Single mother of four Jane Doe never expected that a rear-end collision would instantly change her life. She suddenly found herself facing severe neck and back pain that made everyday tasks difficult and left her struggling to keep up with the demands of motherhood.
In this video, Shareholder Jonathan Yousling shares Jane’s story and the challenges she faced after a rear-end collision left her with serious injuries. While Jane focused on her recovery and caring for her family, the GLP Attorneys team worked tirelessly to advocate on her behalf and pursue the justice she deserved.
Jane is an extremely personable woman who is an active and engaged mother of four children. She deeply loves and cares for each of them daily as she homeschools and manages their home. The family loves spending time outside and often goes snowmobiling, wakeboarding, and tubing with their extended family. It is important to her to build lasting memories for her kids and give them valuable and rewarding experiences as a single mother to her children.
The client was navigating parenting, doctors appointments, homeschooling, and ensuring that there was food on the table and a roof over their heads. The emotional and physical toll of the collision deeply impacted her well-being and that of her children.
Jane was driving in her car heading towards Redmond. She was stopped at a red light when she abruptly rear ended. By the time Jane returned home that evening, she had begun experiencing pain in her upper back and her shoulders. By the next day, she was very sore, and her injuries were making it difficult for her to care for her kids and get through her workday.
Her injuries were deceptively severe, and what I mean by that is you couldn't see her limp. You couldn't see her pain in her neck, but in her cervical spine, she suffered instability that was causing her nerves to send signals of pain down throughout her body, and it was debilitating. Jane continues to experience debilitating pain in her neck and back, limiting her capacity to work and perform daily tasks as a result of the collision.
From the very beginning of her case, the insurance companies doubted that she had any injuries at all. Certainly not ones that were lasting, and the basis or the foundation of their belief was a picture of her car, which literally showed no damage to it whatsoever. So the insurance companies took the position that how could she be injured? She must be lying. She must be exaggerating. She must be a fake.
And that is the obstacle we faced in trial. How we overcame the doubt is the story of the trial. In fact, the first thing we did in front of the jury was tell them that Jane's life wasn't summed up in the picture of some 2003 Honda Civic. It was more than that, a lot more than that.
We demonstrated that she was committed to treatment from the very beginning, that she had no priors, that she was facing a very difficult challenge, not just from the crash, but for own personal life. At the time the crash happened, her husband had been dealing with alcoholism to the point where they became separated while she was trying to recover from this injury.
And the insurance companies finding out about this, tried to use this as some psychosocial reason for her experiencing exaggerated pain. But we were able to get the people who knew her best, her primary care provider, her doctors to drive and to testify in front of a jury many miles from their home, and to stand up with her and tell them that she wasn't a fake. She wasn't a liar. She was a person that deserved to be mattered.
We were able to secure a verdict of nearly $1.9 million for Jane.
This is life changing money for her and her family. In the midst of the medical struggles she experienced after the crash, she was dealing with keeping her children safe from an ongoing abusive relationship with her husband. Her husband passed away during the case, which brought on a new set of challenges to navigate and overcome. The verdict allowed her to keep her small business and continue to give her children the best life she can offer them, while keeping her own health a priority.
Validation seems like a fancy word, and it sometimes feels clinical. But in this particular case, validation was healing in a sense.
As I was giving the closing argument, there was a moment where I could look back at Jane and I saw her weep. When I saw her weep, it made me proud to be a trial lawyer, because I knew that I had done my job, which was to tell her story.
Not for the jury, not for the judge, but for her, for her to hear it and hopefully be believed. And she was. She can now move on from some very real challenges that she had with her health in this crash and have a future for her four children that is more secure than it had been. That's what it meant for her.
At GLP Attorneys, we don't just settle, we fight for what's fair. That's exactly what we did for this client. From day one, our legal team listened closely, built a strong case rooted in facts and compassion, and prepared tirelessly for court. While many firms push for quick settlements, we never shy away from trial when justice demands it. This verdict reflects not just the severity of our clients injuries, but also the power of relentless advocacy. The GLP Attorneys Difference™ is about being present, prepared and committed to our clients, our communities and the results they deserve.
GLP Attorneys works hard to provide clients like Jane with the best possible outcomes for their personal injury cases.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please call 800-273-5005, or email our attorneys at for a free consultation.
In this episode of #PersonalInjury101: Trucking Collisions, Partner Shaun Callahan explains why collisions involving semi-trucks aren’t just bigger, they’re fundamentally different.
With more on the line, more complex evidence, and a different legal approach, trucking injury cases operate on another level. Shaun breaks down what sets them apart, what victims need to know early on, and how the right attorney can help navigate the process and pursue the full compensation these cases often require.
The injuries people sustained in trucking collisions can be a lot more severe than the injuries you might see in a car versus car collision. These trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, whereas a typical car weighs about 4,000 pounds. And if you think back to physics class in high school, that disparity in size and weight means that the people in the car are going to be subjected to extreme forces upon impact because those trucks are so big, so heavy, and so dangerous.
When driven negligently, there is a heightened duty for the drivers of big trucks. It's important to recognize that semi truck drivers are professional drivers, not just anyone can get in a semi truck and drive it. You have to undergo specialized training, both on the road and in the classroom, to develop the skills and knowledge to operate these vehicles.
And once you are done with that training, you must follow the regulations set by the federal and state governments that have been put into place for the safety of everyone on the roadway. In almost every case, we see that the training has not been done correctly and that the trucking company or driver have failed to follow the rules and regulations.
It's those failures and disregard for the rules that leads to very preventable crashes and injuries or deaths on our roads. And then there is the practical difference between a typical car crash and that goes back to the sinister motives of greed and money. The stakes are very high for these companies, and if they and their drivers cause too many crashes, injuries or deaths, they won't be in business very long.
Now, the logical thing to do would be to work hard and invest in preventing these crashes. But what we often see is the exact opposite, that these companies do everything they can to cover up what happened and skirt the regulations. And so what you find is what we oftentimes see across society, that these companies and their insurances are willing to spend obscene amounts of money fighting against the people that they and their drivers injured.
It's a true David versus Goliath story. And the only way for normal folks to even the playing field is to get an experienced trucking attorney on their side.
The answer to this is sad to me, and that is that 100% of these crashes could be prevented. And the reason we still have innocent people dying or being horribly injured on our roads boils down to greed or laziness. When you see the impact that these crashes have on people, families and our community, it's hard not to get angry.
Operating an 80,000 pound truck on a public road isn't something to be taken lightly, and we should expect our professional drivers to uphold the standards of their profession. Every trucking case that I have handled has involved greed or laziness. Sometimes it's that a company turned a blind eye to an unqualified or unsafe driver. Once, it was a company that employed a medical examiner who ignored positive drug results for a drug screening that should have disqualified the driver.
Other times, it's that the company and driver have falsified the log to let the driver exceed the limit on hours of service, which puts tired drivers on the road. One time it was a truck driver not slowing down for a narrow bridge. All of these actions have consequences. And when you are operating such a big, heavy vehicle, these consequences are oftentimes deadly.
It's a matter of fairness to right now, big companies that we all shop with or see delivering packages every day are spending obscene amounts of money to try and change the laws so that they don't have to follow the rules that other smaller trucking companies have to follow. And they're doing this out of greed because unsafe, unregulated truck drivers are willing to cut corners that a safe, professional truck driver won't do.
