Lethbridge Law Firm - Indian Residential School, Independent Assessment Process, IAP

Lethbridge

704 - 6th Avenue S.

Lethbridge, Alberta
T1J 0Z5

ph.(403) 329-4311
fax.(403) 329-4343

Raymond

52 Broadway N.
PO Box 259

Raymond, Alberta
T0K 2S0

ph.(403) 752-4800
fax.(403) 752-4815

Indian Residential Schools Independent Assessment Process (IAP)

Read our Frequently Asked Questions

Letourneau Law has assisted a large number of clients going through the Indian Residential Schools Independent Assessment Process (IAP). The IAP is a secondary part of the recent settlement process dealing with those who attended Residential School. The IAP is not the Common Experience Payment, which was paid out to all attendees of Residential Schools in Canada. The IAP is a process that deals with those attendees of Residential School who were physically or sexually abused while at Residential School.

This IAP provides additional compensation to individuals who can establish specific abuses at residential schools above and beyond those covered by the CEP (Common Experience Program). Compensation is available for sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, and certain other wrongful acts which caused serious psychological consequences for the individual.

You may have your abuse claim considered in the IAP:
- if you are a former resident of an Indian Residential School and you did not opt-out of the settlement agreement which created this IAP; or
- if you are not a former resident, but were abused after being permitted on the premises of an Indian Residential School by a staff member to take part in an authorized activity and you were under 21 years of age at the time of the abuse; and provided that, in either circumstance, you have not already been compensated for your abuse
claim or it was not dismissed at a trial.

Legal costs

If you decide to hire a lawyer to represent you throughout the entire process, and you are successful in being awarded compensation by the decision-maker, the government will assist you with your legal bill by adding 15% to your award to help you pay your lawyer. This is on top of the compensation you are entitled to for wrongs you suffered. You will be responsible for paying any additional amount if you have agreed to pay your lawyer more than 15%.

As well as legal costs, you or your lawyer will be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses that have been spent in order to participate in this process. In discussion with you or your lawyer, reasonable and necessary amounts will be assessed. If you or your lawyer disagree with the amount, an independent decision-maker will determine the amount. You will have to provide receipts for your expenses to have them paid in this
process.

Please call us to make an appointment to discuss your IAP application. Letourneau Law will help you all the way through the application and hearing process, and will ensure that you are treated in a dignified manner throughout. We will make sure that your application is put forward in the best way possible, and that you receive the best award possible for your situation.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions regarding the IAP.