FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
In Washington, you have three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. That’s why you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. If you miss the deadline, you could miss your only shot at recovering what you need to bounce back from the injury.
What Exactly Do Personal Injury Lawyers Do?
If you try to file a personal injury lawsuit yourself, or if you hire the wrong lawyer, you could walk away with much less compensation than you deserve — or even nothing at all. Here are a few of the many tasks your attorney will handle so you can focus on healing:
- Gathering evidence: photos/videos, witness statements, police records, etc.
- Consulting with experts (e.g., a doctor who analyzes a medical malpractice case)
- Negotiating with insurance companies for full and fair compensation
- Presenting your case at trial if the insurance company won’t negotiate in good faith
Keep in mind that, generally speaking, the insurance company wants to pay you as little as possible. You should never sign anything or accept any offer from them before speaking with an attorney who can determine the full value of your case.
Can I Recover Compensation?
Every case is different, and nothing is guaranteed when it comes to these lawsuits. That said, here are some of the most common damages for which a person can recover compensation:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of life’s enjoyment
- Funeral expenses (in the event of a loved one’s death)
You may also be entitled to other damages, depending on your situation.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Seattle
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, work incident, botched medical procedure, or another scenario, you may be owed money from the responsible party. Contact our Seattle office to see if you qualify for a lawsuit.
Fill out this online form for a free case review. These cases are time-sensitive, so don’t wait. Contact us today.