No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
(206) 800-8000
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
(206) 800-8000
November 21, 2002, was a typical November evening in Seattle—dark, rainy, and crowded with heavy traffic on northbound Interstate 5. I was driving home from work and had noticed a Volvo tailgating me for the last mile.
Suddenly, traffic ahead came to a complete stop. I was able to bring my 1998 Mustang to a halt, but the driver behind me never touched his brakes. He slammed into the rear of my car, forcing my Mustang into a large SUV in front of me. The rear of my vehicle was crushed, and the SUV’s trailer hitch split my front bumper in two.
At the Dubin Law Group, our Seattle lawyers fight to get the best possible result in personal injury cases of all types. Our team of attorneys brings nearly 200 years of cumulative experience to these cases.
I knew right away that I was hurt. My neck and right shoulder felt tight, and pain had already begun in my lower left back. I remained in my vehicle until medics arrived. They placed me in a cervical collar and on a backboard before transporting me by ambulance to Virginia Mason Medical Center.
At the emergency room, I was examined and X-rayed. I was prescribed pain medication and muscle relaxers and instructed to follow up if the pain didn’t resolve—fairly typical ER treatment.
I followed up with a chiropractor and began chiropractic care along with massage therapy. At first, I believed my injuries were limited to neck and upper-back strains.
Over the next few months, those areas gradually improved—but my lower back did not. Instead, the pain worsened. Shooting pain radiated into my left hip and down my leg to my toes. My hip and leg muscles began to spasm constantly.
My chiropractor referred me for a lumbar spine MRI. The results showed disc bulges and protrusions at multiple levels. Most significantly, there was an annular tear at the L5-S1 disc, causing a protrusion that pressed against a nerve root.
This explained the persistent and radiating pain down my leg.
Based on the MRI findings, my doctor referred me to a rehabilitation and physical medicine specialist. The specialist ordered additional diagnostic testing, prescribed new pain medications, and started me on a course of physical therapy.
The therapy was excruciating. At times, I could not roll from my back to my side. I couldn’t lift, twist, sit for extended periods, run, or participate in sports. Even getting in and out of my car was a struggle.
Within weeks of starting physical therapy, I received my first epidural steroid injection at the L5-S1 level. The injection brought significant relief and allowed me to continue treatment.
Each time the symptoms returned, I received another injection. Over the next two and a half years, I ultimately underwent seven epidural injections.
No Fees Unless We Win
During this period, I consulted an orthopedic surgeon, who recommended surgical intervention. However, the odds gave me pause: an 80 percent chance of full recovery, a 15 percent chance of no change, and a 5 percent chance of permanent worsening.
Because the injections were helping manage my pain, I was unwilling to accept a one-in-20 risk of making my condition permanently worse. I chose to continue conservative treatment instead.
In September 2003—nearly a year after the accident—my insurance company requested an independent medical examination. The examining physician documented muscle weakness and atrophy in my left leg, along with spasms and reduced range of motion.
He also noted that the disc tear created a permanent weak spot, making me more vulnerable to future injury. Based on this evaluation, my PIP benefits continued to cover my accident-related medical care.
By March 2004, I had lost more than 30 pounds and significantly strengthened my core. While I continued to experience flare-ups of pain and disability, I was gradually able to resume most of my pre-accident activities and begin enjoying life again.
Later in 2004, I negotiated a policy-limits settlement with the insurance company for the driver who hit me. Shortly afterward, I reached an additional settlement under my own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
While no amount of money can undo the harm I suffered, the settlement paid my medical bills, compensated for time away from my growing law practice, and allowed me to plan for the future.
Since the settlement, I’ve focused on maintaining a healthy weight and keeping my core strong. This has proven to be the most effective way to manage my symptoms.
To this day, my lower back still flares up after strenuous activity. Fortunately, those flare-ups resolve, allowing me to live the life I want and remain an active father to my young son.
My experience with a herniated disc gives me unique insight into what my injured clients are going through. I understand how disruptive this kind of injury can be—not just physically, but emotionally and financially.
I also know firsthand the stress of dealing with insurance companies while trying to heal and regain a sense of normalcy. That’s why I don’t see my clients as files—I see them as real people facing one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
At our office, we are committed not only to securing the best possible recovery for our clients but to making the entire process as smooth, supportive, and stress-free as possible.
If you have been injured in an accident in the Seattle area and wish to speak to a lawyer about your legal options, please call 206-800-8000 or contact us online.
Matt Dubin has spent more than 20 years honing his skills as one of the top personal injury lawyers in the State of Washington. In his career, Matt has focused on protecting consumers from dangerous household products, medical mistakes, roadway accidents, and many other causes of injury. Matt has recovered nearly $20 million on behalf of his clients.
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At the Dubin Law Group, we bring more than 40 years of experience to cases involving injuries to children and adults. We handle all accident cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning you will pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
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