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Questions Answered by Steve Dashiak
2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Washington on
Q: Can I get copy of my apartment complex's insurance carrier outlining slip and fall personal injury damages coverage?

Is there a protocol or set amount payable guideline per certain personal injuries?

Example: Broken hip resulting in surgery=certain amount?

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Feb 25, 2024

I'm sorry to read about your hip. They're not going to give it to you before filing a lawsuit. I've never seen an apartment premises liability case settle pre-suit. They're going to fight every step of the way. Your injuries are serious and you need someone willing and able to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Washington on
Q: I was bit by a customers dog while delivering a food order. It's my gf's delivery account. Can I seek damages??

I could not just leave the order at the door because I needed a code from customer to finalize order. When she opened her door the big German shepherd got past her and circled around me and got between me and the gate and lunged and bit me below the kneecap. Police report was filed and I went to... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Nov 14, 2023

You can absolutely seek damages in Washington. Washington is a strict liability state. The entire case hinges on whether that person has renter's or homeowner's insurance. There may be a speedbump because it was you and not your GF who made the delivery, but your attorney (and you should... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: A city works employee accidentally spilled chemical on my kids. They have chemical burns on their arms and face. Help

What is my best course of action? Should I seek legal representation or try to settle it with the city?

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on May 31, 2023

I'm sorry this happened to your children. I know it was not intentional, but that is no comfort in cases like these.

In a case involving burns to your kids' bodies, you should definitely consult with a lawyer. If a government agency is willingly negotiating with you, it's a...
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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I’m almost 62 and am interested in suing my childhood sexual abuser. Is it possible?

At age 8 our next door neighbor sexually assaulted me in front of his sister. Is it possible to still hold him accountable? I think by his personality type he would want to settle out of court monetarily in order to keep it all hush hush. I would need contingency based. I am realizing this is... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on May 16, 2023

It is possible, but there might be some practical limitations in play here. It completely depends on the circumstances and the extent of the abuse. An abuse case doesn't have these limits if there was some sort of agency (school, church, DSHS) that knew or should have known about ongoing abuse... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Criminal Law and DUI / DWI for Washington on
Q: Is there anyone that can help me to settle my claim for an accident caused by a drunk driver in Washington State?

I need to find an attorney that can help me in finishing my insurance injury claim. I have literally done 3/4 of the work (I believe) and I have obtained all of the documents needed to settle this case. These include my medical documents from my PCP and therapist notes and summaries for every... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Feb 3, 2023

I've had a number of cases where the prospective client thought they'd done almost all the work and just needed someone to land the plane. Every single one of them was put together in such a manner that I would have been better off just recreating the file from scratch. So, I would not be... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death for Washington on
Q: personal injury WA state

so, there's a personal injury case, which just has been dismissed without prejudice and the statute timing is running out in WA state, here are the questions:

Can I as a lawyer file a new same personal injury case in same court and "start over" as long as I'm within time... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Jan 29, 2023

If it's dismissed withOUT prejudice, you can re-file at any point before the SOL runs.

The answer to the fees and costs question is between you, the new law firm, and the client. You're generally entitled to be reimbursed for costs, but asserting a lien for your fee in a case...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Statute of limitations

Hello, If there's a statue of limitations, and it's expired, but there's a lawsuit which was filed in a timely manner BUT dismissed without a prejustice due to client's communication issues (couldn't reach the client), can it be reopened?

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Jan 27, 2023

Yikes. You should fight like hell to have the Court reconsider the dismissal. And get a hold of the dang client! Whatever it takes. Pretend discipline from the bar is on the line.

You can re-file after the statute of limitations, but the case would likely be dismissed upon a motion by the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Washington on
Q: personal injury complaint filed against city jail, trial set but lawyer quits- does statute of limitations date change?

Complaint for personal injury filed in Wa State King County Superior Court, (previously filed in federal court on civil right violations) before Covid in 2019, no progress for 2 years. Depositions began in 2022 and trial date set, then lawyer withdraws only months before trial. Does the original... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Jan 27, 2023

The statute of limitations doesn't change, but you should ask the defense counsel to agree to a change in the trial date. Defense attorneys are usually happy to delay proceedings. If not, the Court is usually pretty understanding. Just make sure you haven't passed the deadline for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Civil Litigation for Washington on
Q: I'm having trouble finding an attorney to handle a property damage claim in Tacoma WA. Where do I go?

I've checked attorney matching websites w no success No personal injury involved

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Jan 20, 2023

Well, depending on the specifics of the claim, there might only be 2 "property damage" firms in all of Washington. I don't believe either is on any of the attorney matching sites. I'd google "property damage attorney Washington" and look at the first organic result.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Can anyone answer my car insurance settlement question below please???