So if these regulations are cut, the good truck drivers who are doing things the right way end up getting punished and overlooked in favor of these dangerous but cheaper truckers. If you ask a CDL driving school instructor, they'll tell you that behind every regulation that we have for our trucking companies is a family or loved one who is severely hurt or killed by the action we are trying to prevent.
Well, the short answer is that if you are not a personal injury attorney that devotes themselves to trucking cases, it's just about impossible to get anywhere and get any measure of justice. It would be like asking a person with no prior experience as a pilot to fly an airplane. These are complicated and hard fought cases that often last years, with hundreds of steps involved on the journey to justice along the way.
A good trucking attorney is going to act quickly to preserve vital evidence before it is changed, hidden or destroyed. The attorney will know all the rules that professional truck drivers have to follow, including the CDL manual, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and be familiar with industry and company safety standards, and will check to see whether those rules have been followed.
For example, we will check on whether the truck driver was even qualified to drive. Sometimes they aren't. Whether the trucking company failed to do what it was supposed to do, and whether there were violations that led to this collision and contributed to its severity. And then from there, the attorney will engross themselves in your case to fully understand the issues down to the minutia.
Oftentimes, we have to study a subject in order to understand experts who may have been working in that area for decades. So, for example, in a recent case, we had to learn the science behind digital videos and photography, including lens distortion, the types of frames involved in a video, and camera timing. The issue is different in each and every case, but invariably there is always something that needs diving into.
One of the things I love about this job is that you never stop learning, and a good trucking attorney will do exactly that. Always be curious and never stop learning.
So while you or your loved one is on the way to the hospital or being extricated from the car, the trucking company is in gear too. I'm going to address what they should do and what they actually do. What they should do is immediately have a supervisor come to the scene and secure the truck and data recorders as evidence in the crash.
In most cases, the driver should be drug tested and interviewed about what occurred. The company should also cooperate fully with law enforcement. Sometimes this happens, but oftentimes what happens is much more nefarious. Too often, what actually happens is the company or their insurance company immediately hires an expert to come to the scene. The truck driver is whisked away from the scene, invariably not drug tested, which, by the way, is a sign that they were likely under the influence of an illicit substance or one banned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Sometimes we see that video footage has been corrupted, altered or not preserved, and then some companies will turn on the truck and drive it a short distance. This is especially nefarious because doing so can overwrite the data recorders on the truck. The difficult thing is, all of this is done in those first 24 hours, and we have seen them all done.
It's incredibly important in trucking cases that a preservation letter gets delivered to the truck owner and the truck operator. Many times these are two different people, and potentially to the company who loaded the truck and the company who hired the truck to haul the load. This letter is critical to your case, as it formally requests that these businesses preserve all of the evidence from the time of the collision.
Most people don't realize there are a lot of documents that have to be kept in order for a truck to be on the road, like driving logs and bills of lading. If you don't request preservation of that evidence, sometimes it won't be preserved, even though it should be. In my experience, it's often very clear that the truck drivers are at fault, but they will still deny responsibility for the collision.
They will still claim that you were at fault, even though there's no evidence to support that claim. For these reasons, you should hire a trucking attorney immediately after a collision. A good trucking attorney will handle all of this for you while keeping you informed the entire time. The amount of work that is required to ensure that you get the recovery that you deserve, frankly, is massive, and it's just not feasible for a person who doesn't specialize in this area of the law to be able to effectively advocate for themselves.
The bottom line is that an attorney likely will put you in a better financial position than you could on your own.
After you've been in a trucking collision. There are several claims you can make. One of these claims is a bottle injury claim. It's important to understand that these claims can be settled at different times. You can claim for any injury sustained in the accident, including physical injuries, emotional distress, loss, wages and medical bills. But the key is that the injury or the loss must be approximately caused by the incident in question.
If the harm or the damages are too attenuated from the injury, it may not be foreseeable and the negligent trucking company may not have to pay for it. There are two kinds of damages that you can claim special damages and general damages.
Special damages are damages that can actually be calculated based on what things cost or economic losses that you sustained. These damages include past and future costs for things like medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses like household services and medications.
General damages are damages that do not have a set monetary cost. These damages include things like your injuries themselves, both emotional and physical pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and any disability, past or present, that you suffer as a result of your injuries.
In addition to your personal injury claim, you will most likely have a property damage claim if your car is totaled. You should be paid for the actual cash value of your vehicle at the time it was totaled. You should also be put in a rental car or paid for the days that you do not have a car in the aftermath.
This is called loss of use. If your car is not totaled, it should be repaired. Once your car is repaired, it will likely have lost some value due to the damages it sustained. Therefore, you can make a diminished value claim. These kinds of claims are really important to folks in the immediate aftermath of a collision with a semi truck, because these collisions usually leave the car in an undeniable condition.
I always explain to my clients that there are two parts of a trucking injury case. The first part is you getting better and billing first party insurance. This means you focus on healing and deal with your own insurance company in the interim. All the while, your attorney should be gathering evidence for what is known as a third party claim.
The second part of the case is that third party claim. This is where we hold the person in businesses that cause the collision responsible for their actions. It's obvious that the trucking companies and their employees should be held responsible for the collisions they've caused, but they really just don't take that responsibility. There are a variety of reasons why truckers get into these collisions, including distracted driving, poor driver training, trucker fatigue, negligent truck maintenance, negligent hiring and supervision on the part of the trucking company, speeding, mechanical failure, inclement conditions, and failure to adjust for them the sheer size of trucks, trucker air, trucker neglect, trucker oversight, and mechanical failure.
Because there are so many different potential reasons the collision occurred. It is important that you hire an experienced trucking injury attorney like me to figure out which of these causes accounts for the wreck at the end of the day. You don't know what was going on with the truck driver that caused the wreck, but an attorney can find that out for you.
Was the truck driver driving too fast? Following too close? Watching the video on their phone. These are all questions that will need to be answered in order for you to get the recovery you deserve.
One thing I always tell my clients who have been injured in trucking collisions. Never sell yourself short with a trucking company. These trucking companies have a ton of insurance. For 2023, the minimum coverage the trucking company was required to carry was $750,000, plus, personal injury. Attorneys are pushing hard to raise those insurance limits. The Institute for Safer Trucking released its statistics for 2021, which showed that 2021 had the highest number of trucking collision related deaths in the last 40 years.
These collisions are becoming more common and more deadly, and we have to hold the trucking companies and insurance carriers they use to a higher standard.
I see a lot of cases where truckers are either fatigued or impaired while driving, and then cause collisions. Impairment in this case doesn't necessarily mean the trucker is abusing illicit drugs or drinking alcohol. There are certain prescriptions that aren't safe to take while operating a truck, but the truck drivers take them anyway and are impaired on the job as a result.
Surprisingly, I've also seen a lot of cases where it turns out that truck drivers are not properly certified and thus are not supposed to be driving semi trucks in the first place. Truckers are required to have a medical certification in order to drive, and I'd say about half the time in these cases, these truckers are either impaired and shouldn't be on the road, or they're lying to their doctors to get prescriptions for drugs they shouldn't be on.
That's not to say we don't see a lot of cases where truckers are impaired due to illegal drug use. It's a tough industry, and these drivers need to stay up for long periods of time. Some of them use illegal drugs to stay awake.
While it is possible to file a personal injury claim on your own. It is highly recommended that you work with an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. GLP Attorneys has a practice group dedicated solely to making sure that its attorneys are well versed in the laws that govern truck operators and their owners.
