Where compassion and expertise have

provided outstanding results since 1996

“Helping clients through their injuries,

so many are just like family to us now.”
 

Allen Law Firm Client Beats the Odds

Meet Rob!

June 4th, 2018- Upon sitting down with Rob, I am greeted by his signature smile and gracious humility. Rob recalls his injury back in 2010 when he fell from a ladder injuring his right shoulder and hip, as well as another injury in 2014, when he injured his back pouring concrete slabs.

“Physical labor was all I ever did.”

Back in high school, a talented baseball player, Rob had a scholarship to ASU with the chance to fulfill his dreams and pursue a career in professional baseball. In Rob’s Junior year of high school, he was kicked out of his home and on his own.

After pulling himself back together, he attempted to complete school as a second-year senior so he could play ball. Rob remembers running down the hall to class when the principal stopped him; “He asked me, why was I even trying? He said that all I’d ever amount to, was a ditch digger and I should just give up and quit; three days later, I did”. In the sum 30 years following Rob worked in construction, by the age of 48 Rob found himself struggling with drugs and struggling with life, in general, while living in his car. On one bitterly cold night (he recalls his hair freezing to the window) he’d had enough and checked himself in to rehab for the seventh time. Rob now has 13 years clean. 

After persevering such huge obstacles in life, Rob returned to the work force where he was faced with another- injuries. Rob remembers calling Allen Law Firm and talking to Shawna Frolich, his soon to be workmen’s compensation paralegal. He remembers her saying confidently, “I can help you with that”. He stated after meeting Shawna, he knew for sure he had someone on his side, someone he trusted. 

With 19 years of physical labor and multiple injuries, Rob’s doctors agreed he could not return to his job of injury. Rob had no return to work options, no diploma or GED and an 11th grade education level. When Shawna explained that Rob had the opportunity to go back to school and be retrained, all he felt was fear and worry. He worried that his age and schooling level would be too much to overcome. With Shawna’s support and that of his vocational counselor, Rob at age 59 completed his high school requirements and began his schooling at Bellingham Technical College in Computer machining. He remembers worrying about navigating the computer systems and finding common ground with his classmates. To Rob’s surprise, school suited him well, