The votes were cast, and the rankings are in! We’re proud of this achievement and thankful for this acknowledgement from our colleagues who voted for Correia & Collins.
We Know. We Care.
For 35 years, Correia & Collins has provided injury victims in Saint John and throughout New Brunswick with the knowledge, comfort and care they’ve needed, exactly when they needed it.
We Know. We Care.
For 35 years, Correia & Collins has provided injury victims in Saint John and throughout New Brunswick with the knowledge, comfort and care they’ve needed, exactly when they needed it. We pride ourselves on our knowledge of Personal Injury law, and our daily work is rooted in a passion for protecting the vulnerable.
We know.
Correia & Collins lawyers have been teaching at the Bar Admission course and presenting at Continuing Legal Education conferences for over twenty years. Our lawyers are respected pre-trial and trial counsel with decades of experience.
We care.
Correia & Collins lawyers have helped thousands of victims and their families receive funding for rehabilitation, lost wages, medical care, and pain and suffering. We maintain regular communication with our clients to ensure their concerns are heard, and the results of our client surveys are proof that clients are more than satisfied.
Here, For You.
Correia & Collins was established in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1993 by Christopher M. Correia, QC and Timothy M. Collins, P. Eng.
Here For You
Correia & Collins was established in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1993 by Christopher M. Correia, QC and Timothy M. Collins, P. Eng. After working as colleagues at another local firm, Chris and Tim decided to establish their own firm which would focus exclusively on Personal Injury and Insurance Law. More than 25 years later, Correia & Collins remains a thriving success story.
With extensive experience in Injury and Insurance law, and a proven commitment to excellence, Correia & Collins lawyers provide the highest quality of service for clients.
Areas of Practice
Personal Injury
Construction Litigation
Insurance
Commercial General Liability
Chris Correia
“A deep-seated desire to advocate for others is what has guided my life’s work.”
chris@cclawyers.ca506-648-1707
Meet Chris View ProfileChris Correia
“A deep-seated desire to advocate for others is what has guided my life’s work.”
chris@cclawyers.ca506-648-1707
Meet Chris View ProfileAbout Chris
It was my desire to help others that led me to co-found one of New Brunswick’s first Personal Injury and Insurance litigation firms. Along with my family (and of course, the Habs), advocating for others is my primary passion in life. It’s the reason I remain so attentive to my clients’ needs, and it’s the primary force guiding my daily work. The continued challenge of assembling court cases is simply a bonus.
Education & Credentials
Bachelor of Arts, St. Mary’s University
Bachelor of Laws, Dalhousie University
Admitted to the New Brunswick Bar in 1982.
Appointed King’s Counsel in 2007
Guest speaker on the topics of negligence, insurance and civil procedure at numerous Continuing Legal Education Conferences.
Instructor at the Bar Admission Course (Civil Procedure/Insurance) for several years and wrote a portion of the materials for that course.
Areas of Practice
Personal Injury
Insurance
Mediation Services
Tim Collins
“I realized I could use my unique skill set to do valuable work: helping bring justice to those who deserve it.”
Meet Tim View ProfileTim Collins
“I realized I could use my unique skill set to do valuable work: helping bring justice to those who deserve it.”
Meet Tim View ProfileAbout Tim
I had a hunch I could use my unique skill set to benefit my fellow citizens, and, judging by the many cases I’ve helped win in the time since, my hunch was right. Seeing my clients get the compensation they deserve is for me a source of immense pride, as are my three sons. Oh, and the Boston Red Sox.
Education & Credentials
Bachelor of Engineering, University of New Brunswick
Bachelor of Laws, University of New Brunswick
Admitted to the New Brunswick Bar in 1986.
