October 3, 2018
Tax season has a way of sneaking up on you. While most people find doing their taxes about as enjoyable as a root canal, in and among all that paperwork, there may be some extra dollar bills that you can claim. Two options available to those with a disability are…
Continue Reading[email protected]: Beating the Disability Barriers in Our Jobs
September 25, 2018
One thing I’ve noticed in my ten years of having a spinal cord injury is that there are a surprising number of resources that come and go that I have no idea about. Even as a Resource Coordinator, a mid-point where knowledge passes through, I don’t hear about everything. A…
Continue ReadingThe Western Canadian Wheely Open: A Resounding Success!
August 30, 2018
This past month of August was one for the record books. From the sauna like conditions of the extreme heat and dryness, to the numerous wildfires as a result, August 2018 will be one we will not forget. This can also be said for the first ever wheelchair floorball-hockey tournament…
Continue ReadingWestern Canadian Wheely Open 2018
July 25, 2018
August 18th and 19th 2018 will mark the first ever wheelchair floorball-hockey tournament played on Canadian soil, or on Canadian floor to be more precise. The gymnasium at Trinity Western University in Langley will host these games and will be home to visitors from as far as Austria who will…
Continue ReadingScotiabank Half-Marathon Charity Challenge in Support of Spinal Cord Injury BC
June 21, 2018
It is hard to believe this weekend on June 24th marks the 20th anniversary of the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon, it also hard to believe 1998 was 20 years ago. This year marks the 4th time that I will be participating in this particular race. But for me, it is much more than a…
Continue ReadingNational Sledge Hockey Championship 2018
June 21, 2018
The BC Provincial Sledge Hockey team played in the 3rd annual National Sledge Hockey Championship held at the Richmond Olympic Oval this year. The tournament took place May 11-13 and played host to incredible action from four of the top teams from across the country, including two-time defending champs Alberta,…
Continue ReadingImportance of Fitness for the Spinal Cord Injury Community
November 30, 2017
It is no secret that being physically active is important, but this is of the utmost importance for those living with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). People living with SCI are more prone to health risks such as blood clots and obesity, which could lead to more complex cardiovascular diseases.…
Continue ReadingFeds Consulting with Public Over new Disability Legislation Development
November 23, 2016
The 24th annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities is Dec. 3, and Canada’s first federal Minister for Persons with Disabilities is fittingly out on Main Street and in the media promoting public consultation about developing landmark disability legislation. Carla Qualtrough was charged to create a “Canadians with Disabilities Act”…
Continue ReadingAdaptive Paddle Boarding with Access Revolution
August 10, 2016
If the more extreme, adrenaline pulsing, water-skiing adventure isn’t what you’re in the mood for, paddle boarding is a beautiful way to enjoy lakes and calm oceans in a soothing, almost meditative way. Fresh air, calm waters, gentle movement: the combination is a zen-like endorphin bath. On what was a…
Continue ReadingGame Day with Kyle at the Personal Injury Resource Centre
July 26, 2016
On Sunday July 31st, we are screening the Whitecaps FC vs FC Dallas game, with refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages on hand at Murphy Battista’s Personal Injury Resource Centre (PIRC). Hosted by Kyle Gieni, one of PIRC’s newest Resource Coordinators. Feel free to stop by, relax, and enjoy the soccer game…
Continue ReadingSledge Hockey Showdown
November 16, 2015
After 6 years of hosting successful sledge hockey tournaments for community members, Sportability BC will team up with the Surrey Sport and Recreation Centre to host another great opportunity for businesses and community partners to play in the 7th Annual Sledge Hockey Showdown. Every year, the Showdown brings over 100…
Continue Reading“Changing Minds, Changing Lives” – Encouraging Involvement in Disabled Sports
April 22, 2015
National Women’s Sledge Hockey Captain, Peggy Assinck, and ten year National Wheelchair Rugby veteran, Trevor Hirschfield, recently shared their stories and broke down barriers regarding disabled sports in Canada. Changing Minds, Changing Lives is a program that educates healthcare professionals, students, and community groups on the benefits of sports and…
Continue ReadingGirl Talk: Inspirational videos and attitude…Phoenix Attitude
November 19, 2014
At the November 5th meeting of Girl Talk we enjoyed another evening of easy chats and laughter sparked by watching some inspirational videos that really helped bolster our spirits. If you’d like to check out for yourself one of the videos we watched, this is a TED Talk by an…
Continue ReadingWalk n’ Roll for Spinal Cord Injury BC at the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, June 22, 2014
June 6, 2014
Murphy Battista LLP is proud to be a backer of Spinal Cord Injury BC’s Peer Support Program. As part of their fundraising activities for spinal cord injury resources, Spinal Cord Injury BC is once again participating in Scotiabank’s Charity Challenge, this time as a featured charity! Click picture to view…
Continue ReadingPersonal Injury Resource Centre: Girl Talk. That “Aha! Moment”
May 1, 2014
Last month I attended the monthly “Girl Talk” gathering at the Personal Injury Resource Centre. “Girl Talk” is a women’s empowerment group for women (17+) who live with a personal injury. There’s nothing quite like that feeling when you gasp out, “Ah! You, too???” I still remember when I was…
Continue Reading“Girl Talk”: Women’s Networking Event, April 9, 2014
April 8, 2014
At Murphy Battista LLP we recognize the value of sharing information and building strong networks as necessary supports for getting your life back after a catastrophic injury. To this end the firm sponsors a Personal Injury Resource Centre located adjacent to G.F. Strong. The Centre operates as an information clearinghouse…
Continue ReadingPIRC Events Calendar
