Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Injury FAQ – Amy C Brown Law, Everett, WA
Car Crashes
Car crashes in Washington State often lead to medical expenses, lost wages, and pain from negligence. I assist victims in proving fault, navigating insurance, and securing compensation via free consultations on a contingency basis.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents from unsafe premises like wet floors or uneven sidewalks cause injuries with a three-year statute of limitations in Washington, requiring quick evidence gathering and expert help from Amy C. Brown to prove negligence and recover damages.
Maritime Injuries
Maritime workers on vessels face risks protected by laws like the Jones Act for negligence claims, and Amy C. Brown Law provides free consultations to help injured seamen in Washington and Alaska recover medical costs, lost wages, and more.


Experience You Can Trust
After graduating with honors from Seattle University School of Law over ten years ago, where I served as an intern for a federal judge in the Western District of Washington, I worked at a law firm representing prominent national clients. This experience provided me with valuable insight into insurance company strategies, enabling me to build compelling cases for my clients to maximize their settlement outcomes.
What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident?
Request emergency services if needed. Take pictures of the hazard that caused the fall, ask witnesses for their contact information, retain copies of all medical documentation related to your injuries, and retain a skilled slip and fall lawyer to protect your rights and help prove liability.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Washington State?
In Washington State, you generally have three years from the date of the injury to file a claim.
Who is liable in a slip and fall accident in Washington State?
Property owners or municipalities are legally obligated to keep their premises safe. They may be liable if they knew or should have reasonably known about a dangerous condition (such as hazards on sidewalks, in apartments, elevators, hotels, stairwells, or supermarkets) and failed to repair or remove it, resulting in your injury.
Why is it important to act quickly after a slip and fall?
Evidence can disappear over time (e.g., hazards get fixed, witnesses forget details), and the three-year statute of limitations means delays could forfeit your right to compensation. Contacting a lawyer early helps preserve proof and build a strong case.
What are common causes of slip and fall accidents?
Slip and falls often result from dangerous premises conditions, including hazards on sidewalks, in apartments, elevators, hotels, stairwells, supermarkets, or other properties where owners fail to maintain safe grounds.
Do I need a lawyer for a slip and fall claim?
While not required, an experienced attorney like Amy C. Brown can significantly improve your outcome by proving liability, dealing with insurance companies, and maximizing your settlement—especially on a contingency basis with no upfront fees.
How can Amy C. Brown Law help with my case?
Amy C. Brown offers a free initial consultation to review your case with no obligation. With her experience, she can help gather evidence, prove negligence, handle insurance negotiations, and secure fair compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and more—so you can focus on recovery.
What should I do immediately after a car crash?
Ensure everyone’s safety first—call 911 if anyone is injured, move to a safe location if possible, and exchange information with the other driver (names, contact info, insurance details, license plate numbers). Take photos of the scene, vehicles, injuries, and any road conditions. Seek medical attention even if you feel okay, as some injuries may not show immediately. Then, contact a personal injury attorney like Amy C. Brown for guidance on protecting your rights.
Do I need a lawyer for a car crash claim in Washington?
While not always required, hiring an experienced car crash attorney can significantly increase your chances of a fair settlement. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims. Amy C. Brown Law handles the negotiations, gathers evidence, and fights for the compensation you deserve—on a contingency basis, meaning no fees unless you win.
What types of compensation can I recover after a car crash?
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and in severe cases, punitive damages. We work to ensure all damages are accounted for, including those from minor crashes that still cause significant impact.
How long do I have to file a car crash claim in Washington State?
In Washington, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including car crashes, is three years from the date of the accident. It’s best to contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and meet all deadlines.
What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
Washington requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply. Amy C. Brown can review your policy, pursue your insurance company, and help maximize recovery from available sources.
What if I was partially at fault in the car crash?
Washington follows a “comparative negligence” rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault—as long as your fault is less than 100%. Your award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. We evaluate fault carefully to protect your claim.
How does Amy C. Brown Law help with car crash cases?
With over 10 years of experience defending insurance companies before switching to plaintiff-side work, Amy understands their tactics and knows how to counter them. She handles every aspect of your case personally, from investigation to negotiation or trial if needed, so you can focus on recovery. We offer free case reviews with no obligation.
What evidence should I gather after a car crash?
Photos/videos of the accident scene and damages, witness contact information. I can help with medical records, police reports, repair estimates, and proof of lost wages. Moreover, I can obtain additional evidence like traffic camera footage or expert accident reconstruction if necessary.
What types of maritime injuries do you handle?