Member, Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick
Member, Law Society of New Brunswick
Areas of Practice
Personal Injury
Insurance
Environmental Litigation
Construction Litigation
Contact Tim
Dennis Gonzalez
“Representing my clients and obtaining the best results for them is my focus.”
dennis@cclawyers.ca506-648-1709
Meet Dennis View ProfileDennis Gonzalez
“Representing my clients and obtaining the best results for them is my focus.”
dennis@cclawyers.ca506-648-1709
Meet Dennis View ProfileAbout Dennis
It was while working with Tim and Chris as a university student that I first caught the Law bug. Witnessing their enthusiasm and their commitment to clients inspired me to pursue a career helping others. Representing my clients and obtaining the best results for them is my focus. Other than being a husband and father, nothing is more fulfilling to me.
Education & Credentials
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of New Brunswick
Bachelor of Laws, University of New Brunswick Law School
Admitted to the New Brunswick Bar in 2003.
Instructor, Civil Procedure section of the New Brunswick Bar Admission Course.
Areas of Practice
Personal Injury
Insurance
Wills and Estates
Contact Dennis
Kendra Correia
“I’ve come to appreciate the significance of having an effective lawyer for representation.”
kendra@cclawyers.ca506-648-1799
Meet Kendra View ProfileKendra Correia
“I’ve come to appreciate the significance of having an effective lawyer for representation.”
kendra@cclawyers.ca506-648-1799
Meet Kendra View ProfileAbout Kendra
During my time at Correia & Collins, I’ve come to appreciate the significance of having effective legal representation.
A lawyer of value has three attributes: knowledge of the law, the ability to communicate a complex legal system, and compassion for her clients. My commitment is to do my very best to embody these attributes in my legal practice.
Education & Credentials
Bachelor of Arts, St. Thomas University, 2013
Juris Doctor, Dalhousie University, 2019
Admitted to the New Brunswick Bar in 2020
Areas of Practice
Personal Injury / Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
The legal and insurance process can be overwhelming for injury or accident victims and their loved ones. Our team of experienced lawyers has compiled a list of answers to your most commonly asked questions. We hope you find them helpful.
FAQs
Do you provide free consultation?
Yes – your first consultation is free.
What will it cost if I decide to hire a lawyer at Correia & Collins?
Your first consultation is free. If you hire us, we will be paid a percentage of your settlement. You pay nothing out of pocket.
Do you represent clients outside of Saint John?
Yes. As long as you are located in New Brunswick. We will gladly meet at or near your residence, and at no additional cost to you. If a lawsuit is filed, it will be done in the Court office closest to your place of residence.
Why do I need a lawyer to handle my personal injury claim?
An experienced Personal Injury lawyer will ensure that you are fairly compensated.
We have the skill and knowledge to assess the value of your case and to ensure you receive it- whether by negotiation or in court.
Other than car accidents, which types of cases do you handle?
Correia & Collins handles all types of vehicle accidents, including ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles or farm equipment.
We also handle cases involving:
- occupiers’ liability (slip and fall, other injuries suffered on another’s property)
- product liability (ex: defective products)
- long-term disability claims
- fire claims
Do you handle Workers’ Compensation claims?
The only Workers’ Compensation claims we handle are injuries resulting from a work-related motor vehicle accident.
Will my case go to Court?
While our lawyers have extensive courtroom experience, the reality is more than 90% of cases settle out of court. Only after evaluating your case and attempting to negotiate a fair settlement will we consider the option of taking your case to court.
How long will it take to finish my injury case?
This will depend on whether or not you recover fully. If you don’t, your case will be closed once you reach maximum recovery, which could take up to two years. We recommend you contact us so we can provide an informed response based on your specific circumstances.
I was a passenger when injured in a motor vehicle accident. Am I entitled to benefits for loss of income and treatment?
Yes. The benefits available to you are the same as those available to the driver and owner of the vehicle you were in. Our lawyers will help you access those benefits.
I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The at-fault driver had no insurance. Can I still make a claim?
Yes. You will be covered by either an insurance policy or by the Government of New Brunswick Fund. The same applies even in cases where the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
Am I required to use my private health insurance before my auto insurance company will pay for treatment?
Yes. However, Correia & Collins can usually recover that money to restore your private benefits.
