How Has COVID-19 Changed Personal Injury Law?

Abeyta Nelson Injury Law has taken on several new cases and continues to provide excellent client service despite COVID-19.

COVID-19 has changed everything over the past three months. Too many people have gotten sick, been hospitalized with life-threatening respiratory symptoms or have died.  Several local businesses have closed and others are in danger of going out of business.  Many people are unemployed.  Our economy has taken a big hit.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is that Abeyta Nelson Injury Law continues to serve those who have been injured or who have lost a loved one and are in need of quality legal representation.  Yes, we’ve had to make some changes.  For the past few months, in order to do our part to get our community through this pandemic, our offices in Yakima, Ellensburg, and Sunnyside have been closed.  However, we have continued to represent our clients at the highest professional level.  Since the virus hit, we’ve settled many cases to get our clients paid for past and future medical bills, past and future wage loss, disability, pain and suffering, and loss of ability to enjoy life.  As many law firms continue to work remotely for the safety of their clients and employees, here are three rules to live by during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Keep in regular contact with current clients.

Rather than meet with our clients in person—as we much prefer to do—we keep in frequent contact with our valued clients through Zoom video conferencing, by phone, and through email.  The COVID-19 pandemic we’re living through has left many families and communities vulnerable, and good client communication is more important than ever. The personal touch for which our firm is known continues as usual, but for the time being, we’re doing our best to help our community get out of Phase 1.5 and back to business as usual by working remotely.

Continue to take on new clients.

Abeyta Nelson continues to remind our community that we’re ready to consult with them any time about their case, and throughout COVID-19, we’ve continued to take on new clients. Calls from potential new clients are handled immediately. There’s no waiting days for a call back as is the case with many other law offices. Again, new client meetings are now handled via Zoom and over the phone.  Think of it as “telelaw.”

Offer efficient, friendly and bilingual service, 24/7.

During normal hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays, our friendly and helpful receptionist, Aimee, takes clients’ calls and directs them to the appropriate lawyer or legal assistant.  Our claims coordinator, Carrie, is also available to answer questions for people who call for us to represent them.  Both Aimee and Carrie are bilingual.  Our experienced medical coordinator, Kimm, is also available to provide her expertise for our clients.

Our five attorneys and 10 legal assistants, four of whom are bilingual, continue to work remotely full-time from our home offices.  We’ve also added a way for our current and prospective clients to connect with us any time of the day.  We answer your questions outside of regular business hours and on weekends and holidays through a 24/7 chat feature at abeytanelson.com.

We know that some things can’t wait. Whenever you need help, we’re here to provide it.  We hope to be able to soon resume face to face meetings with our clients.  We want to be able to return to offering hospital, nursing home, and in-home meetings for new clients who aren’t able to travel to our office.

If you or a loved one has been injured, or you’ve lost a loved one in an accident, selecting the right lawyer to help you navigate a complex and often confusing legal system, as well as helping you receive fair compensation for your loss, is critical. We understand that people who need help on a personal injury or wrongful death claim have choices.  If you’re unsure who to call, ask your family, friends, and neighbors.  We think you’ll hear Abeyta Nelson Injury Law from those you trust.

We’ve been here for our friends and neighbors in Central Washington since 1981, and we’ll continue to be here for you in the future.  Contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our five attorneys.  Remember, there’s never a fee to discuss your case with us and no attorney’s fee unless you win. As always, we take your injury personally.

-blog written by attorney Terry Abeyta, Abeyta Nelson Injury Law