If you've been in a car crash and suffered a connective tissue injury (what insurance companies call "soft tissue injuries"), you shouldn't hesitate to speak with a lawyer.

Connective tissue injuries (what insurance companies call "soft tissue injuries") such as whiplash are incredibly common after an auto collision. However, it might take hours, days, or even weeks to realize that you’ve been injured. The longer it takes to diagnose an injury, the harder it can be to prove that the collision caused it. As a result, it can be challenging to successfully recover the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve suffered a connective tissue injury in an auto collision, you should not hesitate to speak with a lawyer. We know how much a connective tissue injury can interfere with your life. We also know how important money can be as you fight to get back on your feet. Our goal is to make sure that you’re fairly compensated for your injuries.

HOW DO AUTO COLLISIONS CAUSE CONNECTIVE TISSUE INJURIES? Connective tissue injuries are those that affect the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. When you’re in an auto collision, the force of impact can cause your body to overextend, stretch, or move in ways that aren’t natural. This overextension causes connective tissue damage.

Auto collisions can cause many different types of connective tissue injuries, including:

* Whiplash

* Sprains/Strains

* Contusions

* Brachial Plexus Lesions

* Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

* Tendinitis

* Bursitis, and

* Rotator Cuff Injuries

It’s important to be conscious of any side effects or pains that you experience in the days after a collision. If you believe that you’ve suffered a connective tissue injury, visit your doctor right away.

PROVING THAT YOUR COLLISION CAUSED YOUR INJURIES. You’re only entitled to compensation for injuries that were caused by the collision. Sometimes proving that a car crash caused an injury is straightforward. This typically happens when injuries–such as broken bones or amputated limbs–are visible and apparent immediately after a collision. There’s generally no question about whether or not the crash caused those injuries. Other times, it can be more difficult to establish a causal link between a collision and injury. This tends to happen when injuries aren’t visible or apparent right away. Since a connective tissue injury can take a while to manifest, it can be difficult to prove that the collision caused it.

An experienced lawyer will know how to handle these types of challenges. We know how to investigate your case and gather the evidence that’s necessary to establish a link between the collision and your injury. We’ll work closely with experts, including medical professionals and accident reconstructionists, to identify precisely how your injury was sustained.

UNDERSTANDING THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF YOUR INJURY. Most connective tissue injuries will heal in the months after your collision. During this time, you may not be able to work and bring in an income. If this is true, you have the right to obtain compensation from the person who caused your injury. You can request to be reimbursed for:

* Lost wages and income during your recovery

* Vacation and sick days, and

* Other benefits you were forced to use while recovering.

There may be times when a connective tissue injury lingers and does not heal. If this happens, your ability to work could be compromised for a long time. You didn’t ask to suffer a debilitating injury. You shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences on your own.

If your connective tissue injury results in a temporary or permanent disability, you may be entitled to damages for your reduced earning capacity. In other words, you can be compensated for the difference between what you would have earned without your injury and what you are capable of earning now.

It can be tough to know how much your personal injury case is worth. If you decide to pursue compensation on your own, an insurance company will probably have the final say. In turn, you probably will not be fully compensated for your injury. The best thing you can do is to hire an attorney to handle your case.

FILING A TIMELY PERSONAL INJURY CASE. You could miss out on the compensation you deserve if you wait too long to file your personal injury claim. The statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to initiate a legal claim after a collision. Generally speaking, in Washington you have three years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury claim; in Idaho, it's only two years.

If you or a loved one has suffered a connective tissue injury and would like to learn more about your legal rights and options, contact us for immediate assistance. Call our office today at 253.858.5434 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Estate planning involves the laws of Wills, Trusts, probate, property, marriage, business planning, and state and federal taxation.

We assist clients in creating plans for the disposition of their estates after death and for the perpetuation of family businesses. This involves the laws of Wills, Trusts, probate, property, marriage, and state and federal taxation. We prepare documents that preserve as much flexibility as possible and provide opportunity for later tax planning. This is important given the frequent changes to the tax laws we often experience. When you need an estate planning lawyer, we have the expertise and experience to address all of your needs. In addition to Wills and Revocable Living Trusts, we prepare documents such as Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs), Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs), Qualified Domestic Trusts (QDOTs), and Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) to carry out lifetime estate planning objectives and reduce or eliminate federal and state estate taxes. Optimal tax planning may also involve the rearrangement of ownership of property within a family unit, by gift or otherwise. It may also involve planning for multiple generations.

If you have estate planning questions and want to find out more about how we can help you and your family, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

Everyone should consider making a Will. Having a Will means that you, rather than state law, get to decide who receives your property when you die.

Because a Will provides directions for what happens after you die, everyone should consider making a Will. Wills can distribute your property to your loved ones, name a Personal Representative to wrap up your affairs, name guardians for children, forgive debts, and more. Having a Will also means that you, rather than state law, get to decide who receives your property when you die.

When you die without a Will or other estate plan, state laws known as "laws of intestate succession" decide which family members will inherit your estate and in what proportion. In most states, the laws specify that your spouse and children take priority.

Most people want to distribute their property differently than the state would distribute it. For example, many people want to leave gifts to friends, neighbors, non-spouse partners, and charitable organizations—and intestate succession does not allow for any of that. If you want other people or organizations to inherit your property, or if you want to decide the proportions of your gifts, a Will can make sure your wishes are followed.

