One of Atlantic Canada’s most experienced birth injury litigators, John McKiggan is one of the founding members of the Birth Injury Lawyers Alliance of Canada. John dedicates his practice exclusively to representing persons who have suffered serious injury or loss as a result of medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, or institutional wrongdoing.
John has represented clients in pediatric and adult injury claims that have resulted in multi-million dollar awards. In recognition of his accomplishments, John has been honoured by his peers, who elected him president of the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association. He has also been named Queen’s Counsel, a designation recognizing exceptional professional merit. John has been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in Canada in the field of personal injury law, he is listed in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and has been named a local litigation star by Benchmark Litigation Canada.
The author of numerous publications and articles that serve as legal education resources, he has also lectured extensively throughout the world about personal injury claims and medical malpractice. Among his books are The Consumer’s Guide to Medical Malpractice Claims in Canada and Brain Matter: The Survivor’s Guide to Brain Injury Claims.
John also has a special interest in representing victims in civil claims seeking compensation for childhood sexual abuse. John was class counsel in Martin v. Lahey, a $15 million class action against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish seeking compensation for survivors of sexual abuse by priests. As a result of the landmark decision in the case, John was featured on the cover of Canadian Lawyer magazine. As well, John is class counsel in Hayes v City of Saint John, a class action against the city of Saint John New Brunswick on behalf of more than one hundred victims of sexual abuse by a former Saint John police officer and city employee.
John received his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Law degrees from Dalhousie University. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society, the Canadian Bar Association, the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice.
Active in the community, he volunteers as a spokesperson for of Kids and Cars Canada, devotes time to the Brain Injury Association of Canada, and does presentations to teens about the dangers of distracted driving.
