Recent Blog Posts
PREMISES MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE
“Medical payments” insurance coverage is something we encounter fairly often in the premises liability cases that we handle. Automobile insurance policies will sometimes have a specific coverage called “medical payments coverage”, but most often, in Washington State and Oregon, there is a specific “personal injury protection” coverage to pay medical bills and lost wages… Read More »
RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP
Jimmy the German Shorthair Pointer and Allie the youngest daughter of Schauermann Thayer attorney Scott Edwards moments before being disturbed for breakfast My family recently added a new member to our family. Jimmy came to us when he was almost six months old and has almost literally turned our world upside down. Being first… Read More »
WHAT IF SOMEONE INTENTIONALLY INJURES ME?
Most of the injury claims we see in our office, and going through the courts, are of the unintentional variety- some form and degree of negligence on the part of the bad actor. Of course, intentional injuries do occur. Intentional injuries to the body can involve vehicles, fists, or weapons, or they can be… Read More »
ON ATTORNEY FEES AND “SAFE HARBORS” — OREGON LAW IN PIP AND UIM DISPUTES
Generally, the “American Rule” is that adverse parties involved in litigation in courts in our country each have to bear their own attorney fees. Sometimes, however, there are specific statutes that may vary that general rule – and which do provide for a court to have the authority to award reasonable attorney fees to… Read More »
FUN AND/OR INTERESTING STATUTES IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON STATE
Sometimes, as we research the legal issues we encounter, the laws we encounter are fascinating. A few examples [the following is the furthest thing possible from legal advice and in no way should be construed as such!]: Washington RCW 46.61.665 prohibits “embracing another while driving”. It is unlawful for any person to operate a… Read More »
CHANGES TO WASHINGTON LAWS PROTECT CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS
Each year, Washington lawmakers add to, remove, and alter the laws that affect all of us here in Washington. This year, there were two big changes made to Washington laws that will make our communities safer for all people on the roads; but especially to cyclists and pedestrians The last day the legislature met… Read More »
WHAT IF THERE’S SENSITIVE STUFF IN MY MEDICAL RECORDS?
We are very used to dealing with a world where great efforts are taken to keep our medical information and records private. Injured people who bring personal injury claims are often shocked to find out that this expectation of privacy seems to go out the window when they bring their claim. Insurers and their… Read More »
WHAT DOES “MMI” MEAN?
You may have heard a doctor, attorney, or a medical or legal assistant use the acronym “MMI” before. As in, “I think your condition is at MMI.” But what does that mean? Well, the letters MMI simply stand for “maximum medical improvement”. And, what that phrase means is that to the extent you were… Read More »
BEN MELNICK LICENSED IN OREGON AS WELL AS WASHINGTON
On June 17, 2014, one of the firm’s founding members, Craig Schauermann (now of counsel to the firm) published a blog entitled WHY WE ARE: “Washington Oregon Lawyers”. In it, Craig addressed our firm’s ability to handle personal injury and wrongful death cases on either side of the Columbia River – with lawyers licensed to… Read More »
WHAT CAN I DO IF I WAS HIT BY A DRIVER IN MEDICAL DISTRESS?
Anytime there is a motor vehicle collision, you would naturally think it is somebody’s fault. Although usually true, that isn’t always the case. Typically, a crash is the fault of one or more drivers acting carelessly. Other times, it is due to a defect in the design of the road, or due to the… Read More »
