Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to questions frequently encountered at the Bradley G. Davis Law Office PLLC, as we help individuals in Seattle, King County, and throughout Washington State with personal injury or employment law matters. It is not always easy to know what to do if you have been injured in an accident, harassed at work or fired; protecting your legal rights may not be the first thing on your mind. We understand your feelings and the physical and emotional pain you are going through. Hopefully, the information below will help answer some of your questions. If you have other questions, or need advice and representation in a particular matter, please contact the Bradley G. Davis Law Office PLLC for a free consultation and immediate assistance.

Personal Injury FAQs

Q. Do I need an attorney to help me with my auto accident claim? Can't I just work with the insurance company?

A. It is true that most auto accident claims settle without going to trial. However, trying to accomplish this settlement without being represented by an attorney is almost always a mistake. As a law firm that regularly handles automobile accident claims, we know what your claim is worth and how much to expect as a fair and reasonable settlement. You are more likely to receive a favorable settlement that fully compensates you for your damages when you are represented by a knowledgeable, experienced attorney who is prepared to take the case to trial.

Q. What do I do if I have been injured in a car accident?

A. Of course, the primary consideration is that you seek all necessary medical attention for yourself and others who have been injured, whether that involves seeking or administering first aid or calling 9-1-1. While you are at the scene, if possible exchange information with the other driver, including contact information and insurance policy information. Also, take pictures of the accident from all angles, including damage to the vehicles and injuries.

Follow up with your own personal physician as soon as possible; some injuries are not immediately apparent and thorough diagnostic testing may be advisable. If you were not present when the police arrived at the scene, try to obtain a copy of the accident report and review it for accuracy. The police may only have interviewed the other driver if you were not in a condition to speak with them, and they may only have heard one side of what occurred.

Contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney will begin immediately investigating the accident and collecting and preserving evidence, while making sure that important rights are not waived. Do not agree to or sign any documents from the insurance company until you have talked to a lawyer.

Q. What if I am injured on the job?

A. In most work-related injuries, the workers' compensation system will compensate you for your injury according the statutory amount scheduled for your particular injury. Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible, and seek medical diagnosis and treatment right away. You may be entitled to other government benefits as well, such as social security disability.

There are times when workers' compensation is not the exclusive recourse to recover compensation. You may have been injured in a case of third-party liability, where a defective product or other person not directly related to the employer caused your injury. In that case, you may sue the responsible party directly in addition to any workers' compensation claim you may be able to file. Speak to an attorney first who can advise you on the nature of your claim.

Employment Law FAQs

Q. What do I do if I feel I have been discriminated against or harassed at work?

A. In most instances, the first step is to file with the appropriate state or federal agency, such as the EEOC. That agency has a period of time to investigate the matter, after which they will either bring an enforcement action or issue a right to sue letter. Once you have received that letter, you will have a certain time frame within which to bring a civil lawsuit, if you so choose.

Claims must initially be reported within a relatively short time frame after the incident. In some cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit directly without first filing a claim with the government. Talk to an attorney as soon as possible to make sure the claim is filed properly and that your rights are protected throughout the process.

Q. Can my boss fire me for any reason? Can I be let go without cause?

A. Many employment situations are in fact at-will, which means that you can be fired at any time for a good reason, a bad reason, or no reason at all. You also have the right to quit at any time for any reason. There are two things to consider in this context. The first is that you cannot be fired for an illegal reason, such as unlawful discrimination or in retaliation for filing a disability claim or whistleblowing about unsafe procedures in the workplace. The second factor is that you may be a contractual employee and not at-will, in which case you can only be terminated according to the terms of the contract. At-will employment can be lost by more than a formal written contract; a statement in an employee handbook or policy manual may be enough to require cause before you can be fired. If you have been terminated, contact an attorney to help you determine your rights.