Is there a cap on my claim?
The answer depends on your injury/disability.
The New Brunswick cap ($7,500 + inflation) applies to pain and suffering awards for “minor injuries” (soft tissue injuries and a few others).
It does not apply to:
- fractures, concussions and whiplash that causes nerve damage;
- injuries that cause permanent disability; or
- other parts of your claim, such as financial loss (income etc).
We recommend you contact a lawyer at Correia & Collins to get clarification on whether the cap will apply to your injury/disability
Legally Speaking
Our Legally Speaking series offers valuable information on the law in New Brunswick.
Is your seatbelt buckled?
Seat belts are crucial to protecting the safety of you, and other passengers in the event a crash occurs.
Read MoreThe rules that apply to roads and highways also apply in parking lots
Contrary to popular belief, fault for a parking lot accident does not have an automatic liability split.
Read MoreLook out for the symptoms of a concussion
If you or someone you know has been in a motor vehicle accident, it is important that you look out for the symptoms of a concussion
Read MoreLegally Speaking
Is your seatbelt buckled?
Seat belts are crucial to protecting the safety of you, and other passengers in the event a crash occurs.
Read MoreThe rules that apply to roads and highways also apply in parking lots
Contrary to popular belief, fault for a parking lot accident does not have an automatic liability split.
Read MoreLook out for the symptoms of a concussion
If you or someone you know has been in a motor vehicle accident, it is important that you look out for the symptoms of a concussion
Read MoreGet to know No-Fault Benefits
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, you have rights to access medical benefits under an automobile insurance policy. Learn more in this month’s legally speaking.
Read MoreNew Brunswick’s Limitation Period for Personal Injury Claims
In New Brunswick, an individual has two years from the date of incident/accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This does not mean you must settle your claim in that time. Learn more in this month’s Legally Speaking
Read More5 Things to Remember in Case of an Accident
No matter how minor the incident, here are a few important things to remember if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Read MoreChronic pain: a victim’s roadmap following a personal injury.
Chronic pain can result from a variety of injuries, and it can be a challenging outcome for accident victims to endure due to its long duration and often-invisible nature. That’s why it’s important to talk about any pain resulting from an injury—so our lawyers can get victims the proper compensation and treatment they're entitled to.
Read MoreSection D: Navigating Injury Claims When the At-Fault Driver is Uninsured or Unidentified
Accident victims (drivers, passengers or pedestrians) should know that there is coverage to pay their claims against the at-fault driver if the victims are occupants of an insured vehicle or have their own automobile policy.
Read MoreLegally Speaking
Is your seatbelt buckled?
You probably remember being asked this question when you were a child waiting patiently in the backseat of a car for your next adventure to begin. For most of us, wearing our seat belts is automatic anytime we are in a moving vehicle. If it’s not, it should be.
Seat belts are crucial to protecting the safety of you, and other passengers in the event a crash occurs. So much so, the law has recognized for several years now, that a driver or passenger who is not responsible for a collision but suffers injury, will be held responsible to a certain degree for their own injuries.
New Brunswick’s Insurance Act automatically reduces compensation claims by 25% for people who are injured or die in a motor vehicle accident if they failed to properly wear a seat belt at the time of the collision. The only way to rebut the automatic deduction is by proving the failure to wear a seat belt did not contribute to the bodily injury or death – a feat that is rarely successful.
So, next time you gear up for your next adventure remember to ask yourself “is my seatbelt buckled?”
Correia & Collins represents accident and injury victims. Contact us by phone at 506-648-1700 or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Reference: Insurance Act, RSNB 1973, c I-12.
Legally Speaking
The rules that apply to roads and highways also apply in parking lots
Most have been told the popular myth that fault for an automobile accident in a parking lot is always 50/50. However, contrary to popular belief, fault for a parking lot accident does not have an automatic liability split.
In fact, it is important for drivers to know that the rules of the road apply to parking lots just as they do highways. This is why many parking lots are equipped with traffic controls such as stop signs and lanes – they are not designated free-for-alls.
