If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence in Washington State, you may be able to claim compensation to cover damages caused by that negligent act. Examples of such accidents include a negligent motorist who causes an auto accident, the manufacturer of a defective product that injures someone, a doctor’s error or negligence that causes serious injuries, or a dog owner whose pet bites or injures a person as a result of the owner’s failure to keep the animal restrained. Here are some of the most common damages addressed by Kirk Bernard that may play a role in a Washington personal injury claim:
- Medical expenses: This includes doctors fee, hospitalization costs, and cost of medication or surgeries if you need them.
- Lost Wages: These are the wages or earnings that you lose as a result of the accident or injuries caused by the other person’s negligence. This includes work time lost and work you could not do as a direct result of the injuries suffered.
- Rehabilitation: This includes services provided by others who help an injury victim return to the same physical condition he or she was in prior to the negligent act. This could include new job or occupation training. For example, if you are a construction worker who has lost his leg, then you need training in another field because your injury prevents you from working your normal trade or occupation.
- Pain and suffering: This is compensation for the physical pain and suffering that a victim endures after the injury caused by the negligent act.
- Punitive damages: This is assessed against reckless or irresponsible behavior. The purpose of punitive damages is to prevent such behavior in the future and to deter others from acting in a similar manner. Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases involving manufacturers of defective autos, drugs or other products that caused injuries to consumers.
You can find out more information about your particular case and what damages you may be entitled to, by contacting an experienced Seattle personal injury lawyer. Please contact the reputed Washington personal injury attorneys at The Bernard Law Firm at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com to schedule your FREE, comprehensive and confidential consultation. We can also send you our FREE brochure, which has useful, educational information to help you better understand your rights. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.
If you have been injured in a Washington auto accident, you are probably in the process of filing a claim. When you do so, one of the most important things you need to do as a claimant is to make a complete, thorough and comprehensive list of all your injuries, damages and expenses. Below are some important things to include in your records:
- Property damage: Include photographs wherever possible.
- Injuries: Include documentation wherever possible.
- Medical expenses: Include documentation like receipts and emails.
It is also recommended that you maintain a daily journal:
- How do you feel?
- How has the accident affected you?
- Have you been able to go to work?
- How many days of work did you miss?
- Which pre-accident activities are you unable to participate in after the accident?
- Has there been a significant emotional toll?
- What is the extent of pain you feel?
It is important to write this down in the weeks following the accident, if you are in a position to do so. This is because after the weeks and months pass, you may forget the finer, yet important details.
It is also important that you provide these details to your personal injury Seattle attorney, so he or she will be able to better assess the value of your claim. The success of your personal injury claim depends on the timeliness of your actions and the extent of detail you can provide – be it from the accident scene or in the days immediately after the accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington auto accident, please contact the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys of The Bernard Law Group at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE, comprehensive and confidential consultation. We can also send you our FREE brochure, which has useful and educational information to help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.
If you are a dog owner in Washington State and are concerned about protecting yourself from liability in dog bite cases or dog attacks that occur on your property, you need to take a closer look at your Homeowners Insurance policy. In Washington State, dog bite victims can sue dog owners under the state’s “strict liability statute.”
This law states that dog owners are liable for injuries caused by their pets – whether it is on their property, another person’s property or on public property. Unless your dog bites a burglar or an assailant, you may be held liable.
If you are a dog owner, do not make assumptions about coverage. Be sure to read exclusions to your policy as well as the section on liability and medical payments. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 5 million Americans are victims of dog bites. Also, dog attacks can cause serious damage and high medical bills, easily running into hundreds of thousands of dollars if the victim needs cosmetic surgery. As a dog owner, you need to make sure that your policy includes adequate medical payment coverage as well. It is recommended that you have medical limits of at least $100,000 per incident. Dog owners are not the only ones who may be held liable for a dog bite. Parents of minors who own dogs, dog walkers or dog sitters may also be held responsible in the event of an attack.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington dog attack, please contact the experienced Washington personal injury attorneys with The Bernard Law Group at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE comprehensive and confidential consultation and case evaluation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about dog bite cases, which has useful information to help you understand your legal rights and options as a victim. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.