A Personal Injury/Wrongful Death Law Firm for Enumclaw and All of King County

Visitors who have heard the rumor that Enumclaw, Washington’s distinctive name is derived from a Native American word meaning “house of evil spirits” might be amused to discover that backgroundcheck.org rated Enumclaw the third-safest city in the entire state of Washington, based on FBI crime statistics and independent research. Apparently, any “evil spirits” were banished from the area long ago! Even the official Enumclaw website’s alternative translation, “thundering noise,” seems to belie the town’s tranquil small-town environment.

Fortunately for residents and visitors, “tranquil” in Enumclaw’s case doesn’t mean boring. Located on the volcano-created Enumclaw Plateau, about 25 miles from majestic Mt. Rainier and 45 miles from Seattle, the town is known for its cultural offerings and its proximity to stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreational activities, and the urban conveniences of the Seattle metro area. Tourism is a major industry because of the town’s status as the gateway to both Mt. Rainier National Park and the Crystal Mountain ski resort.

When Paradise Turns into Catastrophe

The magic of Enumclaw, with the ever-present Mt. Rainier towering in the background, can distract from hidden dangers that lurk in even the most spectacular environments. A catastrophic accident can turn paradise into hell at any given moment for the unfortunate few. The situation becomes even more tragic if the accident was an avoidable consequence for someone else’s negligence or criminal behavior.

Washington state’s personal injury and wrongful death law offers compensation for victims who can prove their case. Proving the case, however, is the hard part, and it is not a burden you should be carrying alone while at the same time attempting to recover from the physical and emotional shock of a serious accident. Fortunately, the professional personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, PLLC enjoy long track records of helping clients with their cases and obtaining every penny of the compensation that they deserve. Time is of the essence when a catastrophic accident occurs. Contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, PLLC today at 1-800-925-1875, or fill out our online contact form (scroll down to the bottom of any page on our website) so that we can schedule a free initial consultation as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I sue a trucking company or a courier service if their driver caused an accident that injured me?

Sometimes. If the driver was an employee of the company, his or her employer is generally responsible for the financial consequences of any on-the-job misconduct. If he or she was an “independent contractor,” on the other hand, the company is usually not held liable. The determination of who is an employee and who is an independent contractor is not determined by the employer – it is determined by a court based on how much independence the driver enjoyed from the company in daily activities. Obviously, if the driver was uninsured or underinsured, it will be a major advantage to be able to sue the company which he or she worked for, due to their “deep pockets” ability to pay.

If I was hit by a drunk driver, can I sue the bar that sold him or her alcohol?

Yes, in fact you can sue both the bar and the bartender under Washington’s dram shop law (as the employer of the bartender, the bar is responsible for the bartender’s negligence under the same principle discussed in the previous question above). You can win the lawsuit if you can prove that (i) the driver’s intoxication caused the accident and (ii) the bar continued to sell him or her alcohol even after the individual became visibly intoxicated. Suing the bar and the bartender does not preclude you from suing the driver, as well. Of course, a bar is a preferred defendant if for no other reason than the fact that a bar is likely to be able to afford to pay out a large judgment.

Can I file a claim if I suspect that my loved one died from nursing home neglect?

Yes, you can, at least if you are the spouse or child of the victim (parents and siblings may file a claim only if they were financial dependents of the victim). Since the nursing home has a positive duty to protect its patients, nursing home neglect is enough to establish a claim for wrongful death. Your claim will become stronger if you can prove that the nursing home violated a specific nursing home statute or regulation. The most difficult parts of the case might be (i) proving that the failure to take a certain action was inappropriate enough to constitute “neglect” and (ii) proving that your loved one would not have died had it not been for the nursing home’s negligence.

What If I’m Bitten by a Dog?

Washington State’s dog law is pretty straightforward. If you get bit by a dog, the dog’s owner is responsible for the injuries that their dog causes. It doesn’t matter if this was the first time the dog bit someone, the owner is still responsible. The only exceptions to this rule are if the dog was provoked or if the victim was illegally trespassing on the personal property when the attack occurred. For example, let’s say the victim jumped over a fence in someone’s backyard to try to steal something. If that person got bit by a dog, they wouldn’t be able to file a lawsuit against the homeowner.

Enumclaw is a great place to live and work. It’s a great place to have a dog as a pet, given the fact that there are many places where dogs can go and play. The Enumclaw Dog Park right off of Battersby Avenue is a wonderful off-lead dog park. But sometimes dog owners have breeds of dogs that have a tendency to be aggressive and may lash out. Also, some dog owners don’t train their pets very well or don’t restrain them or keep them on a leash when appropriate. These are when dogs can attack someone.

The CDC has found that there are more than 4 million dog bites every year. If you have unfortunately been made part of this number and have suffered a dog attack, you’re entitled to compensation for your injuries. The best way to get the most compensation for your injuries is to contact the Enumclaw dog bite lawyers as soon as possible.

Contact Us Today – Your Enumclaw Personal Injury Lawyers

Call us today at 1-800-925-1875 or complete our online contact form to schedule your free initial consultation, so that our personal injury lawyers in Enumclaw can discuss your case and advise you of your options.