Answers To Common Questions About Injury Claims In Washington, DC
Straight answers about what to do after an accident or work injury, what it costs to work with us and how the claim process unfolds. If your question is not here, call us. The consultation is free and confidential.
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Every case is different and no outcome can be guaranteed. Your consultation is free, and you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Find The Answers You Need
Questions are grouped by topic. Every answer is general information, not legal advice about your case; the consultation is where we apply it to your situation.
General Injury Claim Questions
The questions people ask first after an accident or a work injury. Jump to this section.
Questions About Working With Us
What to expect from the first call through the end of your case. Jump to this section.
How The Claim Process Works
What happens after you hire us, and how long it takes. Jump to this section.
General Injury Claim Questions
The questions people ask first after an accident or a work injury.
Do I have a case?
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury and you have medical records documenting it, you may have a claim. The only way to know is to review the facts. Our consultation is free, confidential and carries no obligation, and we give you an honest assessment.
What should I do immediately after an accident?
Get medical care the same day, report the incident to the police, the property owner or your employer, photograph the scene and your injuries, collect the names of witnesses, and keep every document. Do not give a recorded statement to an insurer or sign anything before speaking with an attorney. Each of our service pages has a step-by-step list for that type of accident.
What if I was partly at fault?
Shared fault rules can affect a claim, and insurers frequently argue that you contributed to the accident in order to reduce or deny payment. Do not accept that argument on your own. The facts are often different from the insurer’s version, and an attorney can evaluate how the rules apply to your situation.
What is my case worth?
No attorney can tell you that honestly at the first meeting, and no result can be promised. The value of a claim depends on the injury, the treatment you need now and in the future, your lost income, the effect on your daily life and the insurance available. We explain the categories of compensation on every service page and review them with you once the medical picture is clear.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Deadlines apply to every injury claim, and they vary with the type of claim and who is responsible. Claims against government entities have much shorter notice requirements, and workers’ compensation has its own reporting rules. Evidence also disappears quickly. Contact us as soon as possible so no deadline is missed.
Does my immigration status matter?
Injured people can generally seek compensation regardless of immigration status, and everything you tell us is confidential. Speak with an attorney about your specific situation before assuming you are not protected.
Should I talk to the insurance company?
You may need to notify your own insurer of an accident, but you are not required to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurer, and you should not sign any release or accept any settlement before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to find reasons to reduce your claim.
How do I know which type of claim I have?
Injuries caused by another person or business are personal injury claims. Injuries at work are usually workers’ compensation claims, sometimes with an additional claim against a third party. Injuries involving public agencies follow special rules. We sort that out at the consultation; you do not need to know the category before calling.
Questions About Working With Us
What to expect from the first call through the end of your case.
How much does the consultation cost?
Nothing. The initial consultation is free and confidential, by phone or at our office at 1717 Pennsylvania Ave NW in Washington, DC, and there is no obligation to hire us afterward.
How do you charge if you take my case?
Injury and workers’ compensation cases are handled on a contingency basis. You pay nothing up front, and no attorney fee is owed unless we recover compensation for you. The fee arrangement is explained in writing before you sign anything.
What should I bring to the consultation?
Anything you have: the police or incident report, photographs, the names of witnesses, insurance information for everyone involved, medical records and bills, letters from insurers, and pay records if you have missed work. If you do not have these yet, come anyway; we help you gather them.
Will I work with an attorney directly?
Yes. You meet with an attorney, and you can reach your legal team with questions throughout the case. We explain each step in plain language and keep you informed about what is happening and what comes next.
Do you handle cases outside Washington, DC?
Our office is in Washington, DC. Many of our clients live or work in the surrounding region, and some claims involve more than one jurisdiction. Tell us where the injury happened and we will explain how we can help.
What if I already spoke to the insurer or signed something?
Contact us anyway. A statement or a signed form can complicate a claim, but it does not always end it. We review what was said or signed and advise you on the best path forward.
Can I switch attorneys if I am unhappy with my current one?
Generally yes. You have the right to choose your representation. If you are considering a change, we can explain how the transition works and whether it makes sense in your situation.
How The Claim Process Works
What happens after you hire us, and how long it takes.
What happens after I hire you?
We open the investigation, notify every insurer that you are represented so they stop contacting you directly, send preservation demands for evidence, and begin gathering records. You focus on treatment while we build the claim. Every service page describes this process for that type of case.
How long will my case take?
It depends on the severity of the injury, how long treatment lasts, how many parties are involved and whether the insurer negotiates in good faith. Claims should not be resolved until your doctors understand your prognosis, so the medical timeline drives the legal one. We give you a realistic expectation once we know your case.
Will I have to go to court?
Most claims are resolved through negotiation without a lawsuit. When an insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to file suit and take the case to court. Even after a lawsuit is filed, most cases settle before trial.
What is a demand letter?
A formal presentation of your claim to the insurer: the evidence of who was responsible, the medical documentation of your injuries and the compensation you are seeking. It opens negotiation and is prepared once your treatment and losses are documented.
What if the insurer denies my claim?
A denial is the insurer’s position, not a final ruling. Denied claims are challenged with evidence, through negotiation, formal hearings or litigation depending on the type of claim. Our denied workers’ compensation claims page explains that process for work injuries.
Who pays my medical bills while the case is pending?
It depends on the type of claim and the coverage available. Health insurance, auto medical coverage or workers’ compensation may pay treatment while the claim proceeds, and providers sometimes agree to wait for the resolution of the case. We help you sort out the options at the consultation.
How is a settlement paid out?
When a claim resolves, the settlement funds are received by the firm, outstanding medical liens and case costs are addressed, the attorney fee is deducted as agreed in writing, and the balance is paid to you with a full accounting.
Explore Our Practice Areas
Every practice area page includes its own FAQ, a step-by-step guide and an explanation of what a claim can include.
Car Accidents
Collisions caused by negligent, distracted and uninsured drivers. Learn more.
Truck Accidents
Commercial truck crashes and the federal rules that govern them. Learn more.
Workers’ Compensation
Benefits for injuries and conditions caused by your job. Learn more.
Slip And Fall
Injuries on unsafe property. Learn more.
Serious Injuries
Brain, spinal cord, neck and back and catastrophic injuries. Learn more.
Wrongful Death
Claims for families who have lost a loved one. Learn more.
Find Out If You Have A Case
Tell us briefly what happened. A member of our team will review your situation, explain your legal options clearly and answer your questions. There is no cost and no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
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- Confidential review of your case
- Your legal options explained clearly
- No fee unless we win your case
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