The Seattle Personal Injury Blog
Posted Friday, June 3, 2022 by
Chris Thayer
Imagine sitting in your home and enjoying a quiet cup of tea. Suddenly, your home begins to literally fall apart around you. You try your best to evacuate, gathering up your pets and most treasured possessions before stumbling out into the yard – just in time to see your family residence crumple inward into a sad heap of splintered wood and ruined furniture. It is every homeowner’s worst nightmare, and it could happen to anyone. Just ask the Bellevue family who is now suing the city after a catastrophic landslide. But can you really sue the city if your home is destroyed by some kind of natural disaster?
To answer this question, you need to get in touch with an experienced attorney. With our help, you can recover compensation for personal injuries sustained due to natural disasters, property damage to your home, and much more. It is best to get in touch with a qualified attorney as soon as possible for best results.
*Family Sues for $5 Million After Home-Wrecking Landslide*A family in Bellevue is now homeless after a destructive act of nature. But according to the family, this was no act of fate. Instead, they claim that the city was negligent in allowing this to happen, and they are suing the local government for a total of $5 million.
The incident began when water began to fill the family’s driveway. Panicking, they moved their cars to a nearby parking lot. During this time, the home slid off its foundation with the wife and dog still inside. An entire segment of the home completely collapsed, leaving the 20-year-old property in dire straits. It later became clear that the incident was caused by a landslide behind the home.
So, why is this family blaming the city? They claim that the entire landslide was caused by a broken water main, and that this water main was constructed from asbestos cement. According to their lawsuit, this material that the city used is much more prone to breakage compared to iron, which they argue constitutes negligence on the part of the city.
The city has pushed back, claiming that the landslide could have been caused by natural factors. They also state that it was the landslide that caused the broken water main – not the other way around. A full investigation is obviously required, although the city has not directly responded to the lawsuit in court.
*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney*If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney in Bellevue, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. Over the years, we have helped many injured victims in Washington State. Whether you are suing the local government or a negligent driver, we will fight for your rights and guide you toward a fair settlement. Book your consultation today to get started, as the statute of limitations can cause issues if you delay.
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Posted Friday, May 27, 2022 by
Chris Thayer
Basic necessities are not just getting more expensive – they are also becoming more dangerous. Renton residents are having to pay more for smaller portions of things like peanut butter and baby formula – if they manage to get their hands on these products amidst constant supply chain issues. To make matters even worse, these basic necessities are being recalled constantly due to all kinds of health risks. So, what can you do if you are simply trying to feed your family? Can you sue if you or a family member has been injured by defective food products?
In order to answer these questions, you first need to reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney in Renton. Our legal professionals can help you hold food companies accountable for their gross negligence, and you can pursue a fair, adequate settlement for everything you have been forced to endure. You might also have the ability to join a class-action lawsuit against these food companies. The result is often a considerable financial settlement, which you can use to pay off medical expenses, deal with emotional distress, and carry on as best you can.
*Jif’s Peanut Butter Fiasco*On May 23rd of 2022, it was widely reported that Jif peanut butter products had been recalled across the nation due to a salmonella scare. The recall was prompted after 14 people suffered illnesses after eating Jif peanut butter. Two people were hospitalized with serious issues. Washington is one of 12 states that reported illnesses, and it quickly participated with the recall.
In the wake of this recall, questions are being asked about whether Jif may be sued for its negligence in this matter. A number of other companies were using Jif peanut butter in their recipes, including chocolatiers, apples and peanut butter dip products, fudge products, Celery Bites by Garden Cut, peanut butter cups, and much more. A class-action lawsuit has already been filed in Kentucky, with plaintiffs arguing that Jif intentionally misled the public by claiming its products were safe to consume.
*Baby Formula Lawsuits Continue *Everyone is talking about the baby formula shortage, and one of the main catalysts for this debacle is the death of infants due to bacterial infections. At least two babies have died due to this bacterial contamination, prompting one New Jersey mother to sue. There are also reports of children suffering serious issues related to this defective formula, including brain and spinal cord infections. It goes without saying that many lawsuits will likely follow.
*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today*If you have been searching for a qualified personal injury attorney in Renton, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. Over the years, we have assisted numerous injured plaintiffs in the Washington area, and we know that these defective food products can cause serious issues for families. With our help, you can strive for justice and recover the compensation you need and deserve. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.
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Posted Friday, May 20, 2022 by
Chris Thayer
Slipping and falling might seem like a relatively innocuous accident… until you are dealing with a fractured hip, a traumatic head injury, or broken wrists. Make no mistake – these injuries can be devastating and life-changing, and you deserve the right to explore your legal options if you need compensation. If you are dealing with these injuries, compensation is probably much-needed due to the expensive nature of healthcare in the United States. On top of these costs, you might also be struggling with missed wages due to your injuries. So how do you sue for a slip and fall in Mercer Island?
The first step is to get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney in Mercer Island. Our legal professionals can carefully assess your unique situation during a consultation. From there, we can provide you with solid legal advice. You can then decide whether you would like to move forward with a personal injury lawsuit. If you do, we will be with you every step of the way, guiding you toward a fair settlement. You can use your settlement to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more.
*What is a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?*A slip and fall lawsuit is a common type of premise liability claim. This occurs when a member of the public becomes injured due to the negligence of a property owner. In the context of a slip and fall, this usually means that the property owner has allowed hazardous walking conditions to manifest on their premises. Examples include:
- Icy sidewalks and parking lots
- Snowy sidewalks and parking lots
- Liquid spills on the premises
- Debris left scattered across floors
- Broken staircases
- Dimly-lit hallways and stairwells
- Uneven ground
*How Do You Prove Negligence?*In order to prove that a property owner is liable for your injuries, you need to consider the four basic elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: First, you need to show that the property owner actually had a responsibility to keep you safe. If you were injured at a major store like Walmart, Target, or Home Depot, this should be easy.
