People get hurt every day somewhere in the United States, and usually it turns out to be someone else’s fault. In such cases, this is referred to as a personal injury, and the matter will likely be dealt with in a civil courtroom. A Personal Injury Attorney in Gig Harbor, Washington helps clients who are involved in personal injury cases. However, clients should be aware of the laws concerning personal injuries in Washington.
Be Aware of How Much Time There is to File the Lawsuit
Clients who are intending to file a lawsuit for personal injury should be aware of the statute of limitations for doing such in Washington. That time period is three years from the date of the accident and injury. If the client fails to file the lawsuit in a Washington civil court in that time period, his or her case will most likely go unheard. Any opportunity to collect damages will also be gone.
What Happens if the Other Party Claims the Plaintiff was Partly at Fault?
In the course of pursuing the lawsuit, the filing party should realize that the other party may try to prove that the filing party was part to blame for the accident and injury. If this is found to be so, any amount of damages that will be awarded will be reduced by the amount the filing party was found at fault. This scary thought means that the plaintiff should ensure to get an attorney to help fight those claims.
What Happens if the Personal Injury Occurred with a Government Agency?
If the client is filing a lawsuit against a government entity, such as the state or county, a formal notice of claim must be filed with that entity in the three year period. The lawsuit cannot be filed until after 60 days of the filing of the claim. Hiring an attorney will help the client follow those guidelines.
A Law Firm That is Available
The Law Offices of Anthony C. Otto has been handling personal injury claims for clients in the Gig Harbor, Washington area for more than 37 years. If any potential clients are in need of a Personal Injury Attorney in Gig Harbor, the law offices are available. Visit Anthony C. Otto at the website.