Recent Blog Posts
BUILDING A CASE THROUGH PUBLIC RECORDS
Federal, state, and local governments, as well as their various agencies and subparts, generate records for countless reasons. The public has a great interest in transparent government. As a result, there are laws on the books for the safekeeping and release of public records. Under federal law, there is the Freedom of Information Act… Read More »
CAN WE NEGOTIATE UP FROM A LOWBALL OFFER?
The short answer is: “Yes, maybe”. As long as the initial lowball isn’t so low it is offensive and would leave you—the injured person—“in the hole” financially speaking, there is a chance that productive back and forth negotiation could occur. To see an overview of the typical personal injury claim process, click here. This blog… Read More »
SHOULD I KEEP A JOURNAL AFTER I GET INJURED?
So you’ve heard that your personal injury case might drag out a long while. You also know it’s likely that someday a bunch of insurance adjusters, lawyers, and doctors are going to be asking you a lot of questions about what happened, what hurt, how long it hurt for, and how it impacted your… Read More »
PREVENTING BRAIN INJURY – BICYCLE HELMETS AND CHILDREN – LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN
(from left) Partner Scott Staples, Office Manager Paula Kleven, Caden, and me In pushing for safety through the formation of a volunteer fire department in the city of Philadelphia in 1736, Benjamin Franklin wrote: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In the case of bike helmets, and protection of the… Read More »
HOW DO INSURANCE COMPANIES EVALUATE CLAIMS?
I started my career working for the largest insurance defense law firm on the West Coast. I spent three years working directly with insurance adjusters as they evaluated cases, and determined whether to cover an insurance claim submitted by one of their insureds. After this experience I was offered a position working directly for… Read More »
WHAT IS A POLICY LIMIT?
What is a Policy Limit? Short Answer: It’s the most money an insurance company is contracted to pay out for its insured for a specific purpose. LONG-WINDED & MORE INFORMATIONAL ANSWER In any industry, the jargon and shorthand people in that field use can cause even the sharpest of outsiders’ eyes to glaze over. Attorneys… Read More »
WHAT COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGES ENDS UP IN MY POCKET WHEN A CLAIM RESOLVES?
It is important to understand, generally, how to determine what compensation for damages actually ends up in your pocket when a personal injury claim resolves. As we’ve said before on this blog: “Sometimes, when a case is at its end — whether that is a settlement or a jury verdict – clients think that means the… Read More »
SHOULD I TRUST MY OWN INSURANCE COMPANY?
You’re trying to navigate the maze of issues after a car crash: medical payments, property damage, rental cars, bodily injury settlements. You may find yourself asking, “should I trust my own insurance company?”, in terms of what they tell you, what they want you to do or sign, and whether what they’re offering you… Read More »
OUT OF OFFICE: SCHAUERMANN THAYER HITS THE SLOPES
For skiers and snowboarders, the snowstorms this February were a welcome sight for fun. About two weeks in advance, Scott Staples, Scott Edwards, and I planned our ski day at Mt. Hood Meadows. The weather forecast did not give us any real idea of what to expect until just a few days before. By… Read More »
COME SEE US AT THE 2019 CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
We are honored to again be sponsoring the Vancouver Family Magazine Children’s Festival this year. The event will be held on Saturday, March 16 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Vancouver Mall. This is the 13th year that the magazine has put this fun event on for local families and the 3rd year that Schauermann Thayer has… Read More »
