Trusted Burien Personal Injury Attorneys Ready To Assist You

Burien, Washington, situated in King County on the Puget Sound waterfront amid breathtaking mountain views, must be doing something right. Its population has been growing explosively since its incorporation in 1993, adding 50 percent to its original total during its first 17 years of existence. In 2015, following further growth due to the development of Olde Burien, the Burien Town Square, and the annexation of part of North Highline, Burien’s population surged past the 50,000 mark.

Burien’s future looks bright, as well – the Puget Sound Regional Council recently named it one of its 25 Regional Growth Centers due to its high potential for long-term growth. Rapid growth, however, seems to have only added a dash of cosmopolitan flavor to Burien’s relaxed small-town atmosphere – indeed, the town is becoming particularly well-known to visitors from Seattle for its multi-ethnic cuisine.

With Seattle and Tacoma both within a half-hour’s drive, anything cosmopolitan that Burien might lack is never more than a short drive away. Meanwhile, Burien’s ethnically diverse population hasn’t forgotten to safeguard the town’s natural beauty. The Seahurst Shoreline Restoration Project is only one of many local environmental protection initiatives currently underway.

Expecting the Unexpected

Rapid growth brings problems as well as opportunities. A rise in traffic accidents has accompanied Burien’s increase in population, for example, while other types of dangers – such as defective drugs – can also result in catastrophic injury or death. In many cases, unfortunately, the person who causes an accident is not the person who suffers the consequences of it. When this happens, it is time to resort to the legal system to seek full compensation. This is not easy to do, however, without the assistance of a skilled personal injury or wrongful death lawyer.

Securing full compensation for our clients is what we do every day. Few law firms in the state of Washington have helped as many clients, settled as many claims or fought it out in court as many times as Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC has. Contact us today at 1-800-925-1875 and speak with a trusted at Burien personal injury lawyer, or fill out our online contact form so that we can schedule you a free consultation and begin building your case.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between a personal injury claim and a wrongful death claim?

In both cases, the claim is triggered by a personal injury – a fatal injury in a wrongful death claim, and a non-fatal injury in a personal injury claim. Since a deceased victim cannot file a personal injury claim, Washington allows the personal representative of the victim’s probate estate and the victim’s spouse and children to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Damages for wrongful death are calculated differently than damages in personal injury cases, because they include damages to close family members, such as loss of care and companionship. Some damages go to the deceased victim’s estate (medical bills, for example), while other damages go to close relatives.

Is it possible for me to receive punitive damages?

It depends on the facts of your case. Washington does allow punitive damages as long as:

  • The plaintiff was awarded ordinary compensatory damages;
  • The defendant’s conduct sprang from an evil motive or intent, or a callous disregard of the rights of others; and
  • The amount of the punitive damages awarded are reasonably related to the actual damages suffered by the plaintiff.

No court is obligated to award punitive damages – it is discretionary. An example of a case in which punitive damages might be awarded would be a drunken driving auto accident that caused serious injury or death. Let a dedicated Burien personal injury attorney help you with your case.

Can I be compensated for emotional damages?

Yes, in most cases of serious injury, you can be. In fact, in many cases, the amount of non-economic damages (i.e., emotional damages) exceeds the total of all economic damages combined. Several different types of non-economic damages are possible, depending on the circumstances. These types of non-economic damages include:

  • Pain and suffering,
  • Mental anguish,
  • Disability,
  • Other types of non-economic damages.

The amount you receive in non-economic damages is highly fact-dependent. An injury that involves debilitating physical pain, for example, will likely trigger a higher award for pain and suffering than an injury that is just as debilitating but not as painful. Likewise, an award for disability derived from an accident that put the plaintiff in a wheelchair is likely to be much higher if the plaintiff was an athlete before the accident than if the plaintiff had lived a sedentary lifestyle prior to the accident.

What should I do when I’m attacked by a dog?

Most people love dogs, and they are great to have as pets. But sometimes they can bite or violently attack people. A serious dog attack can cause serious injuries. Some dog attacks are so severe that they cause permanent injuries, such as disfiguring scarring. If you have been seriously injured in a dog attack, you’re entitled to compensation. We have been representing Burian dog bite victims for decades. Our Burien dog bite lawyers have successfully won personal injury damages for many victims, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

There have been several high-profile dog attacks in Burien over the last decade. In 2010, a woman’s face was mauled by a pitbull when its owners lost control of the dog. The woman suffered significant scarring and disfigurement that required multiple surgeries to repair. Several years later a man and his dogs were out for a jog when they were attacked by a pit bull and suffered multiple injuries. The pitbull in this case had a history of violence toward other people and dogs. Unfortunately in that case, the owner of the dog had no insurance and was actually living in a local park at the time of the attack.

The law states that dog owners are responsible for the injuries their dogs’ cause. Some dog owners fail to control their dogs with fences or leashes. But even if they take appropriate precautions, a dog owner can be responsible for injuries their dog causes. The only defenses a dog owner has are if their dog was provoked or if the victim was illegally trespassing on their property.

If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a dog attack, we are here to help you through this difficult time. We will use our knowledge, skills, and resources to fight to win the compensation you deserve. Contact the Burien dog bite attorneys at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC today.

Skilled Burien Personal Injury Lawyers on Your Side

Call our attorneys today at 1-800-925-1875 and speak with a highly experienced Burien personal injury attorneys, or complete our online contact form to schedule your free initial consultation, so that we can discuss your case and advise you of your options.