PRACTICE AREAS

Wrongful Death

Compassion, understanding, and excellence are some of the traits that a person should look for in a wrongful death lawyer. These traits and more are what make The Washington Law Firm, LLC the accomplished and respected wrongful death law firm in this practice area.

Every year loved ones across the United States grieve the loss of family members that die as the result of wrongful death. A wrongful death is a death caused by another party’s actions or negligence. Wrongful death can occur in a number of circumstances, including:

The Washington Law Firm, LLC has experience handling wrongful death cases involving catastrophic automobile accidents, nursing home abuse and neglect and trucking accidents. If your loved one has been the victim of a wrongful death contact the Charleston Wrongful Death Attorneys at The Washington Law Firm LLC.

Derailments/Railroad Crossing Accidents

There are approximately 6,000 railroad crossing accidents each year in the United States and often they result in catastrophic injury or death. Nearly 35% of all railway crossing accidents occur to children under 16 years of age. Railway companies are often quick to place the blame on inattentive motor vehicle drivers and children who are looking to “beat the train”. Railway companies must be accountable for providing adequate warning systems and safety measures such as safety gates and flashing lights at all railway crossings.

The Washington Law Firm, LLC has extensive experience in all types of injury accidents including train derailments and railroad crossing accidents. We promptly and thoroughly investigate each case to assess liability and determine fault. We work with experienced investigators to obtain photographs, witness statements and other necessary investigation, immediately, while the evidence is still fresh.

Workers’ Compensation

Every year thousands of workers are killed or seriously injured on the job. This occurs even though many state and federal regulations, as well as industry standards, require employers to implement a wide variety of safety measures.

Workers’ Compensation laws are designed to ensure that employees who are injured or disabled on the job are compensated for their monetary losses. These laws also provide benefits for dependents of those workers who are killed because of work-related accidents or illnesses. Types of Work Related Accidents and Injuries include:

Construction Accidents, Failure to Provide Security, Heavy Machinery Accidents, Machine Accidents, Plant Explosions, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Railroad Accidents/FELA,  Scaffolding Accidents,  Toxic Exposure, Defective/Unsafe Equipment.

FELA/Injured Railroad Workers

When a railroad worker is injured on the job, the right to compensation is governed by a Federal law known as the Federal Employers’ Liability Act commonly called the FELA. With the FELA, Congress established that injured railroad workers could sue for damages suffered as a result of the negligence of their employer in either state or Federal court. To recover under the FELA, it is necessary to first establish some negligence on the part of the railroad. This differs from state workers’ compensation laws where no such proof is needed.

However, the amount of negligence that must be demonstrated is slight: essentially it must be shown that the railroad failed to provide a reasonably safe place to work. When railroads act negligently, recoveries under the FELA will generally be far greater than they would be under state workers’ compensation systems.

Premises Liability

Premises liability cases involve accidents that occur due to negligent maintenance, or unsafe and dangerous conditions upon property owned by someone other than the accident victim. Property owners and business establishments have a duty to provide a safe environment for individuals on their premises. Common situations giving rise to premises accidents include uneven floor surfaces, poorly marked changes in elevation, slippery surfaces, broken sidewalks, uneven elevators and broken steps.

Contact The Washington Law Firm, LLC for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is the act in which a doctor, surgeon, or other licensed healthcare provider acts negligently, causing injury or death in a patient. Patients expect a timely diagnosis of a medical problem along with proper treatment. In some cases a delay in diagnosis may have serious consequences to the patient and may affect their quality of life. Doctors and other medical staff are professionals and respected by the community. It is their duty to safely and correctly treat patients with the individual’s best interest and health in mind. Some types of medical malpractice may be:

The Washington Law Firm, LLC has the legal knowledge and unending dedication to assist you in your medical malpractice claim immediately.

Guardian & Conservatorships

A guardian is appointed by a Judge after he or she determines that a person is incapacitated. An incapacitated person is someone who is impaired due to mental illness, physical illness or disability, advanced age, dementia, chronic drug or alcohol abuse, and other causes. A guardian once appointed is authorized to make decisions regarding the incapacitated person’s care, comfort and maintenance. A conservator is a person who is responsible for managing your estate and financial affairs. A conservator is appointed by a judge after he or she determines that you are incapacitated.

The WLF can assist with filing the proper legal documents with the probate court to have an immediate family member such as spouse, adult child, parent or sibling or other relative to be appointed as guardian and/or conservator.  

Train Derailments/Grade Crossing Accidents

A train derailment occurs whenever a train car leaves the railroad tracks. A train derailment can result in severe injuries or even death to passengers, railroad employees and bystanders. Many trains often times carry toxic chemicals, so a derailment that results in a toxic or hazardous spill can be devastating to the local residents. Thousands of train accidents and derailments occur each year in the United States. The leading causes of derailments include:

  • Poor and improper maintenance of tracks
  • Collisions with other trains
  • Improper switch alignment
  • Failing to install adequate signals such as lights and gates
  • Railroad crossing collisions with vehicles and trucks at hazardous crossings
  • Mechanical failures of train engines or rail cars
  • Overworked and tired train crews
  • Improper training of train crews
  • Understaffed track maintenance departments
  • Improper removal of obstructions near railroad crossings
  • Excessive speed of trains in poor weather conditions

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death due to a train derailment accident, contact The Washington Law Firm, LLC.

Probate & Estate Litigation

The death of a loved one is an emotional period for families. The WLF understands your loss and the legal responsibilities families face after the emotional loss.  We can provide compassionate guidance through the probate process. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

 

WHY SHOULD YOU FILE PROBATE?

 

The main reason for opening an estate for a deceased individual is to administer all of the assets the individual may own and make sure these assets are delivered or titled in the name of the proper heirs or devisees.  In addition, it is also necessary to take care of any liabilities or debts the deceased individual may owe at the time of death. Finally, another very important purpose for opening an estate and appointing a Personal Representative of the estate is to file any necessary actions, like a survival/wrongful death law suit on behalf of the deceased individual.  It is important that this is done as quickly as possible so that there are no unnecessary delays, missing assets or missed deadlines.

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