PROUDLY SERVING STEVENS, LINCOLN & GRANT COUNTIES
Brain Injuries
Brain Injury Attorney in Spokane
Serving TBI Victims & Families Across Eastern Washington Since 1980
A traumatic brain injury can reshape every part of a person’s life, often before the full extent of the damage is understood. Memory loss, mood shifts, and cognitive changes may appear days or weeks after an accident, leaving families uncertain about what comes next. Insurance companies often push for quick settlements during that window before anyone fully knows what the injury may cost in the long run.
At Maxey Law Office, we represent people with serious brain and head injuries and their families throughout Spokane and Eastern Washington. Our firm was founded in 1980 by Carl Maxey, a decorated trial lawyer and civil rights leader whose commitment to integrity, equality, and justice still shapes every case we handle. If you’re looking for a brain injury attorney Spokane families can trust for direct access and personal attention, we’re here to listen.
Our brain injury attorneys in Spokane can explain your options and answer your questions. Reach out to us online or call us at (509) 652-3330.
Why Brain Injury Cases Are Legally Complex
TBIs aren’t like broken bones. They affect how a person thinks, speaks, remembers, moves, and relates to the people around them. Symptoms including headaches, memory gaps, mood changes, and coordination problems can appear days or weeks after the initial incident. Standard MRI and CT scans may not detect microscopic or cellular-level damage, which makes these injuries harder to document and easier for opposing parties to dispute.
Many people contact us after noticing persistent changes even when early scans came back normal. They’re worried about work, school, and independence, and they’re unsure whether to trust an insurance company to handle things fairly. The injured person is often the least equipped to advocate for themselves at exactly the moment they need to act most decisively.
Our firm has been part of the Spokane legal community since 1980. We’ve long served clients across Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, and we’ve built our practice on advocating for people who are vulnerable or treated unfairly. When we take on a brain injury case, we work carefully to understand the full impact on you and your family before we communicate with insurers about any possible resolution.
How Our Spokane Brain Injury Lawyers Support You & Your Family
When you contact our office about a possible brain injury claim, our first priority is to listen. We want to understand how the injury happened, what symptoms you or your loved one are experiencing, and how daily life has changed. From there, we can review available medical information and discuss whether a legal claim may be appropriate.
Throughout the case, we strive to provide personalized attention and open communication. Brain injury cases can feel particularly confusing, so we explain each step in plain language and give you time to ask questions. We keep you updated about what’s happening and what to expect next. That may involve collecting records, speaking with insurance carriers, or preparing for court if it comes to that.
Accessibility is a core part of how we practice. Many people with brain injuries face fatigue, overstimulation, and transportation challenges that make traditional office visits difficult. Family members and caregivers often take an active role in legal discussions when the injured person has trouble concentrating or following complex conversations. When needed, our attorneys can arrange to meet clients at home or in hospitals in and around Spokane. Phone and video consultations are available as a starting point when an in-person visit isn’t immediately practical. This approach reflects the values Carl Maxey brought to this firm and our ongoing commitment to client well-being throughout complex legal work.
Common Brain Injury Causes & Symptoms in the Spokane Region
People in Spokane and the surrounding communities experience brain injuries in many different ways. Some follow motor vehicle collisions on busy routes connecting the city with the rest of Eastern Washington. Others result from falls, unsafe property conditions, sports or recreational incidents, or violent assaults. Regardless of cause, the effects often reach far beyond the initial emergency room visit.
Families frequently contact us after noticing subtle but persistent changes, even when initial scans were normal. Documenting symptoms over time, including how they affect work, school, and daily activities, strengthens both medical care and any subsequent legal claim.
Some symptoms that may signal a brain injury include:
- Headaches, dizziness, or balance problems that don’t go away
- Memory gaps, trouble concentrating, or feeling mentally foggy
- Sensitivity to light or noise, or difficulty with busy environments
- Changes in mood, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression
- Sleep problems, including sleeping much more or much less than usual
- Slurred speech, weakness, or changes in coordination
If you notice these changes in yourself or someone you love after an accident, medical follow-up is critical. Save all medical records and keep notes about how symptoms affect work or school. If another person’s carelessness contributed to the injury, those details help a brain injury attorney in Spokane evaluate whether a legal claim may provide support for future care.
