Moose-vehicle class-action lawsuit appeal hearing set for January

A legal battle to have people injured in moose-vehicle accidents compensated by the provincial government is going back to court.

An appeal hearing has been set for Wednesday, Jan. 21 in the moose-vehicle class-action lawsuit, St. John's lawyer Ches Crosbie said this weekin a news release.

• Moose class-action lawsuit dismissed, province found not liable

The lawsuit, described by Crosbie as the biggest road injury lawsuit ever, was dismissed by Judge Robert Stack of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in mid-September.

Crosbie will ask a panel of three judges in the Court of Appeal to overturn Stack's decision.

The class-action suit includes more than 100 members.

In his ruling, Stack said the provincial government was not liable for moose-vehicle collisions.

The idea that government does not owe the public a general duty to maintain the highways reasonably safe for travel may surprise many people, Crosbie stated.

The appeal hearing is expected to last one day, and Crosbie expects a decision could take up to six months.