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FREE Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation Consultation in Olympia and Centralia by calling (360) 754-5844 or visiting www.CentraliaLaw.com.
The State of Washington’s Spousal Privilege is found in RCWA 5.60.060(1). How long will the privilege last?
The Washington provision states, with some exceptions, that a spouse shall not testify against the other spouse without the consent of the spouse. This long-standing rule protects the confidential communications within a marriage and from one spouse receiving information and later sharing a private disclosure to the public in court.
A spouse or domestic partner shall not be examined for or against his or her spouse or domestic partner, without the consent of the spouse or domestic partner; nor can either during marriage or during the domestic partnership or afterward, be without the consent of the other, examined as to any communication made by one to the other during the marriage or the domestic partnership.
However, the New Mexico Supreme Court recently abolished the spousal communication privilege in a murder case based on testimony by the defendant’s ex-wife and estranged current spouse.
The court said the privilege “has outlived its useful life,” reported by the Legal Profession Blog and the Associated Press. Justifications that have been cited for the privilege “seem little more than soaring rhetoric and legally irrelevant sentimentality,” the court said in its Aug. 30 opinion.
How long with the Spousal Privilege last in Washington and other states? Only more cases examining the privilege will tell, but it is likely receive more scrutiny.
Althauser Rayan Abbarno attorneys have been representing individuals and businesses in Washington since 1946. For a Consultation in Olympia or Centralia call (360) 736-1301 or visit www.CentraliaLaw.com
Althauser Rayan Abbarno Estate Planning Attorneys have provided has provided estate planning and probate services for people throughout Washington state for over 70 years.
If you need experienced legal representation to assist with your estate planning goals or assist with the probate of an estate, contact us today to schedule a consultation in Olympia or Centralia at (360) 736-1301.
Continue reading Protect Your Family And Property With Estate Planning
If you were injured at work and have an open L&I claim, you may be eligible for a Vocational Counselor.
Vocational Counselors help injured workers and employers identify return to work options including job modifications. If no appropriate return to work options can be identified with your employer, the vocational counselor will assess your ability to work or need for further services.
Althauser Rayan Abbarno attorneys and professional staff help secure all your benefits and protect your rights throughout the workers’ compensation process, including vocational counseling. For a FREE consultation with our attorneys about your case, call (360) 754-5844.
If you are eligible for vocational services your counselor will help you develop a rehabilitation plan aimed at helping you return to the workplace; including but not limited to continuing your education.
Continue reading Vocational Counseling: L&I Workplace Injuries
Althauser Rayan Abbarno has offices located in Centralia and Olympia and helps injured workers in Lewis and Thurston counties, and beyond.
Established in 1946, our experienced attorneys are located where you work and where you live, our injury attorneys are available to meet with you to discuss your case, your treatment, and the benefits we can help you secure.
To Althauser Rayan Abbarno, Clients are not merely a “number” or “voice” over the phone. We are part of the community. That is why every client is a priority!
Our award-winning law office has litigated cases, secured rights, and delivered L&I benefits to injured workers throughout our community. Don’t wait to call us.
There are important deadlines in many cases, and missing one can be the end of your claim. Schedule your Free Consultation in Centralia or Olympia by calling (360) 736-1301.
The last holiday weekend of the summer typically brings additional traffic, so planning ahead and allowing extra travel time is even more critical as Labor Day approaches. The Injury Attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno in Olympia and Centralia want your family to be prepared for a vehicle collision.
Even if you take steps to stay safe, there’s still a chance that you’ll be injured in a car, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian collision. Maybe it’s more vehicles on the roadway or maybe people are just more districted, regardless collisions are on the rise.
Know what to do after an injury collision. Call Althauser Rayan Abbarno at (360) 736-1301 for your free collision glove box card.
Continue reading Prepare and Plan for Labor Day Weekend Traffic!
Spoliation, in a legal context, is any act that renders potential evidence invalid, either intentionally or through negligence. In the case of a document, for example, destroying, altering or hiding it would all be considered spoliation if the document were relevant to current litigation.
In personal injury cases or car accident cases, that could be a video, documents, mechanic reports, or a vehicle’s black box.
A party with the knowledge of an incident or injury that has the possibility of being litigated has the duty and obligation to preserve the evidence- even if it is not favorable to them.
If you were injured in a car accident, at work, or due to the negligence of another, call Althauser Rayan Abbarno in Olympia or Centralia for a FREE Injury Consultation at (360) 736-1301.
It is important to have an attorney preserving the evidence soon after an accident or injury. Call (360) 736-1301 or visit CentraliaLaw.com for your free personal injury, workers’ Compensation or car accident consultation. #Abogado #WA_Attorneys
The Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride is celebrating its 40th anniversary with up to 10,000 riders bicycling from Seattle to Portland. Althauser Rayan Abbarno injury attorneys remind drivers and bicyclists to use cause and prevent injuries.
STP is a 200 mile ride from July 13-14 that begins in Seattle. The midway point is Saturday in Centralia, with the race finishing in Portland on Sunday.
