Knowledgeable Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyers Serving WA

Des Moines, WA has much outdoor leisure activity and a lot of tourist and commuter traffic entering and leaving the area. It is not particularly surprising that area hospitals sometimes get busy with accident victims. While most of these accidents are of mild to moderate severity, some are catastrophic or even tragic. Victims are left reeling from physical and emotional trauma and, when death is the result, loved ones are left grieving. Truly, the aftermath of a tragic accident is no time to deal with financial concerns. Contacting the experienced and understanding Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC is a smart first step.

Nevertheless, it is often exactly this time that pressing financial issues cannot be ignored – medical bills mount, for example, while lost work time eats into your income stream. You may be entitled to compensation from another party who caused the accident, but legal rights are useless unless they are enforced. You need a lawyer to enforce your rights, and lawyers cost a lot of money – don’t they?

Although the personal injury/wrongful death lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC don’t work for free, we do charge for our services in a manner that ensures that you’ll be able to pay no matter how meager your financial resources. In a nutshell, you don’t owe us a dime unless you win, and we don’t get paid until and unless you do. That’s how confident we are of our ability to win your case. Meanwhile, we will handle your financial concerns for you – such as filing claims and dealing with insurance companies and healthcare providers – while you concentrate on recovery.

About Des Moines, Washington

Des Moines, Washington, a town of about 30,000 people situated on Puget Sound’s east shore between Tacoma and Seattle, is a recreational paradise for boaters and fishermen that is equipped with a large marina and a fishing pier. Town residents and visitors can also enjoy a long beachfront inside Saltwater State Park, as well as the boardwalk on Redondo Beach. Boating, fishing, bicycling, and hiking are popular outdoor activities that can be enjoyed most, if not all, of the year.

Because of Des Moines’ fortunate location, local and national transportation is unusually convenient for such a small community. Des Moines is located near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and King County is served by three major interstate highways – I-5, I-90 and I-405 – and five major state highways.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do I have to prove to win a personal injury case?

To win a personal injury case, you must prove that the defendant breached a duty of care to you – the defendant may have been endangering you by driving drunk, for example, or a doctor may have provided you with treatment that failed to meet a professional standard of care. Once you have proven this, you will need to prove that this “breach of duty” actually caused your injuries – even a DUI will not establish liability if the accident would have happened (with equal severity) had the defendant been sober.

Finally, you will have to prove the value of your damages. This element can be difficult to prove if, for example, your injuries will require a lifetime of care and you need to prove exactly how much this will cost you. Other components, such as pain and suffering, are inherently difficult to quantify.

What do I have to prove to win a wrongful death case?

In Washington, you can file a wrongful death case if you are the personal representative of the deceased accident victim’s estate, or if you are a qualifying relative (the victim’s spouse, for example). You must prove (i) wrongful conduct on the part of the defendant – reckless driving, for example (ii) the defendant’s wrongful conduct caused the deceased victim’s death and (iii) damages occurred. Of course, the fact of the victim’s death is almost always beyond dispute; however, it may be more challenging to prove, for example, the amount of the deceased victim lifetime lost earnings.

What is MMI?

MMI stands for “Maximum Medical Improvement.” Typically, your healthcare provider will issue a letter stating that you have reached MMI. Reaching MMI does not necessarily mean that you won’t have any more medical expenses – it just means that no significant improvement is expected. An MMI letter carries various legal consequences and is frequently an important factor in calculating the medical expenses component of your damages. Our helpful and highly knowledgeable Des Moines personal injury attorneys can answer your questions about all aspects of your personal injury claim.

What If I’m Bitten by a Dog?

Being a small suburb of Seattle, Des Moines is home to a lot of dog owners. Where there are a lot of dogs, there’s always the chance of dog attacks. Unfortunately, there are dog owners who keep dangerous dog breeds and don’t restrain them properly. When there are loose dogs running around the neighborhood and their owners are not controlling them, it is a recipe for somebody getting attacked and bitten by a dog.

Dog attacks can cause serious injuries. Sometimes the injuries require months or even years of treatment. Here are some of the common injuries we see in our Des Moines dog bite law practice:

  • Cuts and torn skin;
  • Torn and lacerated muscles, tendons, and ligaments;
  • Fractured bones, especially in the hands due to attempting to defend oneself;
  • Permanent scars; and
  • Mental injuries, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Under the law, victims of dog attacks are entitled to compensation for their injuries. They’re entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They also have the right to compensation for any permanent scarring that they have to endure for the rest of their lives.

Washington State law says that dog owners are responsible for any injuries their dog’s causes. The best way to hold them accountable is to contact the Des Moines dog bite lawyers. We’re here to fight for your right to be fully and fairly compensated for your injuries. We will answer all of your questions in an honest and compassionate manner. Our Des Moines dog bite attorneys know what it takes to successfully represent dog attack victims.

Let our Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyers in WA Help You!

Call our Des Moines Personal Injury Attorneys today at 1-800-925-1875 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.