A WILL DOES MORE THAN DISTRIBUTE PROPERTY. Central to most Wills is the distribution of a Will maker’s property. But a Will can do much more than that. For example, you can use your Will to:

* name a Personal Representative (formerly called an "Executor") to wrap up your estate

* name guardians for your children

* create a Trust for your children or other young beneficiaries

* forgive debts

You can use other estate planning tools to distribute your property (like Revocable Living Trusts, beneficiary designations, joint tenancy, and Transfer on Death Deeds), but only your Will can name a guardian for your children. In fact, even if you make a Revocable Living Trust to distribute every single piece of your property to your beneficiaries, you should still have a will to name a guardian for your children. (You'd also want to include a catch-all “pour over” clause that names your Trustee as beneficiary in the event that you end up owning property outside of the trust.)

A WILL CAN REDUCE FAMILY CONFLICT. A Will that clearly lays out your wishes can reduce conflict and speculation over what you “would have” wanted. The division of an estate after death comes with many emotions. As we've told clients many times before, "Death and money can bring out the worst in people." The slightest differences can result in hurt feelings and recriminations. And as blended families more common, dividing assets has become even more complicated. A Will that clearly lays out your wishes can reduce conflict and speculation over what you “would have” wanted. For example, if you're in a second marriage and have children from your first marriage, you may want to use a Will to clearly distribute your property between your second spouse and your children. Without a Will or other plan, your property would be divided between them according to the laws of intestate succession—this could produce an uncomfortable result as well as speculation about what you would have wanted. Making a plan can give you peace of mind and prevent your family from fighting over your possessions.

A WILL MUST MEET LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. When you make a Will, you have to adhere to legal requirements. Most Wills are written formal documents that must be signed by the Will maker (called the "testator") and two witnesses who won’t get anything from the Will. Some states allow Wills that are handwritten by the testator (holographic Wills), and these don’t require witnesses, but they do create more difficulty after death.

You also must have “testamentary capacity” when you make a Will. In most states, this means that you must be an adult who understands the nature of what you’re doing when you make a Will--that is, you understand that the Will you’re making determines who will get your property when you die--and that you understand the nature of your estate and can recognize the "natural objects of your bounty."

If you have questions about creating a Will or other estate planning documents, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

We advise nonprofit organizations on start-up plans, entity formation, organization, governance, governmental compliance, fundraising, planned giving strategies, and other legal matters.

Nonprofit and charitable organizations offer significant benefit to local communities and around the world. Our law firm supports such efforts with legal counsel to ensure tax-exempt entities are structured properly from the beginning to take advantage of all available benefits and to avoid governance or financial problems down the road. We work with clients ranging from small groups just getting started to large institutions, including private foundations and their affiliates, religious organizations, membership organizations, and advocacy organizations. Our nonprofit clients have operations all across the U.S. and in many other countries.

We work closely with tax-exempt organizations on start-up plans, entity formation, organization, governance, state and federal compliance, unrelated business income tax, fundraising, planned giving strategies, and other critical legal and business matters.

In addition to day-to-day legal advice, we have experience with structuring and negotiating a variety of major business deals on behalf of nonprofit clients. We have also amassed considerable practical experience in running nonprofits by serving as a board member or in other roles for various nonprofit organizations. We offer these services:

* Consulting and assisting clients with the initial stages of entity formation and issues surrounding qualification for tax-exemption as well as preparing applications to secure federal and state tax-exemptions.

* Preparing organizational documents such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, policies, and trusts.

* Assisting with general business, operations, and policy matters related to real estate, intellectual property, contracts, contributions, insurance, employment, employee benefits, and other issues pertinent to the organization, including unrelated business income tax issues.

* Advising on nonprofit involvement in complex structures involving commercial entities, including for-profit subsidiaries, partnerships, and joint ventures.

* Advising private foundations, organizations maintaining donor-advised funds, and other grantmakers on sophisticated grantmaking programs, including expenditure responsibility grants, equivalency determinations or program-related investments.

* Advising on qualification as a publicly-supported public charity, supporting organization, or private operating foundation.

* Advising on the laws governing fundraising and charitable solicitation, negotiating commercial sponsorship and product-related fundraising partnerships, and helping clients to obtain necessary licenses and permits for their fundraising activities.

* Providing counsel on internal governance matters, including the selection and operation of boards of directors, fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest and liability issues.

* Counseling charities with respect to planned giving, including gift acceptance policies, due diligence concerns and tax strategies, and negotiating large gifts.

* Establishing charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and charitable gift annuities.

* Advising nonprofit advocacy groups on the restrictions on lobbying and political activity by tax-exempt organizations.

* Reviewing executive compensation and other transactions to ensure compliance with IRS and state rules governing excess benefit transactions and private inurement.

If your nonprofit organization needs legal advice and representation, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

If you were recently in a car crash that caused broken bones, you're probably wondering how your injuries are going to impact your life and what you should do next. We can help!

If you were recently in an auto collision that caused broken bones, you're probably wondering how your injuries are going to impact your life and what you should do next. You also might be wondering how your injuries will impact the value of your personal injury claim. Broken bones are not minor injuries. They can stop you from working, completing everyday activities, and enjoying your hobbies. Your injuries may also affect your marriage and the relationships with your friends and family.

If you have a broken bone due to someone else's negligent actions, there are a few things you should know and do in the aftermath of the collision, including hiring a lawyer.

PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. The most important thing you can do after suffering a broken bone or a fracture in a car crash is to protect your rights. You might be wondering what the value of your settlement is going to be, but there's no calculator or any resource that can put a definitive dollar amount on a personal injury case. The facts unique to your case will determine how much compensation you could receive.

A few things that can impact the value of your case are:

* The TYPES of fractures or breaks you've suffered.

* The SEVERITY of the broken bone or fracture.

* The LOCATION of the broken bone and the affected body parts

* Whether or not you ever REGAIN COMPLETE FUNCTION.

* HOW LONG you're impaired by the broken bone, or if the impairments are PERMANENT.

* Whether or not you suffer from other physical injuries or emotional distress due to the bone injury.

* Whether or not you obtained appropriate medical treatment following the collision.

