Dr. Grypma: ill-considered, tainted

Former orthopedic surgeon Martin Peter Grypma makes a lot for money from ICBC. He appears to have come to BC in 2007, having qualified as a doctor in 1984. He retired from surgical practice in 2010. He manages to eke out his pension by being paid by ICBC. As previously reported here, only money paid directly from ICBC can be searched – payments by ICBC lawyers (which are then reimbursed by ICBC), or payments through “professional witness” companies can’t be searched. So what ICBC reports is typically much less than what a personal injury medical professional earns.

For 2008-2013, ICBC’s Financial Schedules reveal they paid Dr. Grypma $1,502,247.  Did they get their money’s worth?  Here’s what judges have said about him:

White v. Weins, 2015 BCSC 188 (Mr. Justice Truscott):

[263]   I reject the opinions of Dr. Grypma and Dr. Sovio to the contrary that Mr. White’s soft tissue injuries from the motor vehicle accident have been replaced before now by ongoing symptoms of degenerative disc disease.  …

[265]     I found Dr. Chow and Dr. Wickham to both be very good honest witnesses, and I accept their opinions.

Worobetz v. Fooks, 2015 BCSC 150 (Mr. Justice Joyce)

[92]        Dr. Grypma’s opinion that Ms. Worobetz suffered only a mild injury that would have healed completely within a few months is contradicted by the evidence of Ms. Worobetz … which is supported by the evidence of a number of other specialists who have treated Ms. Worobetz and followed her progress over a long period of time.

Khosa v. Kalmatimaleki, 2014 BCSC 2060 (Mr. Justice Saunders)

[81]         … I did not find Dr. Grypma’s opinion or his trial testimony to contribute any meaningful insight into either the nature of Ms. Khosa’s current condition or her prognosis

Sekihara v. Gill, 2013 BCSC 1387 (Madam Justice Watchuck)

161      I agree with the plaintiff’s submissions regarding Dr. Grypma. In his evidence, Dr. Grypma does not appear to have demonstrated an open mind in his examination of and conclusions regarding Ms. Sekihara or to have taken into account the complete medical history.

Devilliers v. McMurchy, 2013 BCSC 730 (Mr. Justice Saunders)

37        Overall I found Dr. Grypma’s evaluation of Ms. De Villiers to be ill-considered and superficial, and I give no weight to his evidence.

 Erickson v. Sibble, 2012 BCSC 1880 (Madam Justice Balance)

217   …. I am concerned that Dr. Grypma’s repeated references to these free-standing labels are intended to carry a disparaging swipe at Ms. Erickson’s credibility by way of innuendo…

 219     … Moreover, in light of his fundamental misconception about the mechanics of that injury, his unsatisfactory analysis of the causation of Ms. Erickson’s post-Accident wrist symptoms and his tainted impartiality, I have no confidence in his opinions across the board, and give them no weight.

It makes one wonder why they hire him so often.

But, maybe he’s a great treating doctor?  Look at ratemds.com and see what others have said.

Once again, I have been unable to find a picture of this ICBC favourite.  If you have one, please email me.