Brett & Coats handles serious personal injury cases involving people badly injured in accidents caused by the negligence or reckless conduct of other persons. Serious personal injury cases typically involve death or injury caused by automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, railroad collisions, boating / maritime accidents or construction accidents. Injuries that may result include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, back & disc injuries and wrongful death.

“Personal injury" is the general title given to civil wrongs that cause bodily injury or harm. Responsibility for the harm can be assigned to an individual, group or corporation. The primary goals of personal injury law are to provide relief (damages) to the plaintiff and to deter the defendant from inflicting further harm to others.

The National Center for Injury Protection and Control reports that 31 million people are injured in accidents every year, and as many as 90,000 die as a result of these injuries. Victims suffer physical pain and mental trauma that may be permanent and life-changing. Physical personal injury can include disfigurement, loss of limb, permanent or disfiguring scars, disability, and loss of one of the five senses. Mental harm might include emotional trauma, mental anguish, embarrassment, loss of love and affection, or loss of enjoyment. Whether your injuries were caused by an accident, malicious intent, or a defect in a product’s design, production or labeling, you have the right to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages by filing a claim against the party at fault.

In the state of Washington, you must prove that you have been injured by another party’s careless or reckless actions to win a personal injury claim. Plaintiffs can file one of several types of torts against defendants, including:

• Negligence - an individual’s act or failure to act has caused injury. While the act may be unintentional, the defendant is still liable for damages.
• Strict liability - generally applies to product liability, which are claims filed against manufacturers and suppliers for dangerous products that cause injury.
• Intentional misconduct - is the malicious or intentional infliction of harm that results in an injury or death. This type of claim is litigated under criminal law and punishment can include prison.
• Comparative negligence - because the actions of the injured person may have contributed to his own harm, the negligence is divided between the injured party and the defendant and the damages are reduced accordingly.

Each of these types of claims has its’ own merits, diverse rules, restrictions and damage award guidelines. The lawyers of Brett & Coats are well-versed in Washington’s complex personal injury laws, the court system, and individual rights, and can effectively prove your physical and/or mental injury under state laws.

In order for a plaintiff to recover damages, a skilled attorney will prove the critical elements of negligence, including:

1. The defendant had a duty to you.
2. The defendant failed in that duty.
3. You were injured because of the defendants’ breach of duty and damages resulted from the injury.

Once your attorney proves negligence, you will be awarded damages.

To review the experience of Brett & Coats PLLC in personal injury cases, please see:

• $1.75 million settlement obtained by Brett & Coats LLP for a physician injured in a high-speed, roll-over, freeway accident.
• $3.5 million settlement obtained by Brett & Coats LLP for a client injured when hit by a WATCO locomotive.
• $490,000 settlement obtained by Brett & Coats LLP for a marathoner who was seriously injured by a car driver who fell asleep at the wheel.

Personal injury law is complex and negligence can be difficult to prove. Only an experienced personal injury attorney can successfully prepare and present the facts of your case to ensure that you receive fair compensation. If you have been injured or are the survivor of a deceased accident victim, it is important that you act quickly because of the Statute of Limitations.
Do not permanently lose your right to file a claim. We offer a free initial evaluation of your claim. You may be entitled to compensation. Our attorneys will negotiate a prompt, fair and just settlement or fight aggressively to ensure that you receive full maximum compensation in accordance with the law.

At Brett & Coats, our attorneys give proactive attention to the needs of each client. We help by coordinating medical payments, organizing documentation and supporting each client through the sometimes difficult claims process. Since insurance companies know our firm's determination to litigate cases when a settlement offer is inadequate, we are usually able to resolve serious personal injury claims through negotiation. Call the attorneys at Brett & Coats PLLC today at 1-800-925-1875 or contact us via our online form.