Recent Blog Posts
IMMIGRATION STATUS IN CIVIL DISCOVERY
If One’s Immigration Status is Generally Not Admissible in Washington, Must a Party Answer Questions About His or Her Undocumented Status at Deposition? Short answer: Typically, not. Given the fact that one’s immigration status is generally not admissible in Washington courts, it follows that it would usually be inappropriate during discovery for an attorney to inquire… Read More »
DO I HAVE TO PAY BACK HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS OUT OF MY VERDICT OR SETTLEMENT?
Do I have to pay back Health Insurance benefits from my verdict or settlement? After a personal injury verdict or settlement, reimbursing health insurance is generally required to some extent, and under some circumstances. The requirement is typically contained in the insurance contract, state laws, and regulations, or federal laws and regulations. Whether a… Read More »
IS MY CASE GOING TO TRIAL?
We’ve outlined the typical personal injury claim process before in a blog post you can find here. If there was a timeline done of the typical personal injury claim, the latter portion of the timeline would be the litigation phase (everything that happens after filing a lawsuit) and the final resolution of both the litigation… Read More »
MY INSURANCE COMPANY WANTS ME TO ATTEND AN “INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAM,” WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Insurance companies have the right under almost all automobile insurance policies to verify you’re your medical treatment is “reasonably and necessarily incurred as a result of” the collision. One way the insurance company can almost always this is by asking you to see a doctor of their choosing. This is called an “Independent Medical… Read More »
WHY IS MY INITIAL OFFER FROM THE INSURER TO SETTLE MY INJURY CLAIM SO LOW?
One of the most common reasons given by potential clients for coming to see me is that the insurance company for the person or company that hurt them offered a ridiculously, insultingly low amount to settle their claim. “I’m not looking to get rich or retire on this…but what they offered didn’t seem at… Read More »
IS ONE’S UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION STATUS ADMISSIBLE AT TRIAL IN WASHINGTON COURTS?
Is One’s Undocumented Immigration Status Admissible at Trial in Washington Courts? Short answer: Generally, no. Almost four years ago now, on January 14, 2015, I published a blog entitled Immigrants, Illegal Status, and Personal Injury (also published in Spanish as ¿Es el Estatus de un Inmigrante Ilegal admisible en un Caso de Lesión Personal?). It addressed the… Read More »
DO I HAVE TO PAY BACK PIP BENEFITS FROM MY VERDICT OR SETTLEMENT?
Do I have to pay back PIP benefits out of my settlement or verdict? Sometimes, when a case is at its end — whether that is a settlement or a jury verdict – clients think that means the case is over. To many clients, it is a sad realization that a huge part of… Read More »
WHEN IS IT NECESSARY TO FILE A LAWSUIT?
To see an overview of the typical personal injury claim process, click here. The following are situations in which it can be necessary to file a lawsuit. This list is not exhaustive and this list is not legal advice. To the extent you believe it is necessary for you to file a lawsuit, please contact… Read More »
WHAT IS “BURDEN OF PROOF” AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR MY CASE?
In the law, there is a tendency to use big words. Even if the words themselves are small, legal professionals often use words that are difficult to understand. Such is the case with “burden of proof.” It means, simply, “who has to prove what and by what standard—or with how much evidence must something… Read More »
WHAT ARE THE COSTS TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH CASES?
When I sit down with a potential new client, one of the important things we go over is what the case is ultimately going to cost them financially. As with almost all attorneys on personal injury and wrongful death cases, the attorney fee is going to be a percentage of the money we are… Read More »