For example, New Brunswick’s Motor Vehicle Act says that a driver who fails to drive without due care and attention in a parking lot commits an offence.
With that said, parking lots can make fault determination more complicated if their designs do not have marked lanes or signage. The way liability is determined for a parking lot automobile accident will largely depend on how that specific accident occurred. Therefore, when driving through a parking lot always be sure to:
• wear your seat belt;
• drive slowly;
• stick to designated lanes (do not drive through marked parking spots);
• respect stop signs and intersections as you would on a main road;
• be attentive to pedestrians – especially small children; and
• check your surroundings to make sure you can back up slowly before reversing out of parking spot.
Correia & Collins represents accident and injury victims. Contact us by phone at 506-648-1700 or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Legally Speaking
Look out for the symptoms of a concussion
In the last decade, you’ve probably noticed hearing a lot more about concussions in relation to sports injuries. In our practice, many of the victims we represent have received concussion and/or post-concussion syndrome diagnoses’ following motor vehicle accidents.
Concussions are the result of the brain shifting within the skull. This can be caused from direct impact to the head, or an acceleration-deceleration injury (whiplash). Concussions can occur without loss of consciousness. The recent growth in the amount of research on concussions (medically known as mild traumatic brain injuries) has been crucial to the diagnosis and treatment of concussions.
The impacts of a concussion and length of treatment varies from person-to-person and is known to impact men and women differently. It’s important to recognize the signs of a concussion to ensure you receive early and proper treatment. Symptoms to look out for include:
– headache
– ringing in ears
– nausea/vomiting
– dizziness/vertigo
– fatigue or drowsiness
– blurry vision and/or sensitivity to light
– memory loss, confusion or feeling “brain fog”
More information on concussions can be found here: https://bit.ly/3jxymsq.
If you or someone you know has been in a motor vehicle accident, it is important that you look out for the symptoms of a concussion. If you are experiencing symptoms that may signal a concussion, be sure to report it as soon as possible to your physician who is trained to investigate, diagnose, and treat.
Correia & Collins represents accident and injury victims. Contact us by phone at 506-648-1700 or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Legally Speaking
Get to know No-Fault Benefits
Many people who are injured in motor vehicle accidents are faced with an overwhelming amount of new medical treatments and expenses. These can include doctor visits, physiotherapy, and massage therapy.
Section B of your insurance policy provides what are called “no-fault benefits” to persons injured in automobile accidents. The medical portion of no-fault benefits includes coverage for treatment such as:
– physiotherapy
– massage therapy
– pain medication
– adaptive aids/reequipment (TENs machine, walking cane, etc)
– mileage for travel to treatments
If you have private health insurance, you are required to process it through private insurance first, and then any remaining cost to your automobile insurance company.
To qualify for the medical coverage, the treatment must be recommended/ordered by a doctor to treat injuries resulting from your motor vehicle accident.
We often receive calls from people injured in car accidents whose car insurance company has refused to pay for medical treatment (especially physiotherapy or massage therapy) even though the family doctor has ordered it.
New Brunswick Courts have been clear that reasonable expenses for those types of treatments are in fact recoverable – regardless of whether the insurer or the insurer’s medical advisor agrees.
The patient also has the right to choose the clinic at which the treatment is received.
If you are having issues getting your insurance company to cover medical expenses recommended by your doctor, we encourage you to contact a lawyer to assist in enforcing your benefits.
Correia & Collins represents accident and injury victims. Contact us by phone at 506-648-1700 or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Legally Speaking
New Brunswick’s Limitation Period for Personal Injury Claims
We’re often contacted by injury victims who are concerned because they have been told there is a two-year anniversary approaching and they need to settle their claim before that date. This is not true.
For injury victims in New Brunswick, there is a “limitation period” of two years to sue the person who caused your injury. This does not mean that a settlement must be reached within two-years from the date your injuries were caused. It simply means you must file a lawsuit in court before the two-year expiry if you have not settled your claim before that time. In other words, you file a lawsuit to preserve your claim.