* Whether or not the treating physicians provided a precise diagnosis of the injury

* If your physician provided predictions for recovery, future treatment, and possible future disability from employment.

* Medical bills and other expenses related to the collision and the resulting broken bones.

* HOW LONG you have to endure limitations brought on by your broken bones.

* How the fracture affects your daily activities.

* The effect the crash and resulting injury has on your marriage and spouse.

A verdict and settlement can vary dramatically from one county to the next. That's why you should work with a lawyer skilled at getting you the best settlement possible for your fracture, no matter where the collision occurred.

TREATING BROKEN BONES. Protecting your rights is important, but in reality, you shouldn't do anything else until you've had your injury treated by a medical professional. If you don't receive immediate medical care, it can have a major impact on the amount of compensation you can receive.

There are three steps in the treatment of bone fractures. First, the bone is set back into place, then it's kept from moving until it's healed, and finally, the pain is managed throughout the process. Wearing a cast is a common way to prevent movement in the area of the broken bone. If you've suffered a severe break, like a compound fracture, you may require surgery involving rods, pins, screws, or plates to hold the bones in place so they can heal correctly. These items may or may not remain in place after you have healed. That's a decision your surgeon will have to make.

RECOVERY TIME. Your body will begin the natural healing process very soon after your injury. Swelling and blood clots will form, and a soft callus will replace the clots over a period of a few weeks as the bone begins to heal and regrow. Casts are also used to keep the callus in place so that it does not break. If the healing process goes according to plan, your bone will begin to return to its natural shape. The recovery time for an average person takes 6-8 weeks. Recovery times will vary based on your age, health, the type of break, and which bone is injured bone. Sometimes bones take several years to fully recover, depending on the severity of the injury. That's why it's vital to follow your doctor’s instructions and rest the broken bone as much as possible.

You might need physical therapy afterward to strengthen any weakened muscles or build your confidence back so you can use the affected body part again.

WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD A DEFENDANT WILL BE FOUND LIABLE? A huge factor in valuing your case or whether or not you are compensated at all is if the defendant would be found liable at trial. If there's next to no evidence that can prove that the defendant caused the collision that caused your injury, there is a higher likelihood that you would lose at trial. That means the defendant (and their insurance company) will be less likely to offer a high settlement amount. Even if your injuries are severe, the defendant and insurance companies will be less willing to settle for a high amount and more inclined to take their chances at trial. If the fault is up in the air, you and your lawyer will be more inclined to accept a low settlement because you will run the risk of getting nothing at trial.

GETTING LEGAL ADVICE AFTER SUFFERING AN INJURY. Your injury could lead to astronomical medical bills, lost wages, and other financial consequences. That’s why right after your injury has been treated, you should contact an experienced lawyer for help. Working with an experienced lawyer will help you receive compensation for your damages, expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto collision, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment for a free consultation right away.

Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney are documents used to create estate plans for individuals and families as part of a process to establish objectives relating to one's property and assets.

Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney are legal documents used to create estate plans for individuals and families. Creating these documents is part of an overall estate planning process to establish objectives relating to one’s property and assets.

WHAT IS A TRUST? A Living Trust is a type of Trust created during your lifetime (also called an "inter vivos" Trust) which works to keep your information private and to protect property and assets held within your estate. A Trust is funded by assets that you possess, such as real estate, stocks, bonds, and bank accounts. It is a legal document that allows a Trustee to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary or beneficiaries.

A Trust can help you:

* set up the timed disbursement of inheritances

* avoid probate and probate court

* reduce your exposure to lawsuits from creditors

* decrease your estate taxes

* set up lifelong access to your assets for your special needs child or other dependent

When you die, the assets in your Trust are distributed in a time sensitive manner to your designated beneficiaries by your chosen representative.

WHAT IS A WILL? Almost every person you talk to knows that a person should have a Will; also known as a “Last Will and Testament.” It is a legal document that states your final wishes. A Will should outline, at a minimum, the following:

* who will handle your estate when you pass, also known as the “Personal Representative”

* how taxes and debt (if any) are paid

* the name of the Guardian(s) for your children

* discuss asset allocation/distribution

* what happens to your personal property & real estate (if you own a house, condo or land)

A Will is filed in the county court after your death. The court will get involved to make sure that your final wishes are carried out. A “self-proving” Will can speed up the probate process, as the court will accept the Will without needing to contact the witnesses who signed it.

WHICH IS BETTER, A WILL OR A TRUST? The two big difference between a Will and a Trust are when they take effect after your death and the cost to create them.

* A Trust takes effect as soon as you create it

* A Will will only go into effect after you die

* A Trust takes more time and effort to create and has costs associated with creating and managing

The most important consideration is a Trust avoids the possibly expensive and drawn out probate process. This in turn will save your beneficiaries both time and expenses. Your beneficiaries will receive their gifts immediately in accordance with the instructions you listed within your Trust. The choice between creating a Will and Trust is up to you. Our recommendation is that you discuss your specific situation with your lawyer to determine which option is best for you.

WHAT IS A POWER OF ATTORNEY? A Power of Attorney (POA) is often established so a person can appoint another person to act on their behalf, giving that person the “power” to make decisions on their behalf in the event they are unable to do so themselves, either because of age, illness, or injury. When a person grants another person the responsibility of holding their Power of Attorney (POA) that person needs to find out what authorities were granted to them regarding the person’s medical and financial decisions.

TWO TYPES OF POWER OF ATTORNEY - FINANCIAL AND MEDICAL.

* A financial Power of Attorney - also known as a “durable” Power of Attorney because it does not terminate if you become disabled or incapacitated - is a written document that authorizes another person to represent or act on your behalf in private affairs, business matters, or other legal matters.

