Recent Blog Posts

Evidence in a Car Crash Case
Proof is the cornerstone of a car crash or other negligence case. The victim/plaintiff must establish liability (legal responsibility for damages) by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). That’s one of the lowest standards of proof in Washington law. But building a basic case isn’t enough. To obtain maximum compensation, the… Read More »

Possible Drug-Related Shooting at Seattle Apartment Complex
Investigators arrived at a senior living apartment complex shortly after midnight one morning to find a man who had been shot dead lying in one of the units. The incident occurred at a Third Avenue apartment complex, near the Blanchard Street intersection. Residents were surprised, but not completely shocked. “Police come here a lot… Read More »

What to Expect in a Bicycle Injury Case
Bicyclists often suffer such severe injuries in collisions that their medical bills can be significant. These victims have no protection from oncoming vehicles, other than thin bicycle helmets. Ironically, according to some research, bicycle helmets might do more harm than good. They give both riders and tortfeasors (negligent drivers) a false sense of security…. Read More »

Bedsores and Nursing Home Negligence
Pressure ulcers, one of the most common nursing home injuries, develop unless a resident turns over in bed at least once every two hours. Bedsores most often develop on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips and tailbone. Cellulitis and cancer are two of the most common… Read More »

The Five Kinds of Driving Impairment
One of the five kinds of driver impairment causes most of the vehicle collisions in Washington. Speeding, turning illegally, and other kinds of aggressive driving cause most of the rest. Juries often award considerable damages in these cases. Arguably, impaired tortfeasors (negligent drivers) knowingly choose to put other people at risk. As a result,… Read More »

Breaking Down a Negligent Security Claim in Washington
Negligent security is more than a lack of security. Instead, negligent security is basically a lack of care. This legal concept is based on the story of the Good Samaritan. According to this story, which for better or worse is ingrained in Western law, the Good Samaritan went out of his way to help… Read More »

Building a Bicycle Accident Claim
As outlined below, evidence is the most important part of a bicycle accident claim. A victim/plaintiff must prove negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence (“more likely than not”). Although this burden of proof is very low, there’s usually a relationship between the amount of evidence a victim/plaintiff presents… Read More »

The Two Major Components of a Nursing Home Abuse Claim
Nursing home abuse, such as assault or false imprisonment (e.g. blocking a doorway) is an intentional tort in Washington. The conduct, not the result, is intentional. Stressed nursing home workers usually don’t intend to hurt residents when they push, shove, or otherwise assault them. Usually, these workers just want the resident to sit down… Read More »

What To Do When the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance
Although Washington has one of the nation’s most stringent mandatory auto insurance laws, the Evergreen State has one of the highest percentages of uninsured motorists in the country. Frequently, people who think they have nothing to lose, like uninsured drivers, take reckless chances. So, the possibility of an uninsured motorist accident is high. But… Read More »

What to Expect in a Washington Dog Bite Claim
The average dog bite settlement has increased significantly since 2020. During coronavirus lockdowns, many people adopted “pandemic puppies” who were isolated from everyone else. These puppies are now full-grown dogs who aren’t used to people and may react violently when they feel threatened. Most dog bite claims eventually settle, but “eventually” could be a… Read More »