Hanada v British Columbia Electric Railway Co.

Hanada v British Columbia Electric Railway Co.

Katsumi Hanada and Yoshio Hanada v British Columbia Electric Railway Company Limited, [1939] 54 BCR 118
This case assigns blame for an accident that cost a “Japanese girl” of three years of age her leg. The driver of the street car that struck her was deemed responsible in the original trial, and damages of $15,000 were awarded. An appeal was raised, with C.L. McAlpine and W.A. Riddell representing the appellant, J.R. Nicholson and K.L. Yule the respondent. Chief Justice Martin allowed the appeal in part. He and Justice O’Halloran concurred that the damages should be reduced to $10,000. Justice M.A. Macdonald dissented, recommending dismissal. It is interesting to note that both Macdonald’s and Martin’s comments refer to Funk v Pinkerton (unreported), a case wherein a 62 year old man received $19,130 after an accident left him partially paralyzed. Macdonald insisted that, given the award granted in that case, it “cannot consistently be said that $15,000 is excessive” (123) in the case of “a child of parents in moderate circumstances permanently disabled by the loss of a limb.” (122)
Plaintiffs
Defendants
British Columbia Electric Railway Co
Appellants
British Columbia
Respondents
Judges

Metadata

Title

Hanada v British Columbia Electric Railway Co.

Credits

Researcher: Monique F. Ulysses
Researcher: Lauren Chalaturnyk
Metadata author: Connell Parish
Metadata author: Gordon Lyall
Publication Information: See Terms of Use for publication and licensing information.
Source: British Columbia Court of Appeal. British Columbia Reports. 1939.

Terminology

Readers of these historical materials will encounter derogatory references to Japanese Canadians and euphemisms used to obscure the intent and impacts of the internment and dispossession. While these are important realities of the history, the Landscapes of Injustice Research Collective urges users to carefully consider their own terminological choices in writing and speaking about this topic today as we confront past injustice. See our statement on terminology, and related sources here.