If you have been the victim of an assault in Washington, you could be entitled to compensation for what you have been through. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we understand all avenues that victims of assault can take to recover compensation for their losses. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will investigate what happened in your case and walk you through the entire process, whether you are pursuing a claim through a victim’s compensation fund or through a personal injury lawsuit. Let our Seattle personal injury attorneys help you today.
What ways can victims pursue compensation?
Victims of assault often suffer varying injuries. This can include physical injuries as well as emotional and psychological injuries. However, unlike injury cases resulting from vehicle accidents, these cases do not come with insurance coverage from the other side.
Victims of assault have two ways to pursue compensation for what has happened to them – through the state victim’s compensation program and through a personal injury lawsuit.
Crime Victims Compensation Program
This program is set up and run through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. To be eligible to receive compensation through this program:
- You must have a bodily injury or severe emotional distress from a crime.
- The crime had to have been a gross misdemeanor or a felony.
- A report must have been filed with law enforcement within one year of the date the crime occurred or within one year of when it could reasonably have been reported.
- You must have provided reasonable cooperation with law enforcement throughout the investigation and prosecution of the offender.
Personal injury lawsuits
Victims of criminal assaults can also decide to pursue the perpetrator through the civil courts with a personal injury lawsuit.
Why would a lawsuit be necessary as opposed to the victim’s compensation fund?
You can file a personal injury lawsuit against a person even if they have not been charged with a crime. Just because the state does not want to prosecute a case as a misdemeanor or a felony does not mean that you were not assaulted. There are restrictions on the victim’s compensation fund, including the amount of compensation you receive and the time frame, that are not present in a personal injury lawsuit situation.
- You still need to file a personal injury lawsuit within two years from the date the injury occurred.
Let us get to work on your case today
If you or a loved one have been the victim of assault, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. You may be able to recover compensation for what has happened to you. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to step in and ensure you get the coverage you deserve. This can include:
- Coverage for medical and dental expenses
- Counseling costs
- Medication coverage
- Mental health treatment
- Lost wages
- And more
When you need a personal injury attorney in Seattle to help with assault compensation, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.