* A Health Care Power of Attorney is a document that designates a representative or agent to advocate for you when you are unable to make or communicate health care decisions. The person you select should be someone you trust (family member relative, friend) to act as your agent if you are unable to speak for yourself.

WHAT DO I DO WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES? Losing a spouse, parent, grandparent, family member, or close friend is very difficult. It’s often a time of reflection and sadness. During this time, we encourage our clients to remember to take care of themselves and others suffering from the loss. You typically have no immediate legal deadlines. You can address any major life changing decisions when everyone is less emotional. It is a moment for everyone to breath, avoid confrontation, and give yourself time.

When you are ready to move forward, here is a list of tasks for you to be complete:

* Contact your lawyer or the Personal Representative of the estate

* Order several death certificates – your loved one’s funeral home should be able to assist you and provide the number of original copies needed. (Death certificates will need to be provided to many of the companies and agencies listed below in order to close accounts.)

* Notify the Social Security Office (arrange to return the social security benefits obtained for the month of their passing)

* Notify banks, investment, retirement accounts & credit card companies

* Inform their doctors, dentist, and pharmacist (cancel prescriptions)

* Contact their health insurance company & supplemental insurance carrier to cancel coverage (if applicable)

* Tell their life insurance company/agent (if they have a policy)

* Contact the local Post Office to forward their mail

* Collect outstanding bills and cancel subscriptions and utilities if they lived alone (newspaper, magazines, cable TV, phone, etc.)

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS NO WILL OR TRUST? If a Will or Trust is in place, the Personal Representative or Trustee will be given instructions on the wishes of the deceased, which will assist in moving the estate forward. If a Will or Trust was never set up by your loved one, then they passed “intestate." Please contact us so that we can assist you in navigating through the probate court process.

If you would like to find out more information on how we can help you and your family set up a Will, Trusts, or Powers of Attorney, simply contact our offices at 253.858.5434 to set up a meeting! We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

No matter your age or economic situation, we encourage everyone to consider the benefits of comprehensive estate planning.

No matter your age or economic situation, we encourage everyone to consider the benefits of comprehensive estate planning. The cornerstone of every estate plan is the Will. This document can express your wishes regarding the distribution of your assets. It can name a guardian for a minor child in the event of your death. A Will can even be used to minimize the effects of taxation through the creation of certain kinds of Trusts.

We provide a full range of estate planning advice and services. We will meet with you to review your situation and explain how we can help you achieve your goals. If your financial or family situation has changed since the creation of your Will, we can revise it to meet your needs.

Most people think of Wills and Trusts as two separate instruments. However, in Washington you can create a Will that also contains a testamentary Trust. The Trust only comes into being upon your death. This can be a useful means of providing for the needs of family members and minimizing capital gains taxes. We have been drafting Wills for people from all walks of life for 25 years.

When you meet with us to discuss your situation, we will listen closely as you describe your finances, your family, and your goals. Based on your needs and desires, we will create the estate planning documents that can help you achieve your goals.

What happens if you die without a Will? Many people do not realize that if they die before they have taken the time to make a Will or Trust, their estate will be in control of the state. Washington and Idaho have both created statutes that will be used to determine how your estate is divided and distributed. Unfortunately, this process can be rather lengthy and costly. You can avoid this process by working with us to develop detailed and comprehensive documents.

What if your Will is challenged or contested? Even the most thoroughly drafted Wills and other estate planning documents can be challenged during the estate administration process. This can arise from a number of situations, including questions of the testator’s mental capacity when signing a Will, concerns about breach of fiduciary duty or fraud, factual inaccuracies or technical flaws in the Will, outdated information in the Will, or Will forgery. In the event of a Will contest, the estate administrator (also known as the Personal Representative or Executor) must continue to act in the best interest of beneficiaries and of the estate. The claim brought against the estate to challenge the Will can result in the Will being upheld as valid, the Will being declared invalid, certain gifts/inheritance being declared invalid, or gifts/inheritance being altered.

Numerous other questions often arise in the estate planning process. What happens to your retirement account? How will your medical bills be paid after you die? How can you provide for the needs of your disabled child after you are gone? We have answers to these and other questions. To learn more about estate planning, wills, and Trusts, call us at 253.858.5434 to schedule your appointment today. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

People injured in car crashes often suffer from broken bones, blood loss, or traumatic brain injuries, but connective tissue injuries are serious too.

When you are injured in an auto collision, it is easy to ignore signs of bruising and muscle stiffness as you deal with your sudden trauma. While injured individuals typically associate injuries like broken bones, blood loss, or traumatic brain injuries with collisions, connective tissue injuries are also serious injuries. If you suffered a serious muscle strain or torn ligament due to no fault of your own, you should discuss your case with a lawyer.

THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE INJURIES. The tissues that help with the body’s movement are easily injured when impacted by a serious car crash. A connective tissue injury involves trauma to one or more of the following:

* Skin

* Muscles

* Tendons

* Ligaments

There are two categories for connective tissue injuries:

(1) Acute trauma – The result of an external force impacting the body

(2) Overuse injury – Caused by repetitive use of connective tissues

Auto collisions are the most common cause of acute trauma injuries. The severity of the injury depends upon the type of collision and the force of the impact. Whiplash is one form of an acute traumatic injury involving connective tissue, and it can range from minor to severe. Sometimes called a neck sprain or strain, whiplash involves the rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck. While common in car crashes, whiplash can also occur due to a fall or an assault, as well. Severe cases of whiplash can result in headaches and pain that spreads to the arms. Some patients experience pain from whiplash for months, and even years, after an incident.

Other examples of connective tissue injuries that fall under the category of acute trauma include the following:

* Sprains – A sprain is a partial tear to a ligament. If the ligament is completely torn, it may require surgical repair. The most common areas to experience a sprain are the ankles, knees, and wrists.

