Chris Kennedy Accident Update – More Good News
I still haven’t received the full update about how the surgery went yesterday, but he did make it in to surgery. I did get more info about yesterday and I did get a text message from Karen, so here you go…
Patti asked the nurse if there was any way that Chris’ response (opening his eyes) was a nervous system reaction to something or anything else other than recognizing people in the room. The nurse said “No” it was a response to the people there. Chris was opening his eyes a little, but looked really out of it. The nurse went in when she heard that he had opened his eyes and asked him to open them, and he did the same barely open, but open thing, then she yelled a bit at him, not harshly but just to cut through the ‘fog’ in his head and told him to open his eyes up, and he opened them a fair bit more, on command. REALLY COOL!! Oh, and he opened his eyes again last night after the surgery.
We’ve been praying about heart rate and fever… well yesterday he made it into surgery and they found “infectious material” (read puss) around where they had done the original surgery, so they cleaned that out and started giving him the appropriate antibiotics and by this morning his fever was way down and his heart rate is at 79 (almost perfect). So all kinds of questions get answered with that… the fever did not have to do with his brain and/or being able to regulate body temperature, it was just a fever fighting infection. The heart rate was due to a stress that was treatable, so that is good. Good all around.
On the practical side of things, Nina and her dad and Mark have started looking into dealing with ICBC claims, disability compensation, and anything else that might be in place to help with the temporary state of things. This is an area that we need prayer for, for guidance and favour. None of the immediate family has any great experience with any of these issues, so if any of you have had to walk down this road, we invite your ideas, thoughts and comments.
I’ll have another update later today to say how the surgery went.
The List:
- More Praise for the eyes opening
- Praise for the fever being broken
- Praise for the heart rate going down
When we pray for a specific thing and get a specific answer, we give the Glory back to God. - Keep praying for the foot to be completely healed
- Pray for guidance about who to call for disability insurance, claims etc.
- Pray for favour in dealing with them
- Pray for the right contacts, and just to be led through this process
Oh and one more praise request… Patti told me yesterday that she is just amazed at the peace that just rests on Nina and those around. There seems to be just a total non-stop presence of God there, and that she can definitely feel the blanket of prayer over this situation.
April 16th, 2007 @ 9:52 am
This is all awesome news. GOD does answer prayer. We will keep it going!!
April 16th, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Praise God for His faithfullness…continued peace and strength to Nina, Karen,Patti and all those who remain at Chris’s bedside..every minute of every day you are in my prayers.
April 16th, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
Wonderful news!
Please know the “Rubuliak Tribe” is praying for Chris every day as well as for the whole “Kennedy Clan” (especially for Karen, Mark & Nina & Patti).
Prayers & Blessings!!!
April 16th, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
Our God is an Awesome God!!!!
We are all praying, Jon
love and prayers to Chris and family.
love yas
April 16th, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Heh Jon,
Chris should be eligible for “Part 7″ No Fault accident benefits which would include some loss wages, and all treatment/medical/therapy costs not normally covered by BC Medical, like rehab and physio etc. If Chris and Nina had collision and loss of use on the SUV, then that’ll allow for a rental car until the SUV is settled. If the claim hasn’t been reported, call dial a claim to get that started.
As for “general damages” injury awards, it depends on who is at fault. If the police determine that the semi was at fault then Chris will be eligible for a general and special damages award (pain and suffering, cost of future care, out of pocket expenses, cost of future opportunity and loss wages etc) however, those are only payable out of a liability policy belonging to the “at fault” driver, because of that driver’s negligence. One cannot “sue themselves” so if Chris is found at fault, he will not be eligible for any of these awards, other than the Part 7 No Fault accident benefits. They pay 75% of loss wages to a maximum of 300.00 per week (and deduct any other wages Chris might receive from his employer like LTD). If the investigation determines that fault is “split” (say 50/50 or 25/75) then Chris will be eligible for his pro-rata portion of general damages – the part that they did not assess against him – for example, if they decide both parties are at fault, and his injury, loss wages, future care costs, etc is worth, say, 500,000 then he’ll be eligible for 50%.
The RCMP should be forthcoming about fault. Nina has a right to the MVA report and of course, get the ICBC findings in writing. At this stage, the family probably should not waste their money on a lawyer unless there is something they are really concerned about (like a witness saying it’s the semi’s fault and ICBC saying otherwise) … and be equally cautious of lawyers who say “you don’t pay unless you win”…that is absolutely NOT TRUE!!
Feel free to call me if there’s anything I can help you with….
Rena
(your friendly neighbourhood claims adjuster)
April 16th, 2007 @ 9:13 pm
Somehow I heard about all this. Man! I just want you all to know that Chris and your entire family will be in our prayers (Jones’ and Vander Beeks) We love you and miss you…The Lord bless and keep you.
Ness xoxo
April 16th, 2007 @ 10:44 pm
Praise God for the good news about Chris opening his eyes. We will continue to pray for him and for the legal issues – compensation, etc and for Nina and the family.
Love and blessings,
Harry and Mary