Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Lawsuits; Who Might Have A Case And Where To Start!

Personal injury lawsuits are filed by people (or their representatives) injured due to the negligence of someone else. The injury may be either physical or emotional, and it can arise from a variety of sources or types of conduct. Some of the most common types of personal injury cases include slip and fall, automobile accidents, assaults and battery, medical malpractice, and product liability. In general, the goal of a personal injury action is to determine who was responsible and to compel the responsible party to compensate the injured person for the losses sustained. If you or someone you know has been injured by the careless actions of another, contact a personal injury attorney at The Walthew Law Firm in Seattle, WA, at once to find out how we can help you preserve your rights.

Understanding Personal Injury Liability in Washington

Washington is a fault-based personal injury state. For most types of claims—from car crashes to slip and fall accidents—injured victims must prove that the defendant’s negligence was a contributing factor in causing their accident. Negligence is the failure to take due care. What exactly that means varies somewhat from situation-to-situation. It could be anything from distracted driving to a retail store failing to mark a wet floor. Every serious accident requires a thorough investigation. Our Seattle, WA workers’ comp lawyers will gather and organize the evidence you need to prove fault. 

Washington operates under a comparative negligence standard (RCW § 4.22.005). Each party to an accident—even the victim themselves—will bear liability for their “share” of the damages. In effect, this means that you can still bring a claim even if you are partially at fault for the accident. However, your financial compensation will be reduced. For example, imagine that you suffered $30,000 in total damages in a pedestrian collision in Seattle. However, you are assigned 20 percent blame for the accident. You would be liable for 20 percent ($6,000) of your own damages. 

You Need Full and Fair Financial Compensation

Hurt in an accident in Seattle? You probably have a lot of questions about how much you can expect to recover in compensation through a personal injury claim. Washington State law allows victims to seek compensation for their economic losses and their non-economic damages from the at-fault party. However, in any given case, recovering full and fair financial support can be challenging. Our Seattle personal injury lawyers work tirelessly to help victims secure the maximum financial support. Your settlement or verdict may include compensation for: 

• Property damage, such as automobile repairs; 
• Ambulance transportation and emergency room care; 
• Hospital bills and other types of medical costs; 
• Physical therapy and mental health support; 
• Loss of wages and loss of future earning power; 
• Pain and suffering & mental health distress; 
• Long-term disability and physical disfigurement; and
• The wrongful death of a family member. 

We Handle All Types of Personal Injury Claims in Seattle

Dangerous or Defective Products

Injury victims who have suffered harm while using a product that was manufactured or marketed in a defective or dangerous way may be able to recover damages from the responsible party in a products liability-based personal injury suit. In Washington State, manufacturers can be held strictly liable for harm caused by a dangerous and defective product. If you or your child was injured by a defective product, contact our Seattle product liability attorney for a free case review. 

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Car Accident Cases

Motor vehicle accidents cause the loss of time, property, health and even life. Such accidents have a variety of possible causes, including driver error, negligence, manufacturing defects and dangerous weather. No matter what the specific cause or result, a crash can turn a normal day into a prolonged struggle. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer about your motor vehicle accident case can help you sort out your rights, your options and your future. We handle the full range of motor vehicle accident injury claims in Seattle, including: 

• Car accidents; 
• Semi-truck accidents; 
• Motorcycle crashes; 
• Pedestrian collisions; and
• Bicycle accidents.

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Animal Bites

Although animal-attack claims most commonly involve dog bites, many other types of domesticated animals, such as cats, ferrets, rats, snakes and even birds, can also bite humans. Even non-domesticated animals, such as large cats or monkeys and apes ordinarily found in the wild (owned by some people as pets or held in private animal refuges) have been known to attack children and adults. An animal owner’s liability for injuries caused by his or her pet, if any, will vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

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Construction site Accidents

A construction site can be a very dangerous place to work. Even if a construction worker is aware of hazardous conditions and is careful to avoid injury, he or she may be seriously hurt if a general contractor or subcontractor ignores or does not sufficiently enforce safety standards. A construction worker who was hurt on the job in Seattle has the right to file for workers’ compensation benefits. Beyond that, a construction worker may also have third party liability claims. Our Seattle personal injury lawyers have the skills and experience to handle all types of construction site accident cases.