GLP Attorneys truck accident injury attorneys have resolved a considerable number of trucking accident injury cases since our firm's founding in 1986. If you have been involved in a trucking accent, call (800) 273-5005 or email our attorneys at to schedule a free lawyer consultation.
I, unfortunately, had a personal experience with a truck accident, and that has stuck with me and is really the reason I became a personal injury attorney. So when I was 17, I took the family minivan to the grocery store to get a gallon of milk. I had my little brother with me, and while we were at the grocery store for an hour, we came back out.
The battery was dead and our car wouldn't start. It was about 96 degrees outside. It was an early September day, and so I did what I would always do if I had an issue like that. I called my grandparents. My grandma and my grandpa were in downtown Seattle at a doctor's appointment. They left immediately to come up and help us jump our car, but they never made it.
Somewhere on northbound I-5 between Seattle and Edmonds, they were rear ended by a Canadian truck driver towing a trailer that hadn't been properly hooked up to his truck. It was a horrific crash. The truck driver was going about 75 miles an hour when he hit their little Subaru Forester, and in the aftermath, they spent a combined 100 days in Harborview Medical Center.
That crash changed my grandparents life and changed my family's life, and the only saving grace that they had is they had a really good attorney on their side that was able to help them get justice. But what I realized through that process is that we as attorneys are limited to what we can do. We can do the best job that we can, but we can never truly put people's lives back together.
So one thing that I always carry with me when I represent my clients is that knowledge that I need to do the best that I can do, just to even start to put my clients back where they should be.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a trucking accident, it is recommended to speak to a personal injury lawyer.
GLP Attorneys has decades of experience supporting individuals involved in trucking accidents and has secured six and seven-figure settlements for their clients.
Please call us at (800) 273- 5005 to contact our personal injury attorneys for a free consultation so we can assist you with your personal injury case.
GLP Attorneys was proud to attend the Skagit County Bar Association’s annual Law Day Dinner and Legal Clinic, represented by Shareholder Heather Webb, Associate Oliver Garrison, and Staff Attorney Austin Guisti.
This year’s Law Day theme, The Rule of Law and the American Dream, highlights the vital role our legal system plays in creating opportunity, protecting rights, and supporting the foundation of our communities. We’re honored to stand alongside our peers in celebrating the impact of the law and to support efforts that expand access to justice through events end continuing education.
GLP Attorneys Associate Matt Cole, along with members of our North Washington team, was honored to represent our firm at the Island Health Foundation Gala of Hope in Anacortes this past Saturday.
Since its founding in 2004, this incredible event has brought together healthcare leaders, community partners, and supporters for an inspiring evening dedicated to advancing patient care and strengthening local health services. The Gala of Hope is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together. We’re grateful to support an event that celebrates the providers, caregivers, and advocates working every day to improve health outcomes across our region.
GLP Attorneys Partners Shaun Callahan and Mel Westberg, along with Associate Allison Woodruff, represented our firm at the Oregon Chiropractic Association Annual Convention this past weekend, connecting with providers, exchanging ideas, and strengthening relationships that help drive better outcomes for patients across Oregon.
As an affiliate member of the Oregon Chiropractic Association, we are grateful for the opportunity to engage with such a dedicated and collaborative community which works to promote chiropractic as a safe and effective discipline, defend practice rights, and support members through education, clinical and business expertise, and a strong professional network serving communities statewide.
GLP Attorneys Partner RJ Ermola and Staff Attorney Lexi Howard-Mullins represented our firm at the Idaho Association of Chiropractic Physicians (IACP) Annual Convention this past weekend. The event brought together chiropractic leaders from across the state for a dynamic mix of education, connection, and collaboration.
The program featured innovative speakers, including GLP Attorneys Partner RJ Ermola, and sparked meaningful conversations focused on advancing patient care and strengthening chiropractic practices. We are proud to support the Idaho Association of Chiropractic Physicians in its mission to expand opportunities for the chiropractic profession and increase public access to quality chiropractic care across Idaho.
GLP Attorneys was represented at the Legal Marketing Association’s Annual Conference last week by Community Engagement Coordinator, Angela Heath. She attended this event as the NW Steering Committee Co-Chair alongside current and former committee members Aubrey Roders from Keller Rohrback, Christina Brissenden from Ballard Spar, Martha Nguyen from Stoel Rives, and Denara Goble from Miller Nash. The conference brought together marketing and business development leaders from across the legal industry, with a strong focus on AI integration, data-driven strategy, and the growing importance of authentic, relationship-based marketing, topics that closely align with our firm’s commitment to community and collaboration.
As the authority for legal marketing worldwide, the Legal Marketing Association supports the profession through thought leadership and professional advocacy. GLP Attorneys is proud to be part of this community, staying connected to the ideas shaping the future of legal marketing.
GLP Attorneys Partner Chris Brester and Law Clerk Anna Lee joined community leaders and partners in supporting the Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation’s Annual Gala, Voces de Esperanza (Voices of Hope), an inspiring evening celebrating the voices that drive positive change and the Foundation’s mission of resilience, opportunity, and the power of community. the Foundation’s mission and celebrating the voices that drive positive change.
The Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation uplifts Latino and underserved communities through education, advocacy, scholarships, mentorship, and cultural programming that empower youth and families. Their work creates meaningful pathways to opportunity and inclusion.
We are proud to stand alongside organizations that make lasting impact.
When Gabrielle Morningstar and her service dog, Kinniki, were attacked, their lives changed in an instant. What should have been an ordinary day became a traumatic experience that left both of them with serious injuries, emotional scars, and deep uncertainty about what the future would hold.
In this video,Partner Shaun Callahan and Associate Phillip Ayers , share Gabrielle’s story and the impact the vicious dog attack had on her independence, her sense of safety, and her bond with the service dog she relies on every day. Determined to help Gabrielle be heard, the GLP Attorneys team conducted a thorough investigation and advocated on her behalf every step of the way.
Their efforts resulted in a settlement of more than $250,000, secured without filing a lawsuit, giving Gabrielle a sense of justice, support for her recovery, and the confidence to move forward after a deeply traumatic event.
Shaun: In November of 2024, I got a call from Phil about a dog attack in Oregon on an elderly woman, Gabrielle, and her service dog, Kinniki. Phil had taken the call and reached out to me as the head of the GLP Attorneys’ Oregon practice group. Phil told me this woman was seriously hurt and had no luck reaching out to other law firms in her area. Phil told me she needed our help, so we got right to work.
Phillip: Gabrielle was 78 years old at the time of the attack and living in Oregon. She lived alone with her service dog, Kinniki. Kinniki was more than just a means for Gabrielle to live independently, but also a faithful and loving companion to Gabrielle. Kinniki was family to Gabrielle, and Gabrielle had big plans for their future, including herding classes, trips overseas, and advanced service dog training.
Shaun: Gabrielle started her day like any other, not realizing it would soon become the worst day of her life.
Phillip: Let me tell you what happened on November 2nd, 2024. Gabrielle was just getting started with her day. She was getting ready to run some errands. Before leaving, Gabrielle let Kinniki outside into the fenced yard to relieve himself. While she was getting ready, she heard a terrified scream coming from outside. Gabrielle rushed into the backyard and saw that Kinniki, her beloved companion, was being dragged under the wooden fence separating her home from her neighbor's property.
Her neighbor's dog, Conan.
Shaun: More like Conan the Barbarian.
