Profile
“The goal of our team is to protect and pursue the rights of our clients.”
Anastase is a Partner and Leader of the Personal Injury Group at Watson Goepel LLP. He has over 30 years of litigation experience in the area of insurance coverage and personal injury law. He has acted for thousands of clients at all levels of court in British Columbia and has comprehensive trial experience.
Anastase was first recognized in Best Lawyers ® in Canada in 2023 by fellow peers in the area of personal injury lawyer litigation in B.C.
Anastase grew up in Gibsons, BC, and still considers it his home away from home.
He has volunteered for numerous not-for-profit organizations, including the Hellenic Community of Vancouver, Pacific Parklands Foundation, Odd Squad Society, and Gibsons Public Market. Anastase continuously supports community projects in both Vancouver and Gibsons.
Education
- LLB, University of British Columbia, 1990
- B. Com, University of Windsor, 1990
Bar
- Alberta, 2024
- British Columbia, 1991
Representation
Harder V. Handaja, 2022 BCSC 1577
Ratelle v. Barton, 2017 BCSC 1262 – 2017/07/20
A ground breaking decision wherein the plaintiff in the case overtook a vehicle that suddenly turned in front of a motorcyclist on the Whistler highway. The court held the defendant entirely responsible.
Ranahan v. Iron Horse Enterprises & Logistics Inc., 2017 BCSC 759 – 2017/05/08
Award $880,000.
The plaintiff was injured in a serious motorcycle accident. The plaintiff had worked as a logger for almost 40 years, and had suffered a severe blunt injury to the chest amongst numerous other injuries.
The claim sought to quantify the lost earnings of a self-employed logger. His earnings post-accident at times exceeded his pre accident earnings. Notwithstanding, we were successful in proving substantial past and future wage loss damages.
Payne v. Miles, 2013 BCSC 1545 – 2013/08/26
Award $1.630 Million.
The plaintiff, a young female, was brain injured at the age of 17 as a result of a motor vehicle accident. As is typical in brain injury cases, it takes time to determine the full extent and particular nature of any resulting disabilities. Further, people can continue to look and speak normally while still suffering various types of cognitive impairments. In this case, it took over 6 years before the full nature of the plaintiff’s injuries were known and the long term compensation needs could be properly assessed, at which time the matter went to trial. In this case, we were able to establish the estimated loss of income, and the amount of support required to live a fulfilling life. The Award included childcare costs, career counseling, and loss of past and future income.
Peers v. Bodkin Leasing Corporation, 2012 BCSC 271 – 2012/02/23
Award $560,000.
The plaintiff, a 56 year old man, was injured in a motor vehicle accident. Prior to the accident he worked as a boom operator in the logging industry. Initial assessments indicated that his injuries were minor. After we encouraged a referral to a medical legal expert, and a private MRI, it was revealed that there were previously undiagnosed and permanent career ending injuries to his spinal cord. This claim primarily consisted of loss of income and loss of Pension, as the accident rendered the Plaintiff essentially unemployable.
Milliken v. Rowe, 2011 BCSC 1458 – 2011/10/31
Award $230,000.
Injured in a motor vehicle accident, the plaintiff worked full-time as the manager of a pizzeria while caring for her wheelchair bound husband and teenage daughter. Her employer made numerous accommodations to keep her employed despite a serious shoulder injury. Even though she continued to work full-time, we successfully claimed for the loss of capacity to earn income. We also pursued a claim for the reduction in her ability to care for her home and husband.
Kasidoulis v. Russo, 2010 BCSC 978 – 2010/07/13
Award $1.050 million.
The plaintiff, a recent education graduate, had gained an excellent reputation as a kindergarten teacher in her school and in the district, prior to a motor vehicle accident. Her dream was to work full-time in her own classroom. The defendant took the positon that a mother of three was not likely to work full-time. We proved that the plaintiff’s career goals were fully compatible with her responsibilities as a parent, and well within her reach based on her training and teaching ability. Further, we proved that the plaintiff lost the opportunity to fulfill her dream as a result of the accident, and we were able to help her recover the full amount of her financial loss.
Publications and Presentations
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Speaker, “Effective Practice in Mediation,” Personal Injury Conference 2023, CLE BC, October 2023.
- Selected as a speaker in numerous continuing Legal Education courses
Recognition
- Recognized in Best Lawyers ® in Canada 2023 and 2024 in the area of Personal Injury Litigation.
* Practicing through a Professional Law Corporation.