* Strains – A strain is different from a sprain. A strain injury involves damage to a muscle or tendon.

* Contusions (bruises) – Most any type of trauma can leave you with some form of contusion. A contusion is often the result of a blunt force impact. A contusion results in pain, swelling, and discoloration due to blood entering the tissue.

* Lacerations – Open wounds that result from acute trauma show signs of damaged skin that expose the layers of connective tissue under the skin.

* Abrasions – While abrasions only affect the layers of skin, they are quite painful and similar to a burn. A first-degree abrasion affects the top layer of skin, a second-degree burn affects the second layer, and a third-degree abrasion affects all three layers of skin. Abrasions are also referred to as friction burns because of the type of injury.

* Stress fracture – Described as a small crack in a bone, stress fractures are often the result of repetitive motion. In some cases, a stress fracture can progress into a broken bone and possibly require surgery.

* Tendonitis – This type of connective tissue injury involves inflammation of a tendon. Tendonitis, like a stress fracture, is often due to overuse of such body parts as the hand, wrist, knees, or ankles.

* Bursitis – A patient develops bursitis when the fluid-filled sac that serves as a cushion between the bones and muscles becomes inflamed. Bursitis can result from either repetitive use or from acute trauma.

If you experienced one or more of these types of connective tissue injuries due to no fault of your own, you deserve justice. Injuries involving your muscles, tendons, and ligaments are painful and often slow to heal. We can help you with your case. Let us deal with insurance companies so that you can concentrate on your healing and recovery.

CARE AND TREATMENT NECESSARY FOR CONNECTIVE TISSUE INJURIES. What may seem like “just a bruise” or stiffness after a collision may, in fact, be something much more serious. Connective tissue injuries are why it is imperative to always accept medical transport to a hospital immediately. Diagnosing your connective tissue injury and deciding upon the best course of treatment requires a medical professional and diagnostic testing like that of an MRI.

Soft tissue injuries are classified in terms of seriousness by grades:

* Grade 1 (mild): Sprain or tear comprising up to 5% of a ligament or a joint.

* Grade 2 (moderate): Sprain or tear of up to 50% of a ligament or joint.

* Grade 3 (severe): 100% sprain or tear of a ligament or joint.

* Connective tissue injuries can escalate to a grade 4—the highest and most dangerous level of connective tissue injuries. A grade 4 injury means there is avulsion, defined as a sprain or tear of a ligament or joint that results in complete tear from a bone.

Signs of a possible connective tissue injury include:

* Hearing a “popping” or “snapping” sound during or immediately after the incident.

* Experiencing a limited range of motion with your limbs.

* There are symptoms of pain, swelling, and bruising.

* You are unable to put any weight on the injured area.

Most mild cases of connective tissue injuries are treatable at home with ice, rest, and elevation of inflamed limbs. Doctors may use a splint, brace, or sling to stabilize the injured area. Moderate to severe cases of connective tissue injuries may require surgery and extensive physical and occupational therapy.

Connective tissue injuries of any level limit your mobility and disrupt your life. The painful tear of a ligament can make you dependent upon others for assistance with your daily needs, such as bathing and dressing. When this type of injury is inflicted by another person due to their careless actions, it isn’t fair. A connective tissue injury can take weeks—even months—to heal. In serious cases, a patient may never recover full use of the injured area. Dealing with the resulting scar tissue, medications, and continuous appointments with doctors is downright frustrating.

If you experienced a serious connective tissue injury due to the negligence of another person, you owe it to yourself to discuss your case with a lawyer. Most personal injury lawyers offer free case evaluations, meaning you have nothing to lose by contacting one today.

WHY YOU NEED TO A LAWYER. A connective tissue injury is no small matter when it comes to your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Insurance companies will try to diminish the seriousness of your injury or offer you as little money as possible. Retaining an experienced attorney can help protect your rights and maximize your compensation.

The muscles, tendons, and ligaments in our body help us more than we know. It is only when they become seriously injured that we realize how they help us function on a daily basis. When you experience a serious connective tissue injury due to no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation. Don’t let insurance company representatives bully you into signing anything without legal representation. Insurance companies want to settle cases quickly. Their initial settlement offers may seem like a lot of money to you, but chances are that it’s not enough for your future medical care. Your severe injury may require more than one surgery, countless medications, and months of therapies.

The majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. An experienced lawyer is well aware of the tactics that insurance companies use to deny or delay compensation. If an insurance company is uncooperative when it comes to negotiations, the right lawyer is ready and willing to go to trial. Trying to handle your case on your own is risky. This period of great pain and stress is no time to test your negotiation skills. Insurance companies are too experienced and too clever for injured individuals to deal with on their own. Your future medical and personal care needs are too important to leave to chance.

Placing your case in your lawyer's hands affords you the peace of mind you need during this difficult time. While each case is different, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, depending on the specific circumstances of your case.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE INJURIES ARE SERIOUS. It’s easy to dismiss a sore neck or a stiff muscle that develops after a car crash as no big deal. However, it’s sometimes the smallest injury that can result in the largest problem for your health. Never shake off any type of injury after a collision, and always seek immediate medical attention. Your medical report can serve as valuable documentation should you pursue a personal injury claim.

The muscles, tendons, and ligaments that connect to make our body’s movements are tough yet tender when it comes to sudden trauma. An auto collision can result in a hard impact on your body. The moment of impact is the moment your life changes forever due to the carelessness of someone else. Connective tissue injuries can make your favorite hobbies impossible and can even lead to the end of your career. Your quick trip to the store or to a restaurant for dinner with friends can turn tragic in a second. Any possible surgeries can delay your healing and leave you without a steady income. If you experienced connective tissue injuries, you deserve quality care. Reach out to us to discuss the specifics of your case. No one should pay out-of-pocket for injuries experienced due to the reckless actions of someone else.

