Biography
I am a personal injury lawyer with over 16 years of experience acting exclusively for injured people. For me the law is a means of protecting vulnerable people and achieving justice. My practice includes helping people deal with serious car accident claims, family compensation, wrongful death, and infant claims.
I’m a skilled trial lawyer and I have also enjoyed success representing clients at mediations and settlement negotiations.
I went to law school after a 13-year career with SkyTrain. During that time, I was also in the volunteer reserves of the Vancouver Police Department (my younger brother is a police officer). While at the VPD, experienced officers I worked with encouraged me to go to law school. By then I was already enrolled in the criminology program at Simon Fraser University. I applied to law school during my 3rd year and was accepted at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto.
After completing my law degree, I returned to Vancouver and articled with a respected litigation firm. My articles included working on insurance defence files. The turning point for me occurred when I was researching case law to support the denial of insurance benefits to catastrophically injured people. My mother had been in a really bad car crash when I was a kid and had fractured her hip. I remember the terrible time she had while she was recovering and the impact her injury had on our family. I also remember the feeling that more could have been done to help her as she fought to regain her life. At that point, I decided insurance defence wasn’t for me and that I wanted to help the victims of car accidents and negligence. Since then, I have focused my practice on helping people to get fair compensation and access to appropriate rehabilitation.
I try to be a friendly, approachable person. I find it very satisfying to talk to people, hear their stories, and find solutions to their issues. I know that the lingo that lawyers use is not second nature for most people, and I make sure my clients understand what legal terms mean and how the process works.
The daughter of hard working immigrants, I am very comfortable dealing with clients of all different ethnicities. Whether you are Indian, Asian, Polish or Caucasian the key is communication in a culturally sensitive, understandable way. I speak Punjabi and understand Hindi which is often helpful when gathering evidence and advising my clients.
I like a challenge and I often see people who’ve been told they don’t have a case – sometimes that’s true, but sometimes it just requires a different approach.
Outside my practice, I care about contributing to a positive, supportive environment for children that is free from poverty, abuse, and racism. I am also a huge sports fan. I admire the discipline and dedication it takes to be a professional athlete and I’m a proud supporter of the Canucks, BC Lion’s, Vancouver Whitecaps, and the Seattle Seahawks.
Education
- LLB, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2001
- Criminology, SFU – completed 3rd year before entering law school
Professional Associations
- Executive Board Member, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia
- Member, American Association of Justice (formerly American Trial Lawyers Association)
Results
Disclaimer: The outcome of every legal proceeding will vary according to the facts and unique circumstances in each individual case. References to successful case results where the lawyers at Murphy Battista LLP have acted for clients are not necessarily a guarantee or indicative of future results.
Raj Dewar and Kevin Hyde were counsel for a 34 –year-old third generation stonemason who sustained injuries to his neck and right shoulder in two motor vehicle collisions. ICBC denied fault for both collisions until 2 days before the start of trial. The Plaintiff proceeded to trial and was awarded compensation for his injuries and losses in the amount of $673,770 plus costs and disbursements. The Plaintiff was also awarded double costs from the time of his formal offer to settle, beating ICBC’s formal offer to settle by over half a million dollars. The oral reasons included damages for $130,000 for pain and suffering, $98,600 for future care, and $395,000 for loss of earning capacity.
Raj Dewar acted for the Plaintiff – a 34 year old administrative assistant – who suffered injuries to her neck and mid-back when she was rear-ended in a collision. ICBC agreed the other driver was at fault and admitted that the injuries the Plaintiff suffered were as a result of the collision. However, ICBC refused the Plaintiff’s offer to settle her claim and forced her to go to trial. At trial, the judge awarded $70,986.35 in compensation for her injuries and double costs against ICBC as the Plaintiff had been prepared to resolve her case for less than what the judge awarded her.
Videos
Part 7 Accident Benefits with Raj Dewar
Resources
PIRC Seminar Series
Community
- Former trustee, Burnaby Hospital Foundation
Testimonials
Storm Emergency5I enjoyed working with Raj; she was far more pleasant to interact with than the experience I had with ICBC when the accident occurred. Though Raj is very busy she was patient and had my best interest in mind. I am grateful she dealt with the case, where I would of not been able.
Jeremy Billan5I highly recommend Raj Dewar at MB. She helped and supported me for many years and was very smart, patient and thorough over the years. Highly recommended.
Luba Fedorova5I had Raj Dewar as my lawyer in my ICBC case, and I was very glad I had Raj on my side. Raj Dewar is a dedicated professional, who worked hard on my case. She is very energetic with strong work ethics, and I would highly recommend her for anyone who is looking for a great presentation and defense.
Nadia Bove5I am so grateful to Raj Dewar. From the start, Raj made sure that I understood every step of what was going on with my case. She is extremely knowledgeable and compassionate. She turned a very stressful situation into a positive experience. Her confidence and humour were so appreciated. I can’t imagine having gone through that experience without her guidance. Excellent lawyer, she is highly recommended!
Kenny Mann5Raj has been my family’s personal injury lawyer for 8 years and she does a wonderful job. Always easy to work with and very competent. I’d highly recommend anyone who’s been in an accident or injured at a work place to hire her.
I am a personal injury lawyer with over 16 years of experience acting exclusively for injured people. For me the law is a means of protecting vulnerable people and achieving justice. My practice includes helping people deal with serious car accident claims, family compensation, wrongful death, and infant claims.