I am on SSDI & have medical insurance through the government. In July I was diagnosed w/ PTSD from an accident where a drink driver's car stopped less than 7 feet from our bedroom window (the room we were occupying that mornimg) going 60mph. Our vehicle was the only thing that stopped him... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Dec 12, 2022

Yes, there's something called the collateral source rule that entitles you to the amount of the bills without regard to insurance. Link to pattern jury instruction below:... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Washington on
Q: I live in a small town. Can an attorney from the same firm representing opposing party represent me?
Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Jun 12, 2023

I'd look at Washington RPC 1.7 closely, but the answer is "it depends". If it's the same matter, it's prohibited. If not, it's possible if you give "informed consent".

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Washington on
Q: What county do I sue a business if mailing and physical addressed are in different counties?

I'm suing a business in the State of Washington. The physical address is in Snohomish County according to the Secretary of State website where businesses are registered; mailing is in King county.

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Feb 13, 2023

RCW 4.12.010, 4.12.020 and RCW 4.12.025 are your friends here.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Car Accidents and Insurance Defense for Washington on
Q: I am a defendant in a lawsuit. I was served a package of papers today. I am on a time schedule. The papers tell me to

I am a defendant in a lawsuit. I was served a package of papers today. I am on a time schedule. The papers tell me to contact an attorney immediately. I need to find an attorney. How?

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Jan 11, 2023

There isn't enough information here to give a full answer. One critical fact would be what type of lawsuit this is. Based on the categories you've selected, I am presuming you are being sued for injuries stemming from a car accident for which you were at fault.

If that's the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: If I already have a law firm but I am really not comfortable with can I hire a different one?
Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Aug 30, 2022

Absolutely. It's important to be represented by someone you're comfortable with and can trust. You can either have your new attorney get the file from your old attorney, or get it yourself and forward it on.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: In a class action lawsuit is it a standard practice for law firms to sub contract to 2nd law firm

I am lookin for legal rep for a bad drug class action suit and I noticed high legal fees in regards to contracting a firm due to them sub contracting to a 2nd law firm

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Jun 17, 2022

There ARE circumstances where the fee can go up in a mass tort case, but you would have been notified and signed a joint representation agreement at the start. The fee should total 40% + costs for cases in litigation, give or take. The fee doesn't go up just because another lawyer is involved... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Sexual Harassment for Washington on
Q: How much will a lawyer charge to represent me in a sexual abuse claim against a Catholic priest in Seattle?

I know a lawyer won't charge me up front I just want to get an idea of how much he would take when I win my case. Thank you

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Apr 21, 2022

The standard fee for personal injury cases, including sex abuse cases, is 1/3 of the total recovery plus costs advanced. If the matter goes to litigation, the fee goes up to 40% plus costs advanced.

I commend your bravery in coming forward to get some justice. I wish you the best.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Washington on
Q: How to you respond to a summons when there is no case number on it and it was not even served correctly?

I was served papers at an address that I have not lived at for 4 years and I just by chance was given them by the current tenant. There is no case number on the papers and the debt has already been paid. How do I respond to these papers with no case number?

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Oct 25, 2021

This is a great question.

In short: you should reach out to the attorney whose address is noted in the paperwork, and send them proof the debt is paid. If it is, that will be the end of it. If the debt isn't actually paid, you should draft and file an answer to the complaint. There are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: When should I hire an attorney to appeal a permanent partial disability claim?

Was awarded workers comp for acute leukemia caused by chemicals. Had several permanent physical changes (kidney issues, permanent ostomy, ostopenia, heart issues, sterile) due to extensive treatment and bad reactions to treatment. Workers comp only awarded PPD for one of the physical changes... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Aug 18, 2021

I say this as someone who is not a workers comp attorney: Please, never go through a WA workers compensation claim without an attorney again. It's possible you've left an enormous amount of money on the table. People get fee sensitive when thinking about workers comp attorneys, knowing... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Tax Law for Washington on
Q: As the title holder am I held liable for what the registered drives does? Accidents? Death?

My brother wants to transfer multiple vehicle titles into my name to avoid them being seized for child support payments.

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Jul 21, 2021

A better question would be "am I committing fraud if assets are transferred in my name solely for avoiding creditor payments". The answer would be YES.

There's something called the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act. It's called the Uniform Voidable Transfer Act in...
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4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I need advice on starting negotiations for my pain and suffering settlement because of a car accident.

Arbitration determined the other party was 100% at fault. dash cam footage shows the driver turned sideways on the freeway right in front of us. My husband was driving, I was in the front passenger seat and our 13 month old daughter was in the back in her carseat. We all went to the ER, but not via... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Jul 21, 2021

There are a lot of layers to what you just described. You're basically asking us to help you screw up your case. Unfortunately, you have already put a dent in your case's value. If you have an attorney take over, they could probably smooth that out. But, what you're proposing would... View More

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