Phillip: Had grabbed Kinniki from a gap underneath the fence and was trying to pull him under the fence to his side of the yard. Gabrielle was confronted with the heartbreaking scene of her precious Kinniki trapped under the fence and struggling to survive. Immediately, Gabrielle rushed to the fence where Kinniki was fighting for his life. Despite Gabrielle's small and frail stature, she knew she needed to do anything she could to save Kinniki.
She dove down to Kinniki's side and reached her arms under the fence and around Kinniki to protect him as much as she could. Conan continued his vicious assault, biting, clawing and forcefully tugging on Kinniki and at Gabrielle's arms to get Kinniki all the way on Conan's side of the fence. All Gabrielle could do was hold on for dear life, to protect Kinniki from even worse harm.
During this struggle, Gabrielle's arms were bitten and scratched, and her face was bashed against the fence repeatedly by each of Conan's powerful tugs on Kinniki. Gabrielle hung onto Kinniki for dear life, despite Conan attacking her, knowing that if she let go, it would mean the death of Kinniki. Gabrielle began yelling for help, and thankfully another neighbor heard her screams and rushed to help, trying to break off pieces of the fence and then dig to help free Kinniki. Before grabbing him around his neck and shoulders and trying to keep him away from Conan.
Eventually, Conan's owner came outside and made her dog let go of Kinniki and Gabrielle. Gabrielle pulled Kinniki over to her side of the fence, each of them a bloody mess. Gabrielle's children arrived to help and took Kinniki to a local emergency vet and Gabrielle to the emergency room.
Phillip: Gabrielle’s arms and hands were bitten and scratched in the process of saving Kinniki. She had puncture wounds, gashes, and bites to her hands and forearms. She was seen by the ER where they bandaged her wounds and cleaned them up. She later received surgery the next day for a more thorough cleaning of the wounds and some stitches.
Far worse were Kinniki's injuries. Conan ripped the flesh from the bone on his hind leg during the life or death tug of war with Gabrielle over his body. Kinniki had to undergo emergency veterinary surgery and had several follow up surgeries to try and save his leg. Unfortunately, several of his toes had to be amputated, and he underwent nearly six months in a cone collar. While doctors continue to work on his wounds and apply skin grafts.
While Kinniki has made it out of the darkest days of his recovery, he will never be a working dog and faces many severe limitations in his day to day life.
Shaun: Kinniki’s injuries were some of the worst I've ever seen. The photos were horrifically graphic.
Shaun: We had two big issues we had to contend with in Gabrielle's case: Oregon's version of the one free bite rule, which makes recovery for pain and suffering very difficult in Oregon, and a very biased police report. One of the worst I've seen. The responding officer never even interviewed Gabrielle and refused to listen to the neighbor who witnessed the attack or include her statement. The only available eyewitness in the police report. Between the two of them, we had immense legal and evidentiary hurdles to clear.
Phillip: First, there's Oregon's version of the one free bite rule, which basically states that the defendant had to have reason to know that their dog was dangerous before they are liable for anything other than medical bills, which means no compensation for pain and suffering. We had to prove that the owner of the dog that attacked Gabrielle and Kinniki knew that their dog, Conan, was dangerous, or we would be severely limited in what we could recover for Gabrielle.
We were able to overcome this obstacle by reaching out to members of Gabrielle's community. She had many neighbors who were willing to speak up on how Conan was a menace, constantly snapping at people and other dogs through the fence, and that Conan's owners had surveillance cameras on their property, so they had to have known of Conan's bad behavior.
In all, we got statements from several members of the community speaking to the well-known fact that Conan was a violent dog and his owners had every reason to know it, too. This allowed us to overcome any issues regarding the one free bite rule, and for Gabrielle to receive compensation for her pain and suffering.
Second, we had an extremely biased police report we had to contend with. Police didn't show up until after the attack and after Gabrielle and Kinniki had left. The only statement in the police report was that of the attacking dog's owner, who stated that Kinniki may have been the one to injure Gabrielle. Moreover, the responding police officer wrote in his report that because Kinniki's head was on Gabrielle's side of the fence, Gabrielle could have been bit by her own dog during the incident.
Thankfully, we were able to track down the one eyewitness to the incident who was able to refute Conan's owner and the police report itself by giving us a strong statement on what actually happened. These issues would have driven away many attorneys and law firms from taking on Gabrielle's case. But here at GLP Attorneys, we relished these difficult cases and came up with a plan of attack to get Gabrielle and Kinniki the justice they deserved.
Shaun: Another challenge that Phil is way too modest about is that under the law, animals like Kinniki are considered property. So the most the Gabrielle could receive when it came to Kinniki's injuries is repayment for his medical bills. And that was a problem because while Gabrielle's injuries were bad, they were nothing compared to the trauma that her dog had suffered. Phil did some really fantastic lawyering to convey Kinniki's damages through the lens of Gabrielle's emotional suffering, to get justice for them both.
Phillip: We were able to secure a settlement of over $250,000 for Gabrielle within six months of the incident, and without having to file a lawsuit. After the trauma of a dog attack, both physical and emotional, the relief that came with a successful legal recovery was profound for Gabrielle. She and Kinniki endured not only painful wounds and medical procedures, but also lasting fear and anxiety about what the future would look like.
Securing compensation brought more than just financial support. It brought validation and peace of mind. It meant being able to cover ongoing medical bills and veterinary bills, and taking time to heal without the added stress of economic hardship. Most importantly, it gave her a sense of justice and the confidence to move forward, knowing that her voice was heard.
Shaun: With ten staffed offices across the Pacific Northwest, GLP Attorneys offer unparalleled regional expertise paired with local knowledge and resources so clients know they're supported by a team familiar with the state specific rules and communities.
Phillip: GLP Attorneys uniquely combine regional reach, values driven personal injury advocacy and proven success, all supported by collaborative, client first culture. I am proud to work for a firm whose client service approach is rooted in its values of Commitment, Creativity, Compassion, Collaboration, and Community. It was this approach that allowed us to get the result we did for Gabrielle and Kinniki.
It also says that GLP Attorneys’ track record speaks for itself. The firm has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for animal attacks, construction injuries, car crashes, brain trauma, wrongful death and more. It says that the firm has an unparalleled ability to take tough cases to trial. And by fostering one firm, one team culture, and robust training, mentorship and initiatives, it ensures that every client is backed by a united, well-prepared legal team.
GLP Attorneys work hard to provide clients like Gabrielle with the best possible outcomes for their personal injury cases.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please call 800-273-5005, or email our attorneys at for a free consultation.
GLP Attorneys is proud to stand up for individuals injured in serious trucking accidents through no fault of their own and who suffer additional emotional injuries from being attacked by insurance companies in the aftermath. In this video, Shareholder Heather Webb shares the success story of Mary Tellery, whose life was forever changed after a devastating trucking collision. Through compassionate advocacy and thorough litigation, our team helped secure a significant jury verdict on her behalf.
At the time of the trucking accident, Mary was a 38 year old mother of two boys, and pregnant with her third child, a daughter. She was on her way to Swedish Hospital in Seattle with her husband for a scheduled induction, driving in stop and go traffic, when they were rear-ended by a semi-truck. The impact was so violent it lifted their car up and pushed them into the car ahead of them. To protect her baby, Mary threw her hands out to brace for the impact on the dash.
