The coronavirus pandemic has swept across the United States and changed the way of life for most people. People in the US are focused on maintaining their health and well-being, first and foremost. However, this pandemic can also affect ongoing personal injury cases. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our personal injury attorneys in Spokane want to discuss how COVID-19 is affecting these cases and whether or not new cases are able to move forward.
COVID-19 and your ongoing personal injury case
Most people are aware that the state of Washington has been under fairly strict stay at home orders for some time now. This has also affected court cases throughout the state. Under emergency rules signed by Chief Justice Deborah L. Stephens in March 2020, all civil and criminal hearings were delayed until late April, with exceptions for emergencies and hearings that could lead to a defendant’s release within 30 days. This order could be extended, depending on the circumstances surrounding coronavirus in the state.
This will most certainly impact personal injury cases that are scheduled for trial. Any cases that have been scheduled during this time period will need to be rescheduled for a later date. Other cases that are upcoming may see their court date pushed back.
However, most personal injury cases are settled before they reach trial. Unfortunately, COVID-19 will also delay negotiations and settlement processes. Much of the work that goes into a personal injury case revolves around investigating the incident, speaking to witnesses, and taking depositions. In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, all of these activities may be delayed or altered as well.
How will new personal injury claims be affected?
Injuries caused by negligence are still occurring, and the team at Russell & Hill, PLLC is continuing to take new personal injury cases. We are still available to offer free consultations to our clients, and we will do so in a way that ensures the health and well-being of everybody involved. We can handle consultations remotely through various methods such as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, and more.
We understand that this is an unprecedented time for our state and the country, but that will not stop us from ensuring that personal injury victims obtain the closure and compensation they need for their cases.
Let our team help you through this
If you or somebody you love has an ongoing personal injury case, you may be wondering how the coronavirus pandemic may affect your claim. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we are dedicated to continuous quality service for every client we have. While the COVID-19 health crisis may change the way we operate for a little while, that will not stop us from working to secure any compensation you are entitled to for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a personal injury attorney in Spokane, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.