The best time for settlement depends entirely on the victim and their recovery. For some, settling within two years from the date of incident/accident can be too soon. Settlement should only be pursued when you have reached the end of your recovery – what is commonly referred to as “maximum medical improvement” (MMI). It is important to wait until MMI to be able to have a grasp on what your future is going to look like following your injuries. This can include a variety of costs such as those related to treatment, lost income, retraining expenses etc.
The two-year period is described as a “general” limitation period and applies to personal injuries and car accidents.
For minors, the limitation period does not begin to run until they have reached the age of 19.
If the two-year anniversary of your date of incident/accident falls within the period March 19, 2020 to September 18, 2020, you may have extra time to sue because of an exception created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In New Brunswick, there is no limitation period on civil actions for victims who have been sexually assaulted.
If you’ve been injured and are concerned about a limitation period, we encourage you contact a lawyer to advise you on whether your claim may be barred.
Correia & Collins represents accident and injury victims. Contact us by phone at 506-648-1700 or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Legally Speaking
5 Things to Remember in Case of an Accident
No matter how minor, being in a motor vehicle accident can be an overwhelming event.
Here are a few important things to remember if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident:
- Report to Police
It’s common for people to not want to go through the process of calling the police to an accident scene. However, having the police report to an accident is important for two reasons. First, it results in an official record that the accident happened. Second, the police will identify all parties involved, including getting the registration and insurance information for each vehicle.
Reluctance to call the police is often due to the fear of getting someone in trouble, or not feeling that you may be injured. Often, it is hours to days later when a victim realizes they are experiencing injuries from a motor vehicle accident. Therefore, we always recommend exercising caution and calling the police just in case.
- Exchange Identification
It is helpful for all drivers involved to exchange information such as names and phone numbers. Even better, use your phones to take a photo of each others’ driver’s license to eliminate any room for error.
- Exchange Insurance Information
Following your accident, it is important to know the insurance information of the other driver(s). This is particularly important for reporting the accident to your own company. It will also be useful for you and your legal counsel to know which companies are involved if you decide to pursue legal action.
- Exchange Vehicle / Registration Information
The more information you can share upfront, the better.
Having Vehicle and Registration information helps you better identify the vehicle(s) involved and identifies who the registered owner of the vehicle is.
- Seek Medical Attention
If you are injured at the scene of the accident, be sure to seek medical attention for assessment as soon as possible, either by ambulance and/or hospital.
Seeking medical attention is important to diagnose any injuries and to rule out anything serious you may not identify right away.
Correia & Collins represents accident and injury victims. Contact us by phone at 506-648-1700 or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Legally Speaking
Chronic pain: a victim’s roadmap following a personal injury.
One of the most challenging outcomes for accident victims are injuries that result in chronic pain.
We typically categorize clients as suffering from chronic pain where pain lasts six months or more from the date of injury. When the injury is catastrophic (e.g., loss of limb or severe spinal cord injury), chronic pain is often expected.
However, most other chronic pain victims face two common obstacles for compensation and treatment:
- their pain extends beyond the “typical” recovery period; and
- their disability is “invisible” in that there often is not obvious evidence of disability both to the average person, and on diagnostic testing, such as MRIs.
Helping chronic pain patients requires us to keep in mind that statistics used to establish a “typical” recovery apply to majority of the population, but there are those who fall outside of that grouping.
Those suffering from chronic pain have a range of options for medical treatment including:
- physical treatments (physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, occupational therapy, and kinesiology etc);
- medicinal treatments (various types of injections, nerve blocks, cannabis products etc); and
- psychological treatment including consulting on acceptance and pain management techniques.
Which treatments are explored depends on the individual patient and should be discussed with your medical treatment provider. It is important to know that no-fault benefits (Section B) run out 4 years from the date of a car accident.