She was terrified that the collision had hurt her baby. She begged her husband to get off the freeway and take her to the hospital as soon as possible. Because of the damage to the back of the car, they were able to get off the freeway, but couldn't drive to the hospital, so they called 911 and hoped emergency personnel would get to them quickly. During this time, her contractions started to increase and she was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Mary had been a young and energetic mom. Friends and family knew her as a superwoman, working full time and caring for her family nonstop, often putting the needs of others before her own. Fortunately, her baby was born without any complications. However, as a result of bracing herself on the dashboard, Mary suffered significant injuries to her wrists, requiring several injections and two surgeries on each wrist.
Because of her injuries, she could not take care of her family or her newborn baby as she had envisioned. She had trouble holding her to breastfeed, picking her up and rocking her, and as Mary's daughter got older, her injuries continued to affect the way she cared for her daughter. Holding her hand was difficult, or even doing her daughter's hair.
All Mary wanted to do was to get rid of her wrist pain. At times, she even ignored it in hopes that it would go away. The company who owns the semi-truck that hit Mary didn't believe they injured her wrists in the crash. They believed her injuries were from a condition called mommy's thumb. They said that her injuries were from the repetitive motions of lifting, holding and carrying her newborn baby. They blamed Mary and her baby for the injuries, not the 80,000 pound truck that rear ended them.
Before the collision, Mary did not have any problems with her wrist. Her doctors testified that Mary suffered direct trauma to the ligaments in and around the first compartment and at the base of both wrists. Her doctor explained that the mechanism of injury matched her putting her arms out to brace herself.
Mary went through several wrist and hand surgeries to repair the damage from the collision. Even though the surgeries relieved a lot of her symptoms, she will live with pain for the rest of her life.
We felt we had to fight the lowball offer from the owners of the semi-truck company and their attorneys to get Mary a recovery that would help her now and in the future. At trial, we were able to get a verdict for $811,714, which was 11 times the amount the trucking companies offered before trial.
The verdict meant for Mary that the jury valued her, and they understood what she went through, and they believed her. After years of pain, uncertainty and mounting medical bills, the relief of securing a financial recovery was life changing for Mary and her daughter. For someone facing lifelong injuries, it isn't just about the money. It's about dignity, stability and hope for the future.
The verdict provided the resources needed for ongoing medical care, support services, and lifting the heavy burden that have loomed since the day of the injury. It offered Mary and her daughter peace of mind and a path forward, allowing her to focus on healing and rebuilding her life with the confidence that their needs would be met.
It says that GLP Attorneys’ track record speaks for itself. The firm has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for trucking injuries, construction injuries, car crashes, brain trauma, wrongful death and more. It says that the firm has an unparalleled ability to take tough cases to trial. And by fostering one firm, one team culture, and robust training, mentorship and initiatives, it ensures that every client is backed by a united, well-prepared legal team.
This includes the GLP Attorneys Trial Track Program, designed to empower attorneys taking their cases to trial. Through this program, experienced litigators like Jim Gooding and Jonathan Yousling provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and practical trial tools to support our attorneys. It's a collaborative, high impact platform that elevates the firm's trial readiness and strengthens each attorney's ability to secure justice for our clients.
GLP Attorneys works hard to provide clients like Mary with the best possible outcomes for their personal injury cases.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, please call 800-273-5005, or email our attorneys at for a free consultation.
GLP Attorneys was proud to support the Chelan Douglas County Volunteer Attorney Services Justice Gala, celebrating a community dedicated to expanding access to civil legal services.
As CDCVAS’s largest fundraiser, the event helps ensure individuals and families can access the legal support they need, regardless of income, bringing stability, hope, and justice to those who need it most.
A special thank you to our own Chris Brester, Attorney and CDCVAS Board Member, for his incredible dedication, leadership, and passion for serving communities across Central Washington.
GLP Attorneys is proud to advocate for individuals injured in construction accidents. Partner Scott Shawver shares Nathan Doe’s case, which serves as a powerful example of perseverance after a life-altering injury.
In this video, Scott Shawver describes Nathan Doe’s case and how Nathan’s future was changed in an instant after he fell into an unmarked trench and was subsequently run over by a city bus. Through dedicated advocacy and litigation, the GLP Attorneys team helped secure a significant jury verdict on Nathan’s behalf. This helped him move forward with the support and compensation he deserved.
Prior to this unfortunate accident, Nathan had recently retired as a senior project accountant where he worked there for eight years. He was excited about his retirement and the plans he had to travel, visit friends and generally just to enjoy his retirement. He also was a regular customer at his neighborhood Trader Joe's and really liked the employees there and chatting with other customers.
He felt working at Trader Joe's suited him well. He would be able to interact with customers and other employees, and felt it would be an enjoyable job. After he started working as a crew member at Trader Joe's, his vision of what the job would be proved accurate. He found it to be a great way to stay engaged with his community, and he also enjoyed the social contact with his coworkers.
Nathan had been working at Trader Joe’s for eight months when this accident occurred. Nathan is originally from London and came to the United States over 30 years before this accident. In his personal life, he enjoyed his friends, fine dining and travel. On the day of the accident, he was taking the bus downtown to meet friends for lunch. Nathan lived on Capitol Hill in Seattle and often rode the bus.
On the day he was injured, he used an app called One Bus Away and saw the bus nearest his home was closed due to construction. The app told him a different bus stop nearby was open, so he went there. He and several others were waiting when the Metro bus for route number 11 arrived. It was a 60 foot articulated bus, but it did not stop at the designated bus stop.
He signaled to try to catch the bus driver's attention, but the bus driver still went past the designated stop. Nathan followed the bus along with another passenger on the north sidewalk next to the street. When the bus stopped at the next stoplight, Nathan crossed the grassy area next to the sidewalk known as the planting strip, and reached up to knock on the rear door of the bus to get the attention of the bus driver.
Unfortunately, as he did this, Nathan stepped into a large, unmarked and unguarded trench that was over 12 inches deep. His leg went down into the trench, causing him to fall forward into the road and under the wheel of the massive bus. The bus ran over Nathan, resulting in severe and traumatic injuries.
After being run over, Nathan was taken to Harborview Medical Center. Some of his injuries were fractures of both femurs, fractures of his seventh thoracic vertebra, pulmonary embolism, fractured multiple ribs, fractured tibia, fractured radius, and massive blood loss.
The impact on Nathan's daily life was catastrophic. His life and retirement were severely compromised because of this accident. He will never be the same. His mobility and pain each day continues to be a challenge. Standing and walking for extended periods of time is severely affected. He was an avid international traveler, but is now restricted and has yet to be able to return home to the United Kingdom, which he did on a regular basis.
Any travel is done with wheelchair assistance to navigate airports. Both of his parents died shortly before the accident, and he was unable to return to the United Kingdom to handle their estate and scatter their remains.
Clear liability is always the biggest issue in these types of cases. Construction cases often involve complex liability issues due to the multiple parties typically present on a jobsite, including general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and sometimes government entities. Determining who is responsible for maintaining safety protocols, providing proper training, and ensuring hazard free environments can be challenging. Additionally, overlapping responsibilities and varying levels of control over the site can muddy the waters even further.
In this case, it was only through intensive investigation that we learned that the unguarded trench which caused this to happen had been left in this condition for months and months, and was a clear violation of the duties of the contractor and the government to keep a construction site safe if it is accessible by members of the public.
We were able to secure a settlement of nearly $9 million for Nathan. A $9 million settlement can be life changing for a person who has suffered severe and catastrophic injuries. Beyond covering extensive medical bills, rehabilitation costs and lost income. It provides long term financial security and access to necessary care for the future. It can help modify living spaces for accessibility, fund in-home assistance, and ease the burden on family members who often become caregivers.