- Breach of Duty: You also need to prove that the defendant actually breached their duty of care. For example, they might have left a spill unattended for a long period of time.
- Causation: Next, you will need to show that your injuries were the direct result of this breach of duty. For example, if you slipped on a slippery floor, you cannot say that your injury was caused by ice in the parking lot.
- Damages: Finally, you will need to prove that injuries actually occurred. This is relatively easy if you get the medical treatment you need and collect the resulting medical records.
*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today*If you have been searching for a personal injury attorney in Mercer Island, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. Over the years, we have assisted numerous injured plaintiffs in Washington state, and we can help you, too. Remember, the statute of limitations can prevent you from suing if you wait too long. It is best to get started as soon as possible with an effective action plan. Internet research can only get you so far, so book your consultation today and take action.
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Posted Friday, May 13, 2022 by
Chris Thayer
If you were injured in a single-vehicle crash in Bellevue, you might be dealing with serious injuries. Perhaps you require months of hospital treatment, and you might be facing a long stint of missed wages. These financial concerns may make your future seem bleak, and you may be looking for any possible method to deal with these issues and recover some kind of compensation. But can you sue after a single-vehicle crash in Bellevue?
In order to answer this question, you will probably need to book a consultation with a qualified personal injury attorney in Bellevue. With help from our legal professionals, you can strive for compensation for your losses. Although suing after a single-vehicle crash can be tricky in Washington, there may be certain steps you can take to recover compensation. The only way to find out for sure is to meet with a lawyer. Internet research can only get you so far.
*An Example of a Single-Vehicle Crash in Washington*On May 24th of 2022, it was reported that a man had been seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash in Bellevue. The crash was so intense that the vehicle’s engine was ejected from its housing before being hurled across two lanes of traffic. The engine was eventually found on the complete opposite side of the road. As you might expect, the driver also suffered serious injuries and had to be cut out of the vehicle by firefighters. Although it was initially reported that no other vehicles were involved in this incident, a full investigation was nevertheless launched.
*Washington is an At-Fault State*Washington is considered an “at-fault” state when it comes to car accidents. Because of this, it can be difficult to recover compensation if you were injured in a single-vehicle crash. In order to sue, you first need to hold someone else liable for your injuries. This also means that you have to prove negligence. If there was no one else involved in your crash, then you cannot hold anyone else accountable for your injuries. In other words, you cannot sue for a single-vehicle accident.
*When Can You Sue for a Single-Vehicle Crash?*With that being said, there may be a few instances in which suing could be possible. For example, you might have crashed due to poorly maintained roads or confusing road signs. In this situation, you could theoretically sue the government for your crash. You might also sue another driver if they were driving erratically, causing you to swerve and crash without actually hitting any other vehicles.
*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today*If you have been searching for an experienced personal injury attorney in Bellevue, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. Over the years, we have assisted numerous injured plaintiffs in Washington. We know that car accidents can be especially traumatic, whether there were other vehicles involved or not. You deserve the chance to explore your legal options, so book your consultation today and get started with an effective action plan.
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Posted Friday, May 6, 2022 by
Chris Thayer
When you get into a crash with another driver in Issaquah, the process is relatively straightforward. Since Washington is an at-fault state, you would get in touch with an attorney and sue the negligent driver who caused your crash. What happens if your accident was caused by a government agency rather than another driver like you? This can complicate matters considerably, and you need to approach this situation carefully, and with some help.
The best way to do this is by getting in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney in Issaquah. With our help, you can strive for a settlement for everything you have been forced to endure. Although suing the government is not easy, the various hurdles can be overcome with the right legal assistance. Once you receive a settlement, you can pay off medical expenses, lost wages, and many other damages.
*An Example of an Injury Involving a Government Agency*On April 15th of 2022, it was reported that a woman had been killed after a collision with a Department of Transportation trailer. The individual apparently drifted onto the shoulder while driving on Interstate 90. Before she could react, her car impacted a WSDOT work trailer. The woman was instantly killed in the collision. WSDOT workers witnessed the incident while working on the shoulder, although no one else was harmed.
*When Can I Sue a Government for a Car Crash?*The most obvious example of a government-related auto accident lawsuit is when your car is hit by a vehicle operated by a government agency. This might be a police vehicle, an ambulance, a fire truck, a postal truck, or any other vehicle that fits under that general category.
You might also have the ability to sue if you can prove your accident was caused by unsafe, improperly maintained, or confusing roads. For example, a road filled with massive potholes may have caused you to lose control and hit a tree. Or perhaps a confusing sign directed you into incoming traffic.
*Issues Related to Suing Government Agencies*As previously alluded to, the process of suing a government agency for injuries is slightly more complex compared to a typical lawsuit between two normal drivers. In order to move forward with your lawsuit, you must first file a claim with the Washington State Office of Risk Management – otherwise known simply as the “ORC.” You then must wait 60 days before filing a lawsuit. During this 60–day period, the government will investigate the matter, most likely offering you a settlement for your damages.
*Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today*If you have been searching the Issaquah area for a personal injury attorney, look no further than Pivotal Law Group. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs in Washington, and we know that auto accidents can cause life-changing, devastating injuries. With our assistance, you can strive for a fair, adequate settlement that covers medical expenses, missed wages, and a range of economic damages. Book your consultation today to get started on an effective action plan.
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