When you answer written discovery early in a lawsuit, your answers reflect what’s true on the day you sign them. But cases don’t stand still. You may get more treatment, your symptoms may change, or new evidence may come into your file months later. Washington’s rules don’t expect your original answers to freeze the case in place — they expect the record to keep up with...Read More
At some point in an injury claim, you may be asked to attend a medical examination arranged by an insurance company or by opposing counsel — commonly called an “IME.” The name can be a little misleading, since the examiner is chosen and paid by the other side rather than by you. Knowing what kind of examination you are dealing with, and what your rights are, takes much of the...Read More
Here’s a scenario that surprises many people: your PIP or health plan pays your medical bills after a crash, you later recover from the at-fault driver, and then you’re told some of that money has to be paid back. This is called reimbursement or subrogation, and it’s one of the least understood parts of an injury claim. Understanding it early helps you avoid unpleasant...Read More
The arbitration hearing is over, everyone logs off, and then — usually — nothing happens for a couple of weeks. That quiet stretch after the hearing can be unnerving if you do not know what to expect. Here is how the arbitrator’s decision, called the award, comes down, and what the days that follow actually involve.
Disclaimer: This post is intended for general informational purposes...Read More
Once a lawsuit is filed, one of the first substantial tasks you’ll face is answering interrogatories — written questions from the other side that you must respond to in writing, under oath. For many people this is their first real taste of litigation, and it can feel daunting. It doesn’t have to be. Most of what’s asked is straightforward background, and the guiding principle...Read More
When people think about an injury claim, they usually think about medical bills. But if your injuries kept you off the job, the income you lost is a real part of what you may be entitled to recover — and it is often the piece that is documented the most poorly. The good news is that with the right records, lost wages can be one of the more straightforward parts of a claim to prove.
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