Just as importantly, it offers a sense of justice and closure. Recognition that their pain and losses matter for many. It's not just about the money. It's about reclaiming dignity, independence and hope. After this tragedy, Nathan will be financially secure going forward, but he will never be the same. He still suffers from severe pain and requires extensive medical care on a weekly basis.
There were so many people at the firm who worked on this case, and we can confidently say we all felt a deep sense of purpose, pride and fulfillment. It is a powerful validation of our work, advocacy, and commitment to justice. Knowing that the settlement will dramatically improve Nathan's quality of life, providing financial stability, access to care, and long term support reinforces why we do what we do.
At GLP Attorneys, it's not just about winning the case, it's about standing up for someone whose life was forever changed and making a real difference in their future. It truly is about achieving justice for them and their families, and that is what inspires us to keep fighting for our clients.
It also says that GLP Attorneys’ track record speaks for itself. The firm has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for construction injuries, car crashes, brain trauma, wrongful death and more. It says that the firm has an unparalleled ability to take tough cases to trial. And by fostering one firm, one team culture, and robust training, mentorship and initiatives, it ensures that every client is backed by a united, well-prepared legal team.
This includes the GLP Attorneys Trial Track Program, designed to empower attorneys taking their cases to trial. Through this program, experienced litigators like Jim Gooding and Jonathan Yousling provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and practical trial tools to support our attorneys. It's a collaborative, high impact platform that elevates the firm's trial readiness and strengthens each attorney's ability to secure justice for our clients.
GLP Attorneys works hard to provide clients like Nathan with the best possible outcomes for their personal injury cases.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, please call 800-273-5005, or email our attorneys at for a free consultation.
In Seattle, a 7-year-old American bully named Frank was seriously injured when two large dogs from a nearby homeless encampment attacked him, leaving deep puncture wounds and a $2,500 vet bill. His dog walker was also hurt, suffering a sprained wrist, scratches, and a mild concussion, and has not returned to work.
The attack happened along South Lucille Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue South, where roughly eight RVs are parked near Georgetown's main commercial strip and playfield.
Witnesses reported that the two dogs ran across the street and dragged Frank into the road. Bystanders and a police officer intervened, and eventually a woman from the encampment took the dogs back.
Following the incident, the owner is calling on the city to remove the encampment. Animal control is investigating, but the dog owner is doubtful about a lasting solution. City officials say they are working on enforcement staffing and plan to open a new RV safe lot soon, which may help relocate people currently living in the area.
Under tort law, a dog owner may face "strict liability" for any injury caused by their dog. This means that the owner can be held responsible for a dog attack even if they weren’t careless or didn’t know the dog had a tendency to bite.
If you have been attacked by a dog or your dog was attacked by another dog, it is important to have a personal injury attorney review your case.
Getting bitten by a dog can be traumatic for everyone involved in the incident. If you have been bitten or your dog has been attacked by another dog, it is important to connect with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. GLP Attorneys has supported clients with their personal injury cases for nearly four decades and has experience achieving justice for clients who have been injured by animals, products, in car accidents, and more.
If you have been injured in an accident, call our attorneys at 800-273-5005 or email us at to schedule a free lawyer consultation.
On April 12, 2026, a Coast Guard crew rescued three adults and one child after their 18-foot boat became trapped in shifting ice about 10 miles west of Chefornak. The group had been stranded for over 24 hours during a subsistence seal hunting trip.
After freeing their vessel overnight, they attempted to reach help from a shore party using snow machines, but moving ice blocked their path. A helicopter and airplane were dispatched from Air Station Kodiak, with the helicopter arriving early Sunday morning after refueling stops.
All four individuals were safely airlifted and returned to Chefornak without injuries.
Lieutenant Commander Alexis Chavarria-Aguilar, pilot-in-command for the helicopter, commented on the rescue mission, “We battled nearly every Alaska-centric aviation weather hazard imaginable, such as flying over 800 miles in near-zero visibility through mountainous terrain, blowing snow and icing conditions. The teamwork was on full display during the recovery of the survivors. It was a long, difficult night, but I’m so proud of everyone involved who worked seamlessly together to bring four people home safely.”
At GLP Attorneys, we are grateful that all four people were rescued safely.
If you are or have been injured at sea or on the water, it is highly recommended to speak to a knowledgeable and experienced maritime personal injury attorney.
Contact GLP Attorneys today for a free lawyer consultation if you have been injured at sea or on the water by calling 800.273.5005, or email our attorneys at .
GLP Attorneys was proud to be represented at the Washington State Association for Justice Annual Spring Reception in Bellingham by Senior Associate Tirra Seely, Associate Attorney Oliver Garrison, and Staff Attorney Austin Guisti.
Events like this bring together members of the civil justice community from across Washington to discuss key appellate issues, collaborate on advocacy efforts, and strengthen the collective voice working to protect the rights of injured individuals. Staying engaged in these conversations helps ensure our attorneys remain informed, connected, and at the forefront of the legal developments shaping the future of civil justice.
GLP Attorneys is proud that all our attorneys are Eagle Members of the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ), the Pacific Northwest’s oldest and largest civil justice advocacy organization. We were honored to be represented at the annual Spring Reception in Renton by Associate Attorney Evelyn Wallace and Staff Attorneys Kate Calhoun and Conner Shultz.
Events like this bring together members of the civil justice community to discuss emerging appellate issues, share insight, and strengthen a unified voice focused on protecting the rights of injured individuals across Washington. These conversations help keep our team informed, engaged, and prepared to deliver thoughtful, effective advocacy for the clients and communities we serve.
The GLP Attorneys Spokane team showed up for the community in a meaningful, hands-on way by volunteering their time to help clean up Franklin Park. From picking up litter to restoring shared spaces, the team demonstrated that being present in our communities goes beyond words, it’s about action, stewardship, and taking pride in the places where we live and work.
Because being here isn’t something we simply say.
It’s something we do every week, in every community we serve.
On Thursday, April 9, 2026 in Puyallup, Washington, a 12-year-old boy was riding his bike near his home when a dog suddenly charged and attacked him without provocation.
The boy tried to escape, running and screaming as the dog repeatedly jumped on him. A passing driver intervened by honking, getting out of the car, and stepping between the boy and the dog, ultimately scaring the dog away.
The incident was captured on a neighbor’s home security camera. Footage shows the boy riding along West Pioneer Avenue when the dog knocks him off his bike.
According to police, Metro Animal Services took custody of the dog on Saturday after the owner surrendered it to animal control.
Under tort law, a dog owner may face "strict liability" for any injury caused by their dog. This means that the owner can be held responsible for a dog attack even if they weren’t careless or didn’t know the dog had a tendency to bite.
In this case, neighbors reported that the dog had a history of multiple incidents and was typically chained to the bumper of a van parked in front of the home. This situation could be considered owner negligence due to lack of proper supervision and the dog’s history.
If you have been attacked by a dog, it is important to have a personal injury attorney review your case.
Getting bitten by a dog can be traumatic for everyone involved in the incident. If you have been bitten or your dog has harmed someone, it is important to connect with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. GLP Attorneys has supported clients with their personal injury cases for nearly four decades and has experience achieving justice for clients who have been injured by animals, products, in car accidents, and more.
If you have been injured in an accident, call our attorneys at 800-273-5005 or email us at to schedule a free lawyer consultation.
