Dean Ralph Brett

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Brett McCandlis & Brown - Washington's Injury Lawyers

Experience: 52 years

Oregon and Washington

Washington Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyer and 12 others

Free consultation have

Awards 14

Experience 52y

Videos 3

Online & Web 8

Biography Submit listing

I grew up on Badger Mountain, in Eastern Washington, on a dry land dirt farm in an area the locals refer to as "Poverty Point." No TV. No electricity. No inside plumbing. But we did have books -- lots of books. I talked before I could walk, and carried a book everywhere, so my dad used to pat me on the head and say "This one's going to be a lawyer." He knew what kind of a lawyer I would be: a lawyer for real people, not a lawyer for big corporations -- a lawyer for the little guy with a big case.

The administrators at Whitman College couldn't understand how a kid from Poverty Point could score so well on the college entrance exams, so they offered me a scholarship. Moving to Whitman in Walla Walla was a move to a bigger town for me, and like many kids my age, I wanted to move to an even bigger city. That took me to Stanford Law School near San Francisco, where most of my graduating class went on to large firms in New York, L.A., Seattle, or D.C. But by then I had realized I wanted to move back to the Pacific Northwest.

As an injury lawyer I started out in 1972 doing whatever came in the door, mostly trial work, and soon found that helping people who had been injured through no fault of their own and who were stuck dealing with a heartless insurance company was the perfect place to accomplish my three goals in life: to do good, to do well, and to have fun doing it.

My family has a long history in horse racing -- my Uncle Lloyd raced as a jockey for 25 years. You build a law practice just like you build a career as a jockey. At first you get only horses no one else wants to ride. If you can get a few of those horses to finish better than next to last, you get a mount that has a chance to finish in the money. And if you can ride a few of those horses into Win, Place or Show, eventually stables with fast horses looking for successful jockeys find you. So it has been with my personal injury law practice: good results in small personal injury cases brought larger claims, and eventually, after winning a few million dollar settlements and verdicts, I got the opportunity to choose exactly who I wanted to represent.

Ironically, it turned out to be the same people my dad thought I should fight for: the little guy with the big case. Real people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and get injured because someone isn't being careful -- and who are stuck dealing with an insurance company that refuses to honor their injury claim.

If you'd like to talk to me about your personal injury claim, give me a call - (800) 925-1875.

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Oregon

Since 2008

Washington

Since 1972

Professional Experience

2015 - Current

Brett McCandlis & Brown PLLC

Partner

2005 - Current

United States District Court for Western District of Washington

Magistrate Judge

2011 - 2014

Brett Murphy - Washington's Injury Lawyers

Partner

2007 - 2011

Brett & Coats Personal Injury Attorneys

Partner

1972 - 2007

Brett & Daugert

Partner

Education

1970 - 1972

Stanford University

J.D.

1964 - 1968

Whitman College

B.A.

Awards

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers

Best Lawyers in America

Best Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

year - Dean Ralph Brett

Washington Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

Contacts

Brett McCandlis & Brown 1001 4th Ave. Suite 3200 Seattle WA 98154 Telephone: (800) 925-1875 Fax: (866) 437-0623

Brett McCandlis & Brown 4400 NE 77th Ave. Suite 275 Vancouver WA 98662 Toll-Free: (800) 925-1875 Telephone: (360) 671-1000 Fax: (866) 437-0623

Brett McCandlis & Brown 1310 10th Street Suite 104 Bellingham WA 98225 Telephone: (800) 925-1875 Fax: (866) 437-0623

Videos

What happens if more than one person is responsible for an accident?

When more than one person is responsible for an auto accident, the jury at trial will allocate fault among all of the at-fault parties. Because of the joint and several liability law in Washington State, if one at-fault party doesn't have enough insurance coverage to pay their part of your damages, the other at-fault party will be required to use their insurance coverage to cover the rest of your damages. Your personal injury attorney needs to establish that you are not at fault to maximize your recovery. Brett Murphy handles car accident, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury claims. Learn more at http://washingtoninjury.com/.

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What money damages are available in a personal injury case?

The six types of money damages available in a personal injury case are property damage, medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost earnings to date, future lost earnings, and general damages. A good personal injury lawyer will show an insurance adjuster or a jury how your personal injury has affected your life in these areas, and will maximize your claim settlement. Brett Murphy handles car accident, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury claims. Learn more at http://washingtoninjury.com/.

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How to use Internet ranking and rating services to find a lawyer.

To find a good lawyer, use ranking and rating services from Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory, Super Lawyers for the top 5% of lawyers in Washington State, Avvo.com to find attorneys with a perfect 10 ranking, and the Washington State Bar Association to learn if an attorney has any disciplinary actions in their history. Brett Murphy handles car accident, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury claims. Learn more at http://washingtoninjury.com/.