Major Awareness Event in Vancouver on September 25

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 19, 2011) - Family members of wrongful-death victims will gather in downtown Vancouver this Sunday, September 25, at 2:00 pm to renew their call for a Wrongful Death Act in British Columbia.

The event will include speeches from two family representatives of the Wrongful Death Law Reform Group (WDLRG), Beatrice Pereira and Catherine Adamson. Beatrice lost her mom (Theresa) as a result of medical malpractice. Catherine lost her daughter (Heidi) because of medical malpractice that ensued after she was struck by a vehicle.

Their stories are two of the four described in an anthology found at the following link: http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/campaigns/wrongfuldeath.htm

Both Beatrice and Catherine are among the core members of the WDLRG, an organization that was created in 2005 due to the dire need for new legislation in BC.

The families and their supporters will gather to raise awareness about the need for new legislation.

WHEN: Sunday, September 25 at 2:00 pm

WHERE: Robson Street – backsteps of the Vancouver Art Gallery

For the past six years, the families have been working in concert with other organizations to bring about a Wrongful Death Act, to ensure the lives of children, seniors and the disabled are no longer worthless in the eyes of the law. The existing law in BC only recognizes the financial losses of income-earners, rather than taking into account the loss of companionship, care, guidance and other forms of loss that occur after innocent people are killed due to the reckless, negligent actions of others.

The WDLRG, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, Trial Lawyers Association of BC and Coalition Against No-Fault are original partners in this campaign, and more than 100 other organizations signed on in support of their initial recommendations. Subsequently, this summer (2011), the people involved created draft legislation entitled the Wrongful Death Accountability Act. The document provides a comprehensive solution to the weak and unfair law in place at present, the Family Compensation Act – legislation that originated in the United Kingdom 165 years ago.

Note: WDLRG representatives are available for pre-event interviews/appearances.

To view the flyer associated with this press release, please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/law919.pdf