Three important things we, as your lawyers, must consider in valuing your claim for compensation as it relates to your chronic pain are:
- Lifestyle – impact on your lifestyle, relationships, and activities.
- Income – whether it has and/or will impact your employment/income.
- Treatment – any ongoing cost of care/treatment.
Your treatment providers, along with your family physician, play important roles in assessing and documenting ongoing suffering from chronic pain and how it impacts your employment, daily activities etc.
In some circumstances, we may use qualified experts outside of your medical team to help assess/prove any degree of pain and disability to ensure fair compensation for income, retraining, and cost of care. This can include physiotherapist examiners, specialist physicians, forensic accountants, and vocational specialists.
Correia & Collins represents accident and injury victims. If you or someone you know is suffering with chronic pain from a personal injury, contact us by phone at (506) 648-1700, or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Legally Speaking
Section D: Navigating Injury Claims When the At-Fault Driver is Uninsured or Unidentified
Although automobile insurance is mandatory in New Brunswick, the sad reality is that many drivers are uninsured.
Further, hit-and-run accidents are common, and the drivers are not always located or identified.
Accident victims (drivers, passengers or pedestrians) should know that there is coverage to pay their claims against the at-fault driver if the victims are occupants of an insured vehicle or have their own automobile policy.
In New Brunswick, your own insurance policy includes “Section D”, which provides for coverage in circumstances where you are injured in a motor vehicle accident and the person who caused the accident:
- Does not have insurance; or
- Left the scene of the accident without being identified.
When it is determined that the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified, Section D coverage is in place to make a claim, having your insurance company assume the role of the at-fault person.
Important things to note about Section D claims:
– It can be accessed under your own automobile insurance policy, even if the accident does not involve your vehicle (i.e. you are a passenger or a pedestrian);
– It can also be accessed by victims who do not have their own automobile policy, but fall under another’s (i.e. belonging to a parent);
– Section D claims will not impact premiums for the policy owner; and
– The maximum recovery that can be obtained under a Section D claim is $200,000.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and are concerned that the person at-fault has no insurance or you are unable to identify them, we encourage you contact a lawyer to advise you on your options.
Correia & Collins represents accident and injury victims. Contact us by phone at 506-648-1700 or online for advice. Your first consultation is free.
Client Reviews
“Correia & Collins are simply the best legal team around. They genuinely work hard for each client and are always here for guidance....”
Edward B.
December, 2021
Read More“Highly recommend Correia & Collins. They made me feel like I was their top priority and kept in contact with me until my accident...”
Craig M.
March, 2022
Read More“I contacted Chris Correia as he came highly recommended to me. I was in an accident and he and Kendra Correia worked very hard. They...”
June I.
April, 2022
Read More
Client Reviews
Edward B.
December, 2021
“Correia & Collins are simply the best legal team around. They genuinely work hard for each client and are always here for guidance. It never mattered when I e-mailed them they always replied promptly with an expertise and professionalism second to none. Whenever I spoke with them they always gave me their full attention and worked very hard on behalf of me to obtain the best result for my case. As a result of my injuries they did a lot of my leg work with a smile and promptness that was awesome! I highly recommend Correia & Collins for all of your legal needs.”
Client Reviews
Craig M.
March, 2022
“Highly recommend Correia & Collins. They made me feel like I was their top priority and kept in contact with me until my accident claim was settled.”
Client Reviews
June I.
April, 2022
“I contacted Chris Correia as he came highly recommended to me. I was in an accident and he and Kendra Correia worked very hard. They were easily reached my email and responded immediately with any concerns or inquires that I had.They both would reach out with any updates.I am very grateful for the work they both did for me.I would highly recommend if you are ever in need of a lawyer(s) to each out to the Correia Team you will not be disappointed.I can not thank them enough.”
tel:506-648-1700
fax:506-648-1701
Mail only
P.O. Box 20074
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2L 5B2
OUR OFFICE LOCATION
(Courier Only)
44 Chipman Hill, Suite 201
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada E2L 2A9