Insurance companies are only looking out for themselves and not for you. Having someone on your side during this stressful time is important for protecting your interests. We have the experience that you need for your case and the compassion that you and your family deserve.

Time is of the essence due to the statute of limitations for filing your claim. The clock starts ticking the moment you get injured. By scheduling an appointment with us, you take the first step toward possible justice. If you decide that you want us to review your case for free, don’t delay. Gather your evidence, such as police reports and contact information for witnesses, and bring it with you to your appointment. If your injuries are such that you are unable to travel, ask if we can visit you.

Connective tissue injuries are painful, serious, and expensive. Securing legal representation is a smart idea when you face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Don’t listen to insurance companies who try to diminish your injuries. Listen to your gut instinct and ask us if you have grounds for litigation.

A drunk or distracted driver or any other type of negligent person has no right to disrupt your life in such a violent and painful way. No matter how defensively you drive or how carefully you walk, it only takes the negligence of one person to cause you to experience serious injury. Bringing a personal injury claim is something worth considering as you contemplate your future medical needs. A proactive approach may seem overwhelming as you deal with your injuries. That’s why it makes good sense to talk with an attorney. We can review your case and provide you with the best option for moving forward. You have nothing to lose by scheduling a free consultation. There is no commitment required with a free case evaluation; how you proceed following the evaluation is entirely up to you.

Connective tissue injuries affect your daily life. You can go from completely mobile to completely immobile in an instant, thanks to a negligent person. If this has happened to you, you should call us sooner rather than later. Knowing your options for pursuing justice may just help you feel a little better and make your future seem a little brighter.

Give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

What should you do once your estate planning documents have been signed and your estate plan is in place? Here are some tips for storing and safeguarding your estate planning documents.

We've told you before how important it is to prepare an estate plan. But what should you do once your documents have been signed and your estate plan is in place? It is very important to safeguard the originals of your documents, as it will be necessary to have the originals in the event of your death or disability. Although there is no perfect place to store your Wills and other estate planning documents, there are some place that should be avoided. For example, a safe deposit box should not be used for storage because the box comes as part of a rental agreement with the attached bank—that agreement is between whoever is the signer on the box and the bank. After you die, no one else can get access to the box, absent a court order. Getting that court order requires additional trips to court, which costs money and is an all-around hassle. Avoid safe deposit boxes; home safes or locked filing cabinets are good options, though it is always a good idea to ensure your family knows where the documents are located and someone knows how to access them. A few additional thoughts on storing your estate planning documents:

* For all individuals named in your estate planning documents, be sure to keep with those documents an up-to-date list of contact information for those individuals.

* For those people who have been named to “key” roles in the documents, e.g., Personal Representative, Trustee, Guardian, Financial Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, etc., make sure those people have been informed of their roles and how to access the relevant documents, if necessary.

* Along with your estate planning documents, keep copies of the past two years’ worth of tax returns, as well as a list of online accounts and passwords.

It is also important to remember that, although your Will may have been signed, it is not effective until your death and you can amend it at any time prior to your death, assuming you still have mental capacity. Changes should be made only by a properly prepared Codicil or by preparing an entirely new Will. You should NOT attempt to make changes to your document by writing on the original, as this could render the document ineffective.

If you have questions about preparing a Will or other estate planning documents, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

Having an estate plan makes life a lot easier for your loved ones in the event of your death or disability. If you have children and/or own a house, you should have a clear estate plan in place.

Having an estate plan makes life a lot easier for your loved ones in the event of your death or disability. If you have children and/or own a house, you should have a clear, personal estate plan in place. Without a Durable Power of Attorney and a Health Care Power of Attorney, it's a judge that decides who takes care of you and your financial affairs in the event you become incapacitated, either because of age, illness, or injury. And it's the judge who gets to say what your guardian is allowed or not allowed to do, and your guardian has to report back to the court every year. Without a Will or Revocable Living Trust, your state's laws of intestacy determine who is to receive your property when you die and state law also sets forth the list of people who have priority to be in charge of your estate. Things get even more complicated if you are part of a blended family, have a disabled child, own a business, own real estate outside of your home state, or have an estate large enough for state or federal estate taxes to be imposed. Take control of these matters yourself and consult an estate planning lawyer to get an appropriate and clear estate plan in place that is customized to your family's situation.

We have providing estate planning legal services for nearly 25 years. We proudly represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

It's important to have an estate plan. You want to make sure the assets you've worked hard to accumulate go to the people or organizations you care about.

It's important to have an estate plan. You want to make sure the assets you've worked so hard to accumulate during your lifetime go to the people or organizations you care about. Estate planning can be a complex process, but we can provide you with the support to make it easier.

Having a comprehensive estate plan in place can help you feel more confident about the future and that your loved ones will be taken care of. It can help you achieve a variety of goals and objectives, including:

* Providing support and financial stability to your spouse.

* Preserving assets for future generations.

* Supporting a favorite charity or other worthy cause.

* Ensuring all of your assets, including those that pass by beneficiary designation (e.g., retirement accounts and life insurance policies), will be distributed according to your wishes.

* Minimizing taxes and expenses.

* Ensuring individuals that you choose can make decisions on your behalf in the event of your incapacity.

If you have estate planning questions and want to see how we can be of service to you, your family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

We are passionate about supporting, advocating for, representing, and partnering with nonprofit organizations and the people behind them.

At our law firm, we are passionate about supporting, advocating for, and partnering with nonprofit organizations and the people behind them. For more than two decades, those looking for assistance with nonprofit law throughout Washington have relied on us for legal and business guidance.

