Dana Romancik
With over seventeen years experience representing defendants and advising insurers, Dana has the expertise to achieve practical and effective solutions to litigated claims. Dana moved to Nelson and formed Kootenay Law after practicing in the area of insurance defence in private practice at a large litigation firm in Vancouver and for a national insurance company. Dana works with her clients to effectively resolve quantum and liability claims at the earliest opportunity.
When she is not enjoying the view of Kootenay Lake from her office, Dana can usually be found exploring the local mountains.
General Background
Representative Experience
General Background
Bar Admissions
• Called to British Columbia Bar in 2004.
• Called to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2011.
Professional Affiliations
• President – Kootenay Bar Association March 2021 to Present
• Member – Canadian Bar Association, including Insurance and Civil Litigation subsections. Previous member of Insurance Subsection Executive Committee.
• Member of Canadian Defence Lawyers.
Education
• Bachelor of Laws, University of Windsor, 2003
• Diploma in Environmental Studies, McGill University, 1996
• Bachelor of Arts- Honours Criminology, University of Windsor, 1995
Representative Experience
- Chase v. The Personal Insurance Company, 2019 BCSC 0936 – dismissal of claim against the Personal Insurance Company on the basis of material misrepresentation.
- Marchi v. City of Nelson, 2019 BCSC 308 – dismissal of personal injury action arising out of a winter sidewalk claim.
- Chirdaris v. School District No. 20 – April 6, 2018, Castlegar Registry – dismissal of personal injury claim arising out of injuries sustained during the course of playing basketball in physical education class.
- Leavitt v. Saanich Parks and Recreation et al (unreported) – dismissal of human rights matter where complaint was filed four days outside of the six-month time limit set out in s. 22 of the Human Rights Code.
- Hsu v. Cornerstone Properties, 2014 BCHRT 38 – dismissal of human rights complaint advanced against a strata and property management company.
- Harris v. Fuhr, unreported, 2014 – Nelson Registry – summary trial dealing with issues of negligent construction, fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, aggravated and punitive damages.
- Brooks-Martin v. Martin, 2011 BCSC 194 – action dismissed at trial regarding allegations of loose material on a roadway causing a motorcyclist to skid and lose control.
- Olchowy v. Tomkulak, 2008 BCSC 1927- 75% apportionment of liability against the plaintiff at trial with respect to a collision with another vehicle in an uncontrolled intersection.
- Anderson v. British Columbia, 2008 BCSC 41 – action dismissed at trial with respect to a plaintiff who was involved in a single motor vehicle accident.
- Aggarwal v. Mangat, Jury (unreported), December 2007 -trial on the issue of damages involving an alleged traumatic brain injury, jury awarded $35,000 in non-pecuniary damages.
- Woodward v. Unum Life Insurance Company et al, 2007 BCSC 1995- obtained an order for a declaration that Rule 68 (the fast-track rule) ceased to apply to the action.
- Moses v. Kim, 2007 BCSC 1388 – trial on the issues of liability and damages with respect to serious orthopaedic injuries suffered by the plaintiff who was walking across a highway when he was struck by a vehicle driven by the defendant. The plaintiff was found 65% responsible for the accident, a decision that was upheld at the Court of Appeal.
Trisha Gomez
Trisha Gomez is a senior Paralegal at Kootenay Law.
Trisha brings over 22 years of expertise to her focus of insurance litigation defence and plaintiff personal injury. She has experience in all aspects of the litigation process including drafting pleadings, analyzing medical and wage loss evidence, instructing experts/investigators and preparing chambers application material.
Trisha has also worked in additional areas of law, including Indian Residential School litigation, family law and criminal defence.