I represent clients injured in maritime occupations, including commercial fishing, ferry crew, port and pier work, cruise ships, offshore operations, fish processing, tug and barge operations, merchant mariners, and factory trawlers. Common causes include slips/trips/falls, equipment failures, human error, environmental conditions, chemical exposure, fires/explosions, and lack of safety measures.
What legal protections are available for maritime workers?
Key protections include the Jones Act for seamen (allowing negligence claims, maintenance for living expenses, and cure for medical costs), the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) for non-seamen (covering lost wages, medical benefits, rehabilitation, and disability/death benefits), General Maritime Law for unseaworthiness claims, the Washington State Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) for safety standards and training, and the Washington State Workers’ Compensation Act for no-fault coverage including medical treatment and wage replacement.
Who qualifies as a seaman under the Jones Act?
A seaman is someone who spends significant time on vessels in navigable waters and can file negligence claims against employers for injuries due to unsafe conditions, lack of equipment, insufficient training, or crew errors.
What is the statute of limitations for maritime injury claims?
For Jones Act claims, it’s typically three years from the injury date; for LHWCA claims, it’s one year from the accident date. It’s important to consult a lawyer promptly to avoid forfeiting rights.
What should I do if I’m injured in a maritime accident?
Report the injury to your employer, seek immediate medical treatment, gather evidence such as accident reports and witness statements, and contact a maritime injury lawyer to determine applicable laws, prove liability, and calculate damages including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Can peace officers sue for injuries from on-duty crashes in Washington State?
Yes—many officers believe they’re limited to workers’ compensation, but in Washington State, you can pursue civil claims against at-fault parties, including criminals and their insurers, for full compensation beyond basic benefits. I have successfully represented LEOs. Just because you wear a badge doesn’t mean you can’t be a victim or Vehicle #2.
What are the limitations of workers’ compensation for injured first responders?
Workers’ compensation covers medical care and partial wage replacement (often 60-75% of earnings), with presumptions for conditions like PTSD. However, it typically excludes pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future medical needs that may arise later.
Why should a peace officer pursue a civil claim after an on-duty collision?
A civil claim supplements workers’ compensation by recovering non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional distress. It also addresses long-term issues (e.g., chronic pain or TBI) and has no upfront costs on a contingency basis.
Are other first responders able to make a claim?
Yes, firefighters and EMS workers are able to file a claim similarly to peace officers. Give me a call and we can discuss your options.
What is the legal basis for suing after a first responder crash?
Peace officers retain tort rights—if a criminal’s reckless or intentional actions cause injury (e.g., during a pursuit), you can file negligence or assault claims. Officer immunity protections don’t prevent you from suing; they limit defenses for the at-fault party.
How does contingency fee work for first responder injury claims?
You pay nothing upfront—fees are only deducted as a percentage from your successful settlement or award, reducing financial stress while you recover.
Can I recover compensation if injured while intervening in a pursuit?
Absolutely—in one case I handled, a Washington State peace officer injured during a lawful intervention secured a six-figure settlement from the suspect’s insurer, covering damages beyond workers’ compensation.
Why choose Amy C. Brown Law for a first responder crash case?
With over ten years of experience, including defense-side insight to counter insurance tactics, I handle your case personally. I’ve won six-figure settlements for officers and offer free consultations—no large firm delegation, just dedicated support.
How long do I have to file a claim for a first responder injury in Washington?
The statute of limitations is generally three years from the injury date, but exceptions apply. Contact me as soon as possible to preserve evidence and protect your rights—delays can jeopardize your claim. Call (425) 675-1224 today.
Will I Get More Money If I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Crash?
Yes—hiring an experienced car crash attorney can significantly increase your settlement. According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), a nonprofit supported by the insurance industry, claimants with attorneys receive settlements 3.5 times higher on average than those without representation—even after attorney fees. A separate Martindale-Nolo survey found that injury victims with lawyers averaged $77,600 in payouts, compared to just $17,600 for those handling claims alone, with 91% of represented victims receiving compensation versus 51% without.
Insurance companies often minimize offers to unrepresented victims, but with a skilled attorney like me—drawing from over ten years of experience—I negotiate aggressively, gather strong evidence, and fight for full compensation covering medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. On a contingency basis, you pay nothing upfront. Contact Amy C. Brown Law today at (425) 675-1224 for a free consultation—let’s secure the recovery you deserve.
Contact Me Today
Injury claims have a statute of limitations. It is important to discuss your options as soon as possible after you’re injured.
You Don’t Pay Unless We Win
Call or Text me at 425-675-1224
Email me at amy@amycbrownlaw.com
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