bellingham personal injury lawyer Tag

Is There a Time Limit on Personal Injury Claims?

A “personal injury” is a legal term typically used in civil court settings to refer to any type of injury including physical, financial, or psychological that affects an individual. When a person or group of people experiences a personal injury because of the intentional, negligent, or reckless behavior of another, a personal injury claim may be an appropriate way to recover damages. Is there a time limit on personal injury claims? Yes, every state has a time limit on the amount of time an injured person has to seek compensation for their injuries through a personal injury claim. Some states are more generous than others with time limits ranging from one to six years.

(more…)

Product Recall: 2 million Air Fryers Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

How Duty of Care affects Negligence Claims

Is Swimming with Sharks Safer than Working with a Lawyer?

Sharks and lawyers both have some negative associations. Many fear swimming with sharks as much as they do working with a lawyer and there are plenty of reasons to fear sharks even though they rarely go after humans. Still, there are opportunities to swim and snorkel with sharks all over the world, and most sharks are safe to swim with under the right conditions.

Are lawyers really sharks? Lawyers have a reputation for being sharks: sharp teeth, bloodthirsty, and dangerous. The truth is that bad lawyers give good lawyers a bad name and the shark stereotype is just one of many that needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

(more…)

What’s the Difference Between a Verdict and a Settlement?

When a person is injured because of the negligence of another, they may seek compensation for their losses (damages) through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. This compensation can come in the form of a verdict, or more commonly, an out-of-court settlement. The difference between a verdict and a settlement is that a verdict is decided in court and a settlement is an agreement between the plaintiff and defendant outside of court. Personal injury lawyers work hard to negotiate a favorable settlement for their clients because it is usually in everyone’s best interest to avoid a trial. When a fair settlement cannot be reached, personal injury attorneys represent their clients in court to fight for a verdict by trial.

(more…)

How to Protect Yourself from Violent Crime Committed by Strangers

While we shouldn’t sit around worrying about being the potential victim of violent crime committed by strangers, it’s also a good idea to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Here are some examples of violence committed by strangers:

• Aggravated assault
• Mugging
• Sexual violence / rape
• Armed robbery
• School shootings, workplace shootings, and other mass shootings
• Homicide

(more…)

Personal Injury Terms for Understanding Your Personal Injury Claim

If you have been injured in an accident or by other circumstance because of the fault of another, you may be able to recover damages through a personal injury settlement. We understand that some of the terms used in personal injury law are not part of regular conversation. Read on to learn some basic personal injury terms that may help you better understand your personal injury claim.

Personal Injury Terms for Understanding Your Personal Injury Claim

Here are some useful terms for understanding your personal injury claim:

(more…)

6 Types of Catastrophic Injuries

When someone is seriously injured in a way that affects their ability to function the way they did before the accident, they may have experienced a catastrophic injury. In addition to the potential for a lifetime of pain and suffering, a catastrophic injury can prevent the victim from earning a living or becoming a parent because of permanent disability or impairment. In most cases, catastrophic injuries require extensive medical treatments, rehabilitation, and surgeries.

If your life has been turned upside down due to a catastrophic injury because of the negligence of another, seek the help of a personal injury lawyer. The injury attorney will discuss your legal rights and evaluate the circumstances of your case to determine next steps.

(more…)

Top 5 Reasons Insurance Companies Lowball Insurance Settlement Offers

If there is one thing you need to know about insurance companies it’s that they aren’t in business to pay out fair settlements. Their priority is their bottom line, not their clients and certainly not the person injured by one of their clients. If you were injured because of the negligence of another such as in a car accident, you likely received a call from the at-fault insurer shortly after the accident claim, to ask questions that will benefit them and/or to make a lowball settlement offer. It is important to seek legal guidance from a personal injury lawyer before speaking to an insurance adjuster and definitely before accepting an insurance settlement offer.

(more…)

Avoid Slip & Fall Accidents in Wet Weather

We are transitioning from winter to spring and in the Pacific Northwest that means many days with wet roads and sidewalks. Wet surfaces are often slippery, which can dramatically increase the risk for a slip and fall accident. Simple preventative measures by walkers and property owners can help reduce the chances of a serious slip and fall injury.

Every year, thousands of Americans are the victim of a slip and fall accident, often through no fault of their own. When a fall and subsequent injury happens because of the negligence of another, the best thing to do is contact a slip and fall attorney to discuss your legal rights. For example, if you walked into a store with sopping wet floors that had no sign warning about the slippery surface, you may have a slip and fall claim. Your attorney will go over the details of your accident and let you know the best way to proceed.

(more…)