It is never required to hire a lawyer. However, there are advantages to hiring a lawyer which include a familiarity with the claims process, value of case and how to navigate the process.

Certainly. If a case is small or not complex, paying a lawyer may not make financial sense. Most people who suffered repeated medical treatment or long-term injuries recover more money, even after attorney fees, by hiring a lawyer.

There are a number of things to be aware of when handling the claim on your own, such as making sure medical provider bills and health insurer liens are repaid. Additionally, if you make an offer to an insurance company, it is entered into your claim file and if you hire an attorney later, it may make his or her negotiations more difficult.

This question requires an experienced lawyer to evaluate the facts of your case. Washington and Oregon have different time frames for bringing a case. Different types of cases have different limitations, such as 1 year in Oregon for most intentional acts. Additionally, public agencies may require notice as soon as six months after the injury! There are facts which may extend the deadlines such as being a minor, the death of the victim, or lack of discovery of the injury. If you are not sure, it is better to contact an experienced lawyer early so that you do not risk losing the ability to bring a claim forever.

If you do not recover, Rose Legal does not charge a fee. Michael Rose only represents clients on a contingency. This means he only takes the clients and cases that he believes he can help. A contingency fee means that the lawyer is paid a percentage of any money recovered. Rose Legal charges 33% contingency if a case settles before filing a lawsuit or formal arbitration. This fee goes up after filing a lawsuit to 39%. Any out of pocket expenses are also repaid only out of the recovery. The fee agreement controls exactly how and when a lawyer gets paid, you should be able to obtain a copy of the fee agreement to review with the lawyer prior to signing.

No. The first person calling is usually the other insurance company's claim adjuster trying to find out information to reduce the value of your claim. You can always tell them you will contact them when you are ready to speak, or give them the name and number of your attorney.

In most circumstances, yes. Your own insurance company has a contractual right to take your statement about the incident and if you do not do so, they may cut off medical payments or coverage under the insurance contract. You can schedule a time that is more convenient for you, or when you are ready to talk with your attorney present.

Oregon and Washington law set out minimum coverage for policies int heir states. This does not guarantee there will be enough money to cover the bills, lost wages and injuries you have suffered. An experienced attorney will help explain how your coverage and that of other involved parties/vehicles overlaps or adds to potential money to cover your claim.

This is personal injury protection coverage. It is a no fault coverage on all Oregon and most Washington auto policies. Motorcycle policies and some states allow you to choose not to have PIP coverage. An experienced attorney will get a copy of your actual insurance policy to find out what coverage, and in what circumstances, you may have additional coverage-even if your insurance company says you don't!

Priority of insurance policies depends on many facts. There may be several coverages "stacking" on top of each other to provide more money for health care and wage losses, as well as more coverage for all losses and pain you suffered. An experienced attorney will help you understand how all of the insurance policies will work to cover your losses.

In nearly every setting, even if you do not have auto insurance and you are hurt, you can make a claim against the driver of the vehicle that hurt you. Oregon (but not Washington) does restrict your ability to make a claim for damages if you are driving without insurance in some, but not all, situations. An experienced attorney will help you understand how all of the insurance policies will work to cover your losses.

Commercial truck drivers are subject to a number of additional laws and record keeping requirements. Unfortunately, many records can be destroyed within six months. These frequently contain vital information to proving the driver and company violated safety regulations putting the public at risk. Contact an experienced commercial trucking lawyer right away so that the evidence you need in your case will be preserved.

Depending on whether a driver follows long-haul or local routes, state and federal rules regulate licensing, training, hours on the road per day, log books, and even the safety equipment on the vehicle. Also, many commercial trucking incidents need to be reported to the department of transportation which can demonstrate a history of unsafe practices by a particular driver or company. Many of these records can be destroyed after six months. Contact an experienced commercial trucking lawyer right away so that the evidence you need in your case will be preserved.

Commercial truck cases often involve questions and law related to federal trucking regulations. The trucking companies and their insurance companies hire national firms that specialize in defending cases against hurt individuals. These cases are complex and demand the right attorney with the resources, knowledge and will to fight for your recovery.

While medical malpractice is considered the same as "negligence" by any other person that causes harm, there are important differences in reality. These case often arise from life changing-or ending-mistakes that devastate the health and financial well-being of entire families. To prove a case, most often experts must testify in court that the standards of the medical community were violated and that this violation caused harm. Few attorneys have the specialized knowledge, experience and resources required to successfully review and bring a malpractice claim. Michael Rose has reviewed, brought and tried more medical malpractice cases in Oregon and SW Washington than nearly any lawyer practicing today.

Pharmacy errors are a known problem with our health care system. The modern monopolies have replaced the neighborhood pharmacy with unfortunate results. If you have been harmed by a pharmaceutical error, contact an experienced malpractice lawyer.

Frequently, when a hospital or medical facility knows it made a mistake, it will attempt to make the problem go away cheaply. The risk manager of a hospital is frequently a lawyer who has one client-the hospital. It is their desire to resolve a claim by paying as little as possible. While I am fully in favor of people attempting to solve problems without the legal system, please understand that the risk-manager is not there to help you and should be viewed as someone with interests that are not the same as yours.

Insurance companies spend considerable time and money determining how to make people drop their claims or accept less than their claims are worth. The adjuster may try to make you feel that you are committing fraud or shouldn't seek medical treatment-merely because you had the misfortune of being hurt through no fault of your own.

Many people are surprised to learn that the insurance company they have been paying premiums to for years or even decades is not helpful now that they are really hurt and need coverage. Despite the cheerful slogans, insurance companies view you as the problem once you are severely hurt through no fault of your own. There are several steps you can take to protect yourself: insist on knowing what your coverage will pay for; do not feel threatened into going away without the coverage you have paid for; and, contact an experienced lawyer for assistance in dealing with the uncooperative insurance company.

In many type of cases, an injured person can recover some or all of their attorney fees if there is misconduct by the insurance company handling your claim. Some examples include the failure to offer arbitration on your own policy disputes or abusive tactics during the claim process. Experienced lawyers navigate the claim process to put clients in the best possible position to obtain reimbursement of fees-leaving more to go to their clients.