STP is considered one of the top 1o biggest recreational bicycle rides in the country. It is organized by Cascade Bicycle Club.
The injury attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno want to remind bicyclists and drivers to use caution this weekend. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, there are over 400 reported bicycle collisions in 2019; including 2 fatalities.
“Our injury attorneys see bicycle and pedestrian collisions all the time,” said Peter Abbarno, partner with Althauser Rayan Abbarno. “We are only 7 months into 2019 and there have been 400 reported Bike Accident. Bicycle and pedestrian collisions are on the rise. With 10,000 more STP riders on the road, vehicles and bike riders need to be even more aware of their surroundings and follow the rules of the road.” Althauser Rayan Abbarno is a law firm with offices in Olympia and Centralia.
Not all collisions can be avoided; however, sharing the road, having patience, wearing a helmet, and following the traffic laws can greatly reduce injuries. If you or someone you know has been injured, call the Bike Accident Attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno in Centralia and Olympia at (360) 736-1301. Althauser Rayan Abbarno represents injury victims throughout the State of Washington.
The Washington State Department of Transportation asks motorists to observe the rules of the road for safe driving around people on bikes and to prepare for travel delays during the popular recreational ride. As state driving laws periodically change, drivers may want to review the state driver guide and the driving among bicyclists section.
If you or someone you know was injured in a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian collision, contact the injury attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno for a free consultation in Olympia or Centralia. Call (360) 736-1301.
For more than 70 years, Althauser Rayan Abbarno has represented individuals and businesses in our community. Contact our attorneys near you in Centralia and Olympia by calling (360) 736-1301.
The law offices of Althauser Rayan Abbarno are supporting the Little Red Schoolhouse Supply Drive this year by matching $1,000.00 of donations to the organization at the KXXO Mixx 96.1 on air marathon August 9th.
“Every child in our community deserves the necessary supplies to be successful in School,” said Peter Abbarno, attorney and partner with Althauser Rayan Abbarno. “A core value of ours is making a difference by giving back and supporting educational opportunities. Our office also leads the Centralia Back to School Supply Drive.”
On August 9th, KXXO MIxx 96.1 radio will be hosting a 12-hour marathon. On air personalities will be on the corner of State and Washington in downtown Olympia asking for donations.
The attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno will be making an appearance to match up to $1,000.00 from KXXO listener donations.
“Our attorneys and staff believe in making a difference by giving back to the communities where we live, work, and play,” said Todd Rayan, attorney and partner with Althauser Rayan Abbarno. “We love having opportunities to give back and we appreciate the relationship with KXXO Mixx 96.1. Our office also sponsors the morning Tribond contest at 7:40 and sponsor the Christmas Toy Drive.”
The Little Red Schoolhouse Project will be distributing the supplies on August 15 from 8am to 6pm at Komachin Middle School in Lacey. For more information or to donate, visit www.redschool.com.
Althauser Rayan Abbarno has been representing individuals and businesses in our community since 1946. To meet with their attorney in Olympia on Pervical Landing or in Centralia in historic downtown, call (360) 754-5844 or visit Centralialaw.com
Generally, courts in the State of Washington will enforce covenants of noncompetition if the covenant is reasonable.
Whether a covenant is reasonable involves a consideration of three factors: (1) whether restraint is necessary for the protection of the business or goodwill of an employer, (2) whether it imposes upon the employee any greater restraint than is reasonably necessary to secure the employer’s business or goodwill, and (3) whether the degree of injury to the public is such that the loss of the service and skill of the employee warrants nonenforcement of the covenant.
A covenant not to compete must be supported by consideration. If the covenant not to compete is entered into at the time that employment commences, the general rule in Washington is that consideration sufficient to support the covenant is inherent in employment itself. On the other hand, if the covenant not to compete is entered into after employment commences, there must be independent consideration.
Public policy requires that a court carefully examine covenants not to compete, even when protection of a legitimate business interest is demonstrated, because of equally competing concerns of freedom of employment and free access of the public to professional services.
Beginning January 1, 2020 there will be a new standard for covenants of noncompetition between employers and employees, which prohibit employees from seeking employment with competing companies. The new standard was passed by the State Legislature in the 2019 Session.
The new law makes these employment agreements unenforceable unless they meet a newly defined set of criteria, including that the employee earns more than $100,000 per year (adjusted for inflation) and that the noncompete period does not exceed 18 months.
If the agreement is a condition of employment, the terms of the agreement must be disclosed to prospective employees beforehand. It also requires that laid-off employees continue to be paid during the enforcement period.
The new law also prohibits noncompete agreements for contractors unless the contractor is paid more than $250,000, and allows courts to assess damages or a $5,000 penalty, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees.
Many contracts are complex and confusing for both sides of the agreement. Understanding your rights and responsibilities is very important. For a consultation with an Althauser Rayan Abbarno attorney in Centralia or Olympia call (360) 736-1301 or visit Centralialaw.com