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Washington Personal Injury Questions & Answers
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 Insurance Bad Faith, Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: What should I do when an insurance company keeps removing my uploaded documents on their claims website???

The insurance company continues to remove my documents that I have uploaded to their website and to which I was instructed to do so by the claims team. I have asked via text and email as to why this is happening and have not received a response. This has been happening every time I upload a... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 29, 2023

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. One option is to ask them if there is a technical glitch with either the site or the formatting of the documents, and if so, will they accept hard copies by certified mail. Also ask them if they are downloading... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI, Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Where can I get help with my ongoing 3rd party claim with the other drivers auto insurance company in Washington State??

3rd time DUI offender plowed into our front yard, our fence, and our car at a high rate of speed. His car finally stopped only about 10 feet from the room in which we were at that morning. Our car was deemed a total loss as this was the only thing that stopped the driver from plowing right into our... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 30, 2023

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for your ordeal. You're correct; this could be an overwhelming matter because of the number of elements it contains. You indicate seeking an attorney. Your best option is to reach out to... View More

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...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Civil Rights for Washington on
Q: I am a witness and have been incarcerated in same unit as defendant putting me in emotional distress very high profile c
Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Jan 9, 2023

Are you incarcerated because of a pending charge against you unrelated to the issue that you are a witness of?

Do you have an attorney? If not are you going to hire private counsel OR ask for the appointment of an attorney by the court to represent you?

my cell is 509-750-9921

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: How can I sue fit defamation of character involving a doctor

It has cause a misdiagnosis and possible damage

Or medical malpractice

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 26, 2022

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Unless there's more to the matter, it would be a matter of medical malpractice, not defamation of character. Defamation means spoken or written words that cause harm to your dignitary interests (reputation).... View More

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 Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Can I say a law firm by name if that firm has given advice not representation 2 the insurance company in correspondence

I am battling a car accident settlement with insurance company alone. But was given advice from a good friend who is an atty and ceo at her law firm. I am not representited by the firm but given advice from that firm. When corresponding to the insurance company, can I mention the law firm name... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 24, 2022

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. You wouldn't necessarily be doing your friend a favor with something like that. If they handle work or hope to handle work with insurance carriers, it's possible that could cause them to get flagged... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: If my lawyer has a lean on my case, and my case he was representing gets dismissed by the court, does he has a right to

represent me again

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 24, 2022

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Yes, it's possible he could. It would help to know additional details about the amount of work done to date and the nature of the dismissal. It looks like the dismissal was not fatal to the case and did not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Washington on
Q: What type of lawyer is needed for a rental with toxic well water (e.coli found) & toxic levels of black mold?

I am writing on behalf of my brother’s family.

Their rental is on a well. Main well dried up -they are on the backup well - located up the hill. The water comes out of a uncovered tube. They’ve complained to their landlords & were told the water is fine -they won’t fix or drill a... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 11, 2022

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. You chose the correct categories to post under - landlord-tenant and personal injury. Those are the types of attorneys who would have insight into this. As a starting point, your brother could consult with a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Is it wise to bring fourth a tort case against the county in which I live?..
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 24, 2022

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. No one here can say, based on the brief facts provided. You posted under personal injury. If you were injured in a significant manner, it's something you could discuss with a Washington attorney. You could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Education Law for Washington on
Q: PE teacher slapped back of daughters hand

My daughter is in middle school in Washington state. She went to school today wearing some wedged boots forgetting that today was PE. When she entered the gym both teachers surrounded her and belittled her. They also made her hold her hand out and slapped the back of her hand. Do I have any... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 22, 2022

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I'm sorry this happened to your daughter. From the situation you describe, it's possible evidence could be of a fleeting nature in terms of video recordings or eyewitness recollection. You could reach out... View More

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 and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: Uninsured driver hits parked car A, slamming it into parked car B. Can car B claim damages on Car A's insurance??

My neighbor (parked car A) was parked in front of me (parked car B) along the curb. An uninsured crackhead slammed into car A, causing it to slam into car B. The driver ran and was arrested within minutes.

I was told that even though washington is an at fault state, i can file a damages... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jul 5, 2022

A Washington lawyer would be a better source to answer this question, however, if Car A did nothing below the standard of care, i.e, not negligent, then how would you be able to recover from Car A?

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Civil Rights for Washington on
Q: Do I have a criminal or civil case? Officer did not act on my request for help, weeks later child killed someone.

Child has been sentenced for murder however I asked the police chief for help just weeks & days before my child commited murder. He conspired with my husband to keep it quiet about stabbing months prior & ignored my pleas for help.

I specifically told the chief that when the moms... View More

Eric Gene Young
Eric Gene Young pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 23, 2022

Unfortunately, as upsetting as this must be, the facts you described are not likely to constitute either a civil or criminal matter for you. On the civil side, law enforcement officers in federal actions are entitled to qualified immunity which shields them from liability unless they knowingly... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Products Liability and Business Law for Washington on
Q: I got a personal hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Is it legal to rent it out from my apartment with no medical qualifications?

I have a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. I required a prescription to get it (in addition to about $10k) but it was easy to get. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not claim any official benefits and is done at anti-aging clinics, among other places. Can I run a business where people rent my chamber by the... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 26, 2022

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. The responses on this Q & A board are limited to brief general formats. This could be something for which you'd want to consider a more thorough consult with an attorney to address various issues, such... View More

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 Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Washington on
Q: Does this fall into tort of outrage or intent to inflict emotional damage?

Incident:

They took her into their office, stated they would be happy to meet with her alone and only alone, while knowing she was in and out the hospital, to bully her, and told her she was treated differently than her neighbors, because I, her daughter, spoke out about gentrification.... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 27, 2022

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. It looks like you're talking about the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress. To meaningfully answer your question, you could reach out to law firms to discuss. It could be one thing for a matter... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Washington on
Q: Are mold cases ever successful?

Tenants in our building have chronic health issues. Signs of mold and water damage everywhere. Bursting pipes ignored. One tenant had professional testing done which yielded positive for toxic mold. Can these results be used for all tenants? Are mold cases ever successful?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 21, 2022

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. As a general matter nationwide, they can be difficult cases. Some law firms are reluctant to take them on because things are not as clear-cut as more traditional accident cases involving clearly definable damages... View More

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