A nonprofit organization’s board members (e.g., its directors, trustees, elders, etc.) are legally responsible for everything the organization does. State law strictly controls how boards conduct their affairs and set high standards for board member conduct. Failure to satisfy these legal standards (i.e., board members’ “fiduciary duty”) can result in personal liability to directors and state government takeover of the organization. The law protects them from liability when board members act in an ethical and accountable manner.

At our law firm, we strive to ensure that board members always act in compliance with their fiduciary duty. We train them and give them the tools to excel. Among those tools are a nonprofit’s bylaws. Great bylaws help educate board members about their duties and serve as an instruction manual for board conduct. We have helped numerous nonprofit organizations understand and improve their bylaws.

We support and guide boards and their members in the full range of their legal duties and accountability issues, including:

* Understanding and complying with board member duty and liability;

* Addressing, as appropriate, potential self-dealing, conflicts of interest, and insider transactions;

* Updating and revising bylaws;

* Instruction on proper board procedures such as elections, notices of meetings, and the preparation of meeting minutes;

* Establishing and complying with best practices;

* Drafting the full range of board resolutions and corporate procedures;

* Addressing complaints filed against a board or individual directors;

* Meeting legally mandated public disclosure requirements;

* Handling and resolving board disputes and disruptive board members; and

* Holding board and staff members to the highest levels of accountability.

If your nonprofit organization or church has need of legal counsel regarding its corporate governance, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to see how we can help. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

Why is regularly reviewing and updating your estate plan important?

We're working on an estate right now that involves a Will that was written in 1986. With a Will this old, this is one of those rare situations where it would actually be easier if the decedent had died without a Will rather than one that had not been updated in 35 years. This is why regularly reviewing and updating your estate plan is important! If you have an estate plan already in place, then you have started off on the right path. If you do not have one yet, it is time to get one drawn up so you can have a plan in place. However, once you have your estate plan made, it is not something that you can just put in a drawer and forget about. We recommend that you review and revise your estate plan every three to five years or after you have had a major life change.

WHAT TO UPDATE IN THIS PROCESS. While some people think that this means you should review your Will, it is not the only thing to take a look at. If you have a comprehensive estate plan, you will need to have all of this reviewed and updated as needed. A comprehensive estate plan can be made up of a variety of documents including a Will, a Directive to Physicians (a "Living Will"), a Revocable Living Trust, a Durable Power of Attorney, a Health Care Power of Attorney, and more. Some other things that may be included are life insurance, retirement plans, and business succession plans if you own a business. As you can see, this can be a big process, especially if you wait too long to update the documents and have a lot of updating to do. If you update as things change, then you will have an easier time and the process will not take very long for you to complete.

REASONS TO UPDATE YOUR ESTATE PLAN. As you approach your review process, on broad terms, you are looking to ensure that your intentions have not changed, that the right people are included, that major life changes are reflected, and that all other major changes are noted. However, there are specific instances where you will want to ensure that you make the necessary changes to your estate plan. These are some of the most common reasons why you may want to update your estate plan:

* Marriage and Divorce. Changes to family dynamics happen all the time. When this happens, you should make sure your estate plan reflects these changes. For example, if you have recently gotten married, then you should ensure that your estate plan includes your new spouse. If you have been married before, another thing to remove from this plan is your ex spouse if you have not done so already. Additionally, you should get your estate plan updated if you have gotten divorced. Hopefully you have done this before getting married again, and you should keep this in mind as a trigger for an estate plan update. You do not even have to get married to trigger a review and revision of your estate plan. In fact, if you want to care for your partner and you are not married, now is a good time to ensure that this happens. This is important because if you are not legally married, then your partner may not get anything if it is not specifically laid out in your estate plan.

* Children. If you have children, you may also want to revisit how they are taken care of in your estate plan to make sure it is set up exactly how you want it now that you have a new family dynamic. If your new spouse has children from a previous relationship, then you may also want to include your stepchildren in your estate plan. Stepchildren are not typically included as beneficiaries of an estate plan unless the plan specifically mentions them, so you will need to take the time to include them if you wish to do so. Your estate plan will include all of your children, which includes both your biological and adopted children. The only exception in this case is if you wish to disinherit someone. If you want to disinherit a child or spouse, you will need to make sure that this is included in your estate plan. This is an important thing to do if you do not want someone in your immediate family to get anything as part of your estate plan.

Whenever your family tree changes, you should have your new child added to your estate plan. You will also want to outline in your estate plan who should be their guardian if you are no longer around. On the same point, if you are unhappy with who you have chosen to be the guardian of your children, you need to ensure that this is changed in your estate plan as soon as possible.

* Changes to Beneficiaries. If you decide that you want to change your beneficiaries, you will want to do this in all areas of your estate plan. You need to do the same if you wish to remove a beneficiary. If any of your beneficiaries have passed before you, you should revise your estate plan so that you can include new beneficiaries and/or redistribute property among your current beneficiaries. If any of your beneficiaries have had any changes to their care and their needs, you may want to include a way for you to provide for that care after you are gone. For example, if any of your beneficiaries require special care, you will want to outline how you will take care of these or who you want to manage the care after you are gone.

* Tax Changes. If you have moved from one state to another recently, your estate plan needs to be reviewed to ensure that it complies with all state laws. In this case, you should review it with an estate planning lawyer in the new state since they will be more familiar with the local laws. Even if you have not moved to a new state, Congress and state legislatures are constantly changing the tax laws. Keep in close contact with your lawyer to ensure that your estate plan is compliant. An experienced lawyer will keep tabs on this for you, but it is always a good idea to periodically check it or make the call to review it if you learn of any new laws.