Todd Meadows’ official death certificate was obtained by TMZ on Monday, April 6. The document reported that he passed away from “drowning with probable hypothermia” and “submersion of body in cold water;” Todd’s death was ruled an accident.
Todd, a 25-year-old Deckhand on the Discovery Channel series “Deadliest Catch,” tragically passed away after falling overboard from a fishing vessel on February 25, 2026. Todd and his crew were crab fishing off the Alaskan coast, 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor, when every fisherman’s worst fear was realized - falling overboard in freezing waters, where hypothermia can set in in just a few minutes.
After Todd had fallen overboard, the Coast Guard and the Arctic District command center received notification from the fishing vessel. Todd was recovered approximately 10 minutes after falling overboard and was found unresponsive. While it has been reported that film crews were aboard the vessel to film the upcoming season of the series, it is unclear whether they were currently filming.
At GLP Attorneys, we extend our deepest and sincerest condolences to Todd Meadows’ loved ones, family, and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
Due to an assortment of unique and extreme working conditions, the maritime industry is largely regarded as one of the most dangerous industries in the world. The working conditions include, but are not limited to, harsh weather conditions, unstable working platforms, heavy machinery, and long shifts, all of which ultimately can result in accidents with severe consequences.
When accidents and injuries occur, it is essential to work with an experienced maritime personal injury attorney to help you navigate the complex legal landscape. Maritime laws and regulations differ from traditional workplace claims, and having a skilled maritime personal injury attorney can help you pursue full compensation.
If you are or have been injured at sea or on the water, it is highly recommended to speak to a knowledgeable and experienced maritime personal injury attorney.
Contact GLP Attorneys today for a free lawyer consultation if you have been injured at sea or on the water by calling 800.273.5005, or email our attorneys at .
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five people from the fishing vessel Ocean Bay after it ran aground and began taking on water near Umnak Island, Alaska, early Thursday morning.
The crew called for help around 4:45 a.m., prompting a large response that included a helicopter, airplane, and a Coast Guard cutter. A nearby vessel, Seafreeze Alaska, arrived first and helped relay communication.
By the time rescuers fully arrived, the crew had managed to stop the flooding. Around 11:15 a.m., a Coast Guard helicopter safely airlifted all five people to Dutch Harbor. No injuries were reported.
At GLP Attorneys, we are grateful that all five people aboard the fishing vessel were rescued safely.
Running aground happens when a vessel enters water that’s too shallow to stay afloat. While it can be done deliberately, such as for maintenance or unloading cargo, it most often occurs because of incorrect depth information, operator mistakes, or changes in the underwater terrain.
The maritime industry is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous in the world. Maritime workers face a unique combination of risks, including extreme weather conditions, heavy machinery, confined spaces, long shifts, and the constant movement of vessels at sea. These factors create an environment where accidents with devastating consequences can happen quickly.
When injuries occur, the legal landscape can be complex, often involving specialized maritime laws and regulations that differ from standard workplace injury claims. Working with an experienced maritime injury attorney can be the critical difference in protecting a victim’s rights, navigating unique legal frameworks like the Jones Act, and pursuing the full compensation one deserves for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
If you are injured at sea, it is recommended that you speak to an experienced maritime personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
If you have been injured at sea or on the water, contact GLP Attorneys for a free lawyer consultation. Call 800.273.5005 or email our attorneys at to schedule your free consultation with an attorney.
By Joseph Burdine | Associate Attorney | Tacoma Office
After a car collision, parents naturally focus on the most visible injuries, such as bruises and cuts, which can be iced and cleaned. However, one of the most serious injuries a child can suffer in a crash is a concussion, a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which has no visible signs at all and can quietly do damage while everyone assumes the child is fine.
The truth is, concussions in children are frequently missed, misunderstood, and undervalued by insurance companies.
When thinking about a concussion, most people envision a wobbly athlete on the sidelines, which might be true, but does not paint a complete picture for adults, and for children, is even further from the truth.
In children, especially young ones, the brain is still developing. This makes it more vulnerable to injury and also means the signs of a concussion can be subtle, delayed, and easily attributable to something else. A toddler cannot tell you that the light feels too bright or that thinking feels harder than usual. A school-age child may not recognize that something is wrong. A teenager may downplay symptoms to avoid missing a game or falling behind in school.
It is also worth noting that in Washington, as elsewhere, emergency rooms frequently clear children based on the absence of visible trauma or normal CT results. That is appropriate triage, but it is not the same as a concussion evaluation. A normal scan on the night of the crash might not rule out a concussion, and parents who are told their child is "fine" at the ER sometimes spend weeks wondering why their child is struggling in school, sleeping poorly, or having emotional outbursts they cannot explain.
Common signs of concussion in children include:
Importantly, many of these symptoms do not immediately appear. It is not uncommon for a child to seem perfectly fine in the hours following a crash, only to develop noticeable changes in mood, sleep, or function in the days that follow. Documenting those changes as they emerge, with dates, is one of the most valuable things a parent can do.
For children, a missed or undertreated concussion is not simply a short-term inconvenience. Because the brain is still growing and forming critical connections, a concussion that goes unaddressed can have consequences that ripple into adolescence and adulthood.
Children who do not receive appropriate rest, monitoring, and gradual return to activity are at greater risk for post-concussion syndrome, a condition where symptoms persist for weeks or months beyond the initial injury.
There is also concern in the medical community about second-impact syndrome, a potentially catastrophic condition that can occur if a second head injury happens before the first has fully healed. The evidence base is still developing, but the precautionary principle is well-established in pediatric concussion management: a child should not return to contact activities until fully cleared.
Beyond the acute risks, research has increasingly connected childhood brain injuries to longer-term challenges including learning difficulties, emotional and behavioral changes, anxiety, depression, and problems with memory and attention.
For a child in the middle of critical developmental years, any of these effects can alter their academic trajectory and quality of life in ways that are difficult to fully measure. That difficulty in measurement is exactly what makes these claims hard to value and easy for insurers to minimize.
Pediatric concussion claims are a common target for insurance adjusters, and the reasons make sense on the surface. Because concussions generally do not show up on standard MRI or CT imaging, adjusters will often point to "normal" diagnostic results as proof there is no serious injury. This is misleading. A concussion is a functional injury to the brain, not a structural one, and the absence of a visible lesion on imaging does not mean the injury did not occur or that the child is unaffected.
Insurers also frequently argue that symptoms are vague, exaggerated, or unrelated to the crash, particularly when there is a delay between the collision and when symptoms were first reported or documented. They may downplay the severity of the collision itself, especially in lower-speed impacts, and use that to argue the forces involved could not have caused a brain injury. This reasoning ignores the fact that a child's developing brain is more vulnerable to the lasting consequences of concussive injury than an adult's, and that there is no universally safe threshold of impact when it comes to the developing brain.
Under Washington law, insurers are required to conduct a reasonable investigation of every claim before denying or minimizing it. When an adjuster dismisses a pediatric TBI claim based on the absence of imaging findings alone, without accounting for the well-established medical understanding of how concussions work, that falls short of what the law requires. It does not always rise to the level of bad faith, but it is the kind of conduct that an experienced attorney knows how to challenge.
Perhaps most frustratingly, insurance companies often resist compensating for the long-term effects of a childhood concussion because those effects may not be fully apparent for years. Valuing a claim for a child whose academic and developmental future is still unfolding requires experience, the right experts, and a willingness to push back. Adjusters are not in the business of giving your child the benefit of the doubt.