Your Legal Options Under Washington Law
When a brain injury is caused by someone else’s unsafe choices, Washington law may allow you to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. That process can feel overwhelming when you’re focused on medical appointments and daily care. Our role is to manage the legal side and explain your choices so you can make informed decisions.
Filing Deadlines & the Discovery Rule
One deadline families should be aware of: In most cases, Washington’s personal injury statute of limitations under RCW 4.16.080 is three years from the date of injury. Missing that deadline can permanently bar the right to recover compensation. When a brain injury wasn’t immediately apparent, Washington’s discovery rule may affect when that clock begins to run, but this depends on the specific facts of each case. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more options may remain available.
What Losses May Be Recoverable
Losses that may be considered in a brain injury claim often include:
- Past and future medical treatment, including rehabilitation or therapy
- Lost income or reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to the same work
- Assistance with daily activities or attendant care if needed
- Pain, suffering, and the impact on your enjoyment of life
Every case is different, and no attorney can predict an exact outcome at the start. Courts, insurance companies, and juries consider how the injury happened, how clear the medical evidence is, and how long the effects are expected to last. As your brain injury attorney in Spokane, we work to present your situation fully so decision-makers understand not only the immediate costs but the long-term consequences for you and your family.
What to Do After a Suspected Brain Injury
Taking practical steps early can protect both your loved one’s health and their legal rights.
Here are helpful actions families can take:
- Seek and follow medical care. Encourage your loved one to get an immediate evaluation and attend recommended follow-up appointments, even if they feel somewhat better.
- Track symptoms and changes. Keep a simple journal of memory problems, headaches, emotional changes, or other issues you notice, and record how these affect work, school, or relationships.
- Save important documents. Collect discharge instructions, imaging reports, bills, and any correspondence from insurance companies. These records connect the incident to later problems.
- Be cautious about quick settlements. Insurance adjusters may offer money before the full extent of the injury is known. Accepting too early can limit the ability to seek help for future care needs.
- Consider talking with an attorney. A conversation with a brain injury lawyer can help you understand whether a claim may be available and how to move forward without adding unnecessary stress.
We know that travel and long meetings are difficult for many families. Our attorneys can arrange phone or video consultations, and when appropriate, we can meet clients at hospitals or at home in and around Spokane. Our goal is to meet you where you are and give clear guidance rather than ask you to fit into a rigid process.
Why Families Choose Maxey Law Office for Brain Injury Cases
Many people who call us are speaking with a brain injury attorney in Spokane for the first time. They’re not only worried about the legal process. They’re worried about being treated like a case file instead of a person. Our firm has been part of Spokane since 1980, and we’ve built our practice on the belief that every client deserves to be heard and treated with respect.
Our history is rooted in the work of Carl Maxey, who combined trial skill with a deep commitment to civil rights and fairness. That legacy guides us as we handle serious injury cases today. We take time to understand how an injury has affected your life, and we work to help ensure that reality is reflected when we speak with insurers or present your case in court. Because we’ve represented clients throughout Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho for many years, we know the regional courts and the practical realities of getting care in and around Spokane. We’re not a distant, large-market firm. We’re accessible for in-person meetings and maintain regular communication with clients and families from the first call through resolution.
To talk with our team about a potential brain injury claim, call (509) 652-3330.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Will I Know If I Have a Brain Injury Case?
The best way to know is to speak with an attorney who can look at the details of what happened and how you’ve been affected. In general, a legal claim may be possible when someone else’s unsafe actions contributed to the incident and you suffered measurable harm as a result: medical costs, lost income, or changes in your ability to work or enjoy life. When you contact our firm, we review medical records, incident reports, and your description of symptoms and explain how Washington law may apply to your situation.
What If My Loved One Can’t Handle Legal Decisions Right Now?
It’s common for spouses, parents, or adult children to contact us because the injured person isn’t able to take the lead. We regularly work with family members in these situations and include the injured person to the extent their condition allows. Washington law has specific rules about who can make decisions for another adult. During an initial consultation, we can discuss how decision-making is currently handled in your family and explain what steps may be needed before a case can move forward.
How Much Does It Cost to Talk with Your Team?