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Slips, Falls and Other Premises Liability Claims

Premises liability law involves the legal responsibilities of property owners and occupiers to prevent injuries to persons on their property. One of the most common causes of such injuries is a trip or slip and fall, such as on an icy sidewalk, a loose or uneven stair tread, or a piece of debris or spilled liquid on the floor. Property owner liability varies depending on the rules and principles adopted in the jurisdiction where the injury occurred. If you have any questions about a premises liability claim, contact our Seattle personal injury lawyer for a free, no obligation consultation.

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Wrongful Death

In general, a wrongful death claim is one in which it is alleged that a person died as a result of another’s negligence. The deceased person’s surviving relatives, dependents or beneficiaries may bring suit against the responsible party or parties, seeking monetary damages for their losses. These may include medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages and loss of companionship. Each state has its own wrongful death laws and not every state follows the same guidelines, principles or rules. With deep knowledge of Washington’s wrongful death laws, our Seattle wrongful death attorneys are committed to pursuing justice for grieving families.

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How the Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers at The Walthew Law Firm Can Help

Enduring a bad accident is stressful and overwhelming. Most people have a lot of questions about what comes next. At The Walthew Law Firm, we have more than 90 years of experience advocated for injured victims in Washington. Our team knows how to hold insurance companies accountable. When you contact our Seattle office, you will connect with a personal injury lawyer who can: 

• Hear your story, answer legal questions, and review your case: 
• Conduct a thorough investigation of your accident and your injuries; 
• Handle the insurance paperwork and any settlement discussions; and
• Take aggressive action to help you secure the best possible results. 

Personal Injury Claims in Seattle: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Three years. Under Washington law (RCW 4.16.080), most personal injury claims are subject to a three-year statute of limitations. However, you do not want to wait to get started with your claim. Defendants and insurers waste no time. Consult with a Seattle personal injury lawyer right away. 

Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney After an Accident in Seattle?

If you suffered an injury that requires medical care, you should always consult with a Seattle personal injury attorney. Personal injury claims are complicated—and no insurance company can be relied upon to protect your rights and interests. Your lawyer is your advocate. The Walthew Law Firm offers free, no obligation consultations to injured victims in Seattle. 

How Do I Determine the Value of My Personal Injury Case?

Several factors will impact the value of your claim, including liability and damages. Though, the key thing to remember is that injured victims have a right to be made “whole” in Washington. The value of your personal injury claim depends on the extent of your actual damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. Be sure that these damages are properly documented.

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys

At The Walthew Law Firm, our Seattle personal injury attorneys are experienced, aggressive, and justice-focused advocates for victims and families. If you or your loved one was hurt in an accident, we are here as the legal resource that you can trust. For more information or to schedule an appointment with, please do not hesitate to contact us. Initial consultations are free and fully confidential. From our Seattle office, we represent injured victims in King County and beyond. 

Personal Injury Law Resource Links

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

The CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of property damage, serious personal injury or death from consumer products such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC’s website includes recalls and product safety news, information on reporting an unsafe product and more.

National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Resources and Information

The National Safety Council offers safety resources that provide statistics, tips and suggestions for staying safe at home and while on the road.

Tort Law: An Overview

This website, maintained by the Legal Information Institute (LII) at Cornell University Law School, provides general information about tort law, including discussion of intentional torts, negligence and strict liability.

Dog Bite Liability

This article from the Insurance Information Institute (III) discusses issues related to dog bite liability, including the responsibilities of dog owners, recent developments in state legislation and important court decisions.

Products Liability Law: An Overview

This website, also maintained by the Legal Information Institute (LII) at Cornell University Law School, provides general information about the law of products liability as well as links to federal and state judicial decisions and statutes.

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