If your child was in a car collision, even one that seemed minor, taking the following steps can protect both their health and any future claim:
Do not wait to see how your child feels in a few days. Have them evaluated by a medical provider as soon as possible after the crash, and mention the collision specifically so it is documented in their records.
Keep a close eye on your child for the first 7 to 10 days following the crash. Write down any changes in sleep, mood, behavior, appetite, or school performance, along with the date you first noticed them.
If a provider recommends rest, a reduced school schedule, or limited screen time, carefully follow those instructions and keep records of all follow-up appointments and communications.
The force experienced inside a vehicle during a crash is not always obvious from looking at the cars involved. Children's brains can sustain injury in collisions that leave adults symptom-free.
Do not give a recorded statement or sign any documents from the at-fault driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney. These companies often move quickly to close claims for less than they are worth.
In Washington, personal injury claims generally must be filed within three years of the date of the collision. However, claims involving minors are subject to different tolling rules that can extend that deadline. An attorney can help you understand exactly how much time you have and make sure nothing is missed.
Pediatric TBI claims require a different approach than a standard soft tissue case. An attorney experienced in these claims will move quickly to preserve evidence, including sending preservation letters to prevent the destruction of any vehicle data or surveillance footage, and will work with neuropsychologists, pediatric specialists, and vocational or educational experts to build a complete picture of how the injury has affected your child and what the future may hold.
In Washington, attorneys handling these cases also need to understand how to work within the state's mandatory personal injury protection (PIP) coverage framework, which requires auto insurers to pay initial medical expenses regardless of fault. Coordinating PIP benefits correctly from the start, and understanding how those payments interact with any eventual recovery, is part of making sure the full value of your child's claim is preserved.
When a minor's claim resolves, Washington law also requires court approval of the settlement to protect the child's interests. This is an additional layer that parents and attorneys must navigate together, and it is one more reason why having experienced counsel matters in these cases.
If your child was hurt in a car collision and you have concerns about a head injury, call our main office line at 800.273.5005 or email our attorneys at .
We invite you to reach out for a free consultation. There is no cost and no obligation. We are here to answer your questions and help you understand your options.
GLP Attorneys works directly with psychologists and neurologists specializing in treating and documenting brain injuries. We bring our collective experience and past successes to every traumatic brain injury case within the firm.
GLP Attorneys is proud that every one of our attorneys is an Eagle Member of the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ), the Pacific Northwest’s oldest and largest civil justice advocacy organization.
We were honored to be represented at the Annual Spring Reception and Amicus Roundtable in Seattle yesterday by Managing Shareholder and WSAJ President-Elect John Webber, along with Shareholders James Gooding and Cydney Campbell Webster; Partners Mel Westberg and Sarah Fleming; Senior Associate Travis Clark; Associates Phil Ayers, Blake Kurtzman, Joseph Burdine, Amita Brar, and Evelyn Wallace; and Staff Attorneys Mani Tung, Conner Shultz, and Abigail Good.
Events like these bring together the civil justice community to collaborate on key appellate issues and strengthen a unified voice dedicated to protecting the rights of injured individuals across Washington. Staying engaged in these conversations helps ensure our team remains at the forefront of legal developments so we can continue delivering informed, effective advocacy for our clients and communities.
This week, our We Are Here campaign brings clarity to complicated issues, helping you make informed decisions with confidence.
Today, we’re in Colville, Washington, meeting with local residents announcing our new satellite office where Partner Dwight Bond led a practical discussion on understanding and getting the most out of your insurance coverage. Find out more about your insurance policy in Washington here.
Because being here isn’t something we simply say.
It’s something we do, every week, in every community we serve.
Cultural awareness is more than a passing understanding of the people, histories, and cultures around us. It is foundational. Hear from Heather Webb, Regional Managing Attorney and Shareholder at GLP Attorneys, as she explains how the firm’s core value of community is reflected in our strong emphasis on cultural awareness and our commitment to serving diverse communities.
Heather discusses the importance of understanding the cultural backgrounds, values, and experiences of all the clients we represent. She has seen firsthand how it strengthens communication, builds trust, and leads to more meaningful legal advocacy.
At GLP Attorneys, every day we witness how personal injury cases can profoundly affect individuals, families, and entire communities. These events can transpire for anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or cultural background. That’s why we are committed to serving our community with empathy and respect, grounded in cultural awareness.
In today's world, we work, live and interact with people from all walks of life. Different cultures, languages, beliefs and backgrounds are part of the fabric of the communities we serve across the Pacific Northwest. Cultural awareness means recognizing and respecting those differences and understanding how they shape people's experiences and perspectives. When we practice cultural awareness, we create inclusive spaces.
We build trust. We reduce misunderstandings and we strengthen relationships, whether it's with a client, a colleague, or a neighbor. It's not about knowing everything. It's about being open. It's about listening and asking thoughtful questions and being willing to unlearn assumptions. At GLP Attorneys, cultural awareness is more than a soft skill. It is a responsibility. It helps us deliver better service, advocate more effectively, and foster equity in every interaction.
We all carry biases, sometimes without even knowing it. But when we choose awareness, we choose progress. Cultural awareness isn't a destination. It's a daily practice. And it starts with one simple thing: respect.
At our firm, we believe that everyone deserves access to justice, no matter what language they speak. Serving Spanish speaking clients isn't just about translation or interpretation. It's about communication, trust, and dignity. Language should never be a barrier to understanding your rights, telling your story, or getting the help you need. We know that for many Spanish speaking families, navigating the legal system can feel overwhelming or intimidating.
That's why we're here to make it accessible, respectful, and clear. We've invested in bilingual staff, Spanish language resources, and culturally informed services because representation should reflect the people we serve. It's not just about speaking the language. It's about listening. It's about understanding, connecting, and being present for our clients and their communities. When we serve Spanish speaking clients with care and cultural awareness, we build something bigger than a case.
We build trust. We build justice to us. Your voice matters. Your story matters.
Skagit County has had legal aid for over 30 years, and I have been involved in legal aid in Skagit County for about eight years. In 2020, it became apparent that we needed to do something more to meet the needs of our community. The board that I was on for our local civil legal aid decided it was time to form what is now Skagit Legal Aid.
Justice should not depend on how much money you make, what language you speak, or where you come from. Everyone deserves access to justice. Skagit Legal Aid provides free legal services affecting housing, family health and financial security and immigration. These services make our community a more equitable, happier, healthier and safer place to live and work. My participation in Skagit Legal Aid goes hand in hand with what we do at GLP attorneys.
We help those that have been wronged get the access to justice that they deserve.
Heather Webb is a Shareholder and Regional Managing Attorney at GLP Attorneys, where she is known for her tireless commitment to expanding legal access for all and advocating for those who need it most. Throughout her career, Heather has dedicated herself to serving underserved and underrepresented communities across Northwest Washington, ensuring that every person, regardless of background or circumstance, has a fair opportunity to seek justice.
As the founder of Skagit Legal Aid, Heather helped establish a vital community resource that provides free civil legal services to individuals and families who might otherwise be unable to afford representation. Her leadership and compassion have made a lasting impact on the lives of countless residents in the Skagit Valley and beyond.
Learn more about Heather’s personal injury practice here.
GLP Attorneys has supported clients with their personal injury cases for nearly four decades. GLP Attorneys has experience achieving justice for clients who have been involved in car collisions, motorcycle crashes, trucking collisions, and other types of personal injury cases.
If you have been injured in an accident, call 800-273-5005 or email our attorneys at to schedule a free lawyer consultation.
