Frequently Asked Questions

The legal process can intimidate almost any personal injury client. Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the process. We invite you to browse our firm’s site, to understand the many successful results that our attorneys have obtained for our personal injury and wrongful death clients.

How Much Does Legal Representation Cost?

The two expenses in bringing a lawsuit are fees and litigation costs.  We generally do not charge out of pocket for either.

Fees: We handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we take a fee only if and when you obtain a financial recovery.  You pay no fees out of pocket.  The fee is a percentage of the total financial recovery, and the percentage depends on the type of case.

Costs: Litigation costs are expenses incurred during the litigation, such as copying, filing fees, depositions, expert witnesses, etc. We advance these costs.  Under Washington’s Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC 1.8(e)), costs remain the client’s ultimate responsibility, and are typically reimbursed after a successful case resolution.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

This is a common question, but there is no uniform graph that places a value on body parts or life.  Actual case value is based on too many considerations to analyze on a website.  To give you some sense of what to expect, these considerations include the type of case, the severity of injuries, the treatment involved,  the duration or permanency of disability or trauma, and the nature of the defendant.

Personal injury and wrongful death cases compensate for what has been lost.  In general, the greater the loss, the larger the case.  Washington does not allow punitive damages—to punish a defendant—except in very rare circumstances. You can look through many of our cases online as examples.

How Long Will It Take?

Some cases resolve in several months through private negotiations with an insurance company.  If a lawsuit is filed, the deadlines leading up to arbitration or trial often determine when a case is settled or tried to verdict.  Cases are usually set for trial in 1-2 years.  Sometimes cases last longer if trial is delayed or appealed.

The WSBA Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC 1.2) put the client in control of the goals of the case. The client determines whether to settle at any given point.

How Do I Pick A Lawyer? And Why Should I Hire An Attorney From The Stritmatter Kessler Koehler Moore (Skkm) Law Firm?

Picking a lawyer is all about trust.  Trust means more than giving you straight answers. It means you trust your lawyer to understand you and to pursue your case skillfully.

We recommend that you interview several law firms before making this important decision.  We want you to choose the firm that will best represent you.

Given our years of experience and diversity of exceptional lawyers, we are confident that we provide the highest level legal representation for personal injury and wrongful death matters in the region.

We have a longstanding proven track record of excellence. The courts, mediators, insurance adjusters and defense lawyers respect us.  This means that we are able to secure excellent results for our clients whether by settlement or trial verdict.

Our clients trust our staff and counsel to see them through the difficult times following a devastating trauma. We build relationships with our clients that are not only legal in nature but are also caring.

Media Inquiries

Please direct media inquiries and interview requests to Kassie Seaton.
Tel: (206) 448-1777
Email: kassie@stritmatter.com

Contact Our Office

New client consultations are always free. If you have an incident you’d like to share with us, please fill out the intake form below. You can also call or email us directly.

Note: We have personnel who speak fluent Thai and Vietnamese.

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Office Locations
Seattle Office
3600 15th Ave. W #300
Seattle, WA 98119
Hoquiam Office
413 8th St.
Hoquiam, WA 98550