Another change that can impact your taxes is when your assets change. If the size, nature, or value of your assets has changed, you need to take a good look at your estate plan and update accordingly. Whether or not you add these to your Will or Trust is something that you will want to discuss with your lawyer or financial planner. There may be a benefit of adding it to a Trust so it can avoid probate or take advantage of certain tax laws, but there are numerous factors that can play into this. Either way, you should revise your estate plan to reflect the current state of your estate.

* Other Various Changes. A lot of the changes fit into specific categories, but there are some that are unique and cannot be placed in these broad categories. These reasons are just as important when it comes to determining if you should update your will. This list contains a few of the other reasons you need to change your estate plan:

(1) Do you have a Trust and want to name a new Trustee? As part of your estate plan, you should review and revise your Revocable Living Trust if you want to add a successor Trustee or substitute Trustees. You will need to add it to this component of your estate plan so that your Trustee list is accurate at all times.

(2) Do you want to change your Power of Attorney? If you wish to have a Power of Attorney, whether it is a Durable Power of Attorney or a Health Care Power of Attorney, you will want to make sure that your wishes are reflected. If you want to change it, you can revoke them and appoint a new person to have it. This should always be as up to date as possible.

(3) Do you have a Directive to Physicians set up? If you do not have one already in your estate plan, add one. If you do have one, you should periodically review it to ensure that everything you want in this document is outlined. If you have changed your mind on some things, update this as well.

(4) Do you own a business or plan to open one? If you own a business or plan to open one, make sure that you not only develop a business succession plan, but also decide who will own the business after you are gone. You can even decide who will run your business.

(5) Has it been three to five years since you reviewed your estate plan? If you have not taken the time to review your estate plan in some time, this is reason enough to take a look at it and ensure that there is nothing that needs to be updated that you may have missed during your other reviews, if you have had any. You should review your estate plan with your lawyer on a regular basis.

THE IMPORTANCE OF UPDATING YOUR ESTATE PLAN. As you can see, there are many reasons why you would want to update your estate plan. However, it is also important to do this in a timely manner. If you fail to review and revise your plan when you have had a life change or change of heart for some reason, your estate could end up in the hands of someone that it is no longer intended for. No matter what your reason is for revisiting your estate plan, your lawyer will ensure that it is valid and that the changes you are making are compliant with all local laws. The last thing you want is for someone to not get what you wanted them to have simply because you did not discuss changes with your lawyer or have this updated on your various estate planning documents.

Make any changes as soon as you have a change or you have decided that you want to change your estate plan. There is no sense in waiting, because completing this as quickly as possible will help put your mind at ease. If you do not already have a plan in place, work with an estate planning lawyer to get your documents drawn up as soon as possible, especially if you have assets that you want to go to some beneficiaries. You can add documents to your estate plan that are relevant, and you will not have to do anything that fails to serve any purpose for your estate.

If we can be of service to you, your family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today. We represent clients throughout Washington and Idaho and are available to meet in person, by phone, or via video conference.

If you're starting a new business, one of the most popular choices of business entity is the limited liability company. Here's how to set one up.

If you're starting a new business, you should probably operate the business through a limited liability entity. Examples of limited liability business entities include LLCs, corporations (S corporations and C corporations), limited liability partnerships, and limited partnerships. There are many choices available. One of the most popular choices of business is the limited liability company, or LLC. This is how you do it:

STEP 1: NAME AVAILABLE? The first step in the process is determining whether the business name you want is available. You can do a very simple google search to see whether someone’s online presence could be confused with your anticipated business name. It’s also a good idea to check whether the web domain you want is available. After doing a generic online, you should look up your desired business name on the State of Washington’s Department of Licensing website and the Washington Secretary of State’s Corporation Search. This will tell you if any other businesses are operating in Washington under the name you are thinking of, or have reserved the name. Finally, check whether the name you are thinking of is trademarked. Find that by going onto both the applicable federal website and state website.

STEP 2: DRAFTING THE LLC AGREEMENT. The next step in the process of forming an LLC is drafting an LLC agreement, the operating agreement for the business. It’s akin to a corporation's bylaws. That is, it relates the entity’s core operating principles, which typically cannot be changed without at least a super-majority vote (a 2/3 majority vote).

An LLC agreement usually contains some of the following core decisions, among others:

* Whether either a manager or the members (owners) of the business make daily decisions. Larger businesses often run more smoothly if a manager can make simple decisions, as it reduces the need for frequent owners’ meetings.

* What decisions require an ownership (members) vote, and how the voting process will take place.

* Who makes tax decisions.

* How profits and losses are divided among owners.

You don’t need a LLC agreement; it is not a requirement under the Washington Limited Liability Company Act. If you don’t have one, statutes and case law provide the unstated terms of the LLC agreement. But you will want an LLC agreement if any of the following apply:

* You prefer to determine your own outcomes rather than operating under default rules.

* The business has or might have multiple owners.

* You anticipate buying real estate through the business. Escrow agents usually want to see an LLC’s operating agreement as part of the closing process.

And of course, make sure all the owners sign the LLC agreement before progressing to the next step.

STEP 3: REGISTERING WITH THE STATE. The third step in the process of creating your LLC would be to register with the Washington Secretary of State. The easiest way is online. The Secretary of State has a checkbox online registration system. You can also register by means of paper and mail, but that takes longer and costs more money. Almost everybody does it online instead.

The registration process entails some basic questions, the answers to which are probably in your LLC agreement. For example , you’ll need to indicate:

* Whether your LLC is “manager managed" or "member managed." That is, whether a manager makes everyday decisions or whether nearly all decisions require a more democratic vote of the owners.

* Who the members (owners) of the business are.

* Who will act as your LLC’s registered agent. You must select a registered agent—the person who can be served with any legal process. If you don’t have a registered agent, you can’t form an LLC.

If you have questions about setting up an LLC to operate your new business, give us a call at 253.858.5434 to set up an appointment today.