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Washington Personal Injury Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Hello, I was involved in an automobile accident and I’m a medicare recipient. My lawyer received the settlement.

1). They say they are waiting for Reductions before they can release the money, does this sound correct?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 18, 2023

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Yes, that sounds correct (without knowing the details of your case). One possibility is that your attorney is engaged with the Human Resources Administration (or their attorney, if they assigned one) to negotiate... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I went to have my gallbladder removed and during the procedure my liver was torn and then cauterized. anything I can do?
Christopher Kirk Steuart
Christopher Kirk Steuart
answered on Feb 27, 2023

You clearly suffered an injury. The elements of medical malpractice include violation of the standard of care. If the doctor in performing the procedure failed to perform at the recognized standard of care you may have a case. That said if you suffered a loss is a critical component of the... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: I went to have my gallbladder removed and during the procedure my liver was torn and then cauterized. anything I can do?
Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Feb 27, 2023

Medical malpractice means that a doctor violated the standard of care. A bad outcome is not enough. Another doctor would be needed to evaluate what the doctors did.

Consult with experienced attorneys. Https://www.justia.com/lawyers

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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... Read more »

Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Feb 3, 2023

Of course, there are many attorneys who can assist. I don't do these personally, but if you want to call or email I'd be happy to make some referrals.

Otherwise, you can google search and I'm sure you could find someone.

Documenting your financial losses, as you...
Read more »

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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... Read 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... Read more »

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... Read 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...
Read 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... Read 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... Read more »

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...
Read more »

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... Read 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... Read 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...
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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).... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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:... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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?

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