There’s no cost. We offer free initial consultations so you can ask questions and learn about your options without pressure. For personal injury matters, including brain injury cases, we commonly work with fee arrangements that don’t require upfront payment from the client. The specific arrangement depends on the facts of the case and your agreement with the firm. During your consultation, we’ll explain how fees work and what to expect if you decide to move forward.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Brain Injury Claim in Washington?
In most cases, Washington’s personal injury statute of limitations under RCW 4.16.080 gives injured people three years from the date of injury to file a claim. Missing this deadline can permanently bar the right to recover compensation. When a brain injury wasn’t immediately obvious, Washington’s discovery rule may affect when that clock began to run, but this depends on the specific circumstances. Because individual situations vary, speaking with an attorney as early as possible is the safest way to protect your rights.
How Involved Will I Need to Be If I’m Dealing With Fatigue or Memory Problems?
We adapt how we work so you can participate without being overwhelmed. You’ll be involved in key decisions and provide information about your life before and after the injury, but we structure conversations to respect your limitations. Family members can attend meetings, take notes, and fill in details when memory is affected. We can break discussions into shorter sessions, use written summaries, and choose communication methods that work best for you.
How Long Do Brain Injury Cases Usually Take?
Timeline varies widely. Some matters resolve in several months; others take considerably longer, particularly when the injury is severe or when there are disputes about fault or the extent of harm. Medical stability is often a key factor. It can take time for doctors to understand how permanent the effects may be, and that information matters when evaluating any potential resolution. Other factors include how quickly records can be gathered, how the insurance company responds, and whether a lawsuit is filed. We keep you updated throughout and work to move your case forward as efficiently as circumstances allow.
Can You Meet Us at the Hospital or at Our Home?
Yes. When necessary, we can arrange to meet with clients at hospitals or at home in and around Spokane. Brain injuries often make travel difficult or exhausting, and we don’t want that to prevent you from getting legal guidance. A phone or video meeting is often the best place to start, followed by an in-person visit when you’re ready. Call our office and explain your situation, and we’ll find the most comfortable and practical way to connect.
When you contact us, your first conversation is focused on understanding what you’re facing and discussing possible next steps.
Washington’s Comparative Fault Rules & Insurance in Brain Injury Claims
Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule under RCW 4.22, which means an injured person’s compensation may be reduced by their percentage of responsibility for the incident. Unlike states that bar recovery entirely when a claimant shares any blame, Washington allows recovery even when the injured person was partly at fault. The compensation is simply adjusted proportionally based on how fault is allocated.
In practice, this matters because insurance companies representing at-fault parties often argue that the injured person bears some share of responsibility. They may also dispute the severity of a brain injury on the grounds that standard imaging doesn’t always reveal cellular-level damage. That argument makes objective medical documentation especially important. Neuropsychological evaluations, specialist assessments, and detailed physician notes can establish cognitive and functional deficits that an MRI or CT scan alone won’t capture.
Recorded statements deserve particular caution. Insurance adjusters sometimes contact injured people or their families early in the process and request a recorded interview. Statements made without legal guidance can be used to reduce or deny a claim. Before agreeing to any recorded conversation with an insurer, it’s worth speaking with an attorney who understands how Washington’s personal injury law applies to your situation.
Medical Evidence That Matters in a Spokane Brain Injury Claim
Brain injury cases often turn on the quality and completeness of the medical record. Because standard imaging doesn’t always detect the full extent of the damage, building a compelling claim typically requires more than a single emergency room report.
Medical records, imaging reports, and physician notes that draw a clear line between the incident and the injury are foundational. Neuropsychological evaluations and specialist assessments go further, documenting cognitive deficits, personality changes, and functional limitations that a scan alone may not show. These evaluations translate the day-to-day reality of living with a brain injury into documented clinical findings that insurance companies and courts can evaluate.
Testimony from people who knew the injured person before and after the incident can also carry real weight. Employers, teachers, coaches, and family members can speak to changes in behavior, performance, and personality that reinforce what the medical records show. Combined with documentation of ongoing rehabilitation costs, therapy expenses, and projected future care needs, this evidence helps establish both the human impact and the financial scope of the injury. Building that evidentiary foundation is a central part of how we prepare every brain injury case we handle in Spokane and across Eastern Washington.
