An artisanal law firm based in beautiful Port Townsend. Created by attorney and law professor, Denis Stearns, to provide real-world solutions to a wide range of challenges on behalf of businesses, non-profit organizations, and injured persons.
An artisanal law firm based in beautiful Port Townsend. Created by attorney and law professor, Denis Stearns, to provide real-world solutions to a wide range of challenges on behalf of businesses, non-profit organizations, and injured persons.
Although it is not impossible to handle negotiations with an insurance company on your own, it is probably not a good idea. That said, there are some situations where an attorney is needed more as a resource, rather than handling the matter from beginning to end. If your injuries are serious, and also involve potential disability or the need for longer-term care, then an attorney is definitely needed. But for a simple rear-end collision where you were hit by an uninsured driver and you will be looking to your own insurance company to pay, then sharing a big portion of your recovery with an attorney does not make a lot of sense. Regardless, though, always talk to an attorney to help you decide what to do. Denis will tell you how to handle things on your own if that will work best. Or he will work with you for a flat-fee if some help is needed, but not enough to justify a 35% contingency fee. The key is to find out what is best for your and your situation. So ask.
Nothing can be more frustrating that a deal gone bad, where you thought there getting one thing, and you ended up with something completely different (and something that you did not want). Sometimes situations like this end up being a life-lesson where the law does not offer any good remedies. But other times you have legal options where bad deal can be undone and the other side can be held to account. You will never know, however, unless you talk to an attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.
There are lots of resources available to individuals who want to start a new business. And a lot of things needed are things that can be done on your own, like going online and applying for a business license with the Washington Department of Revenue. But there are also important questions about what form of business is best, like being a sole proprietor versus being a limited-liability company. For that, getting advice is always a good idea, even though consulting an attorney is not the only way to get good advice. That is why I encourage folks to research and explore on their own first, talk to others who have started businesses, and work on creating a solid business plan. Then, once you have done that, feel free to reach out to Denis to go over what you have done and discuss next-steps. That initial consultation (even a long one) is always no-cost.
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Depending on the size and kind of business, you may have an insurance policy in place that entitles you to be defended by an attorney against a claim or lawsuit. Keep in mind, though, that the insurance company will decide what attorney to hire, and your insurance company will make the decisions about how to defend the claim or lawsuit. For that reason, if you own a business and you think you might be facing a lawsuit soon, it is a good idea to consult with an attorney to see what your options might be. Sometimes the lawsuit can be avoided by offering a compromise or settlement. Other times, the threat of lawsuit is frivolous and can be dealt with accordingly. But either way, Denis is happy to help you analyze the situation and decide on next-steps, usually as part of a no-cost initial consultation. So there's nothing to lose and much to gain by reaching out to Denis to get his advice on the situation.
If there is one kind of case that Denis has handled more than any other, it is cases involving food poisoning (also known as foodborne illnesses). Of course, if your own cooking is the culprit, you probably don't want to try to sue yourself. But if you think a purchased food-product is to blame, or a meal at some restaurant, then your first step (or second, really, after getting medical help if needed) is to contact the local health department to report your suspicion. Most people think that the last thing they ate before becoming sick is the cause of the sickness; however, that is not usually true. Moreover, if you do not know what bacteria or other pathogen made you sick, it is usually impossible to determine the cause of the sickness, which is why it is important to seek medical treatment to be tested and receive needed care. If you test positive for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, or some other pathogen, the results will be reported to the health department and an investigation is then likely to follow. But regardless of what happens, if you have questions about your legal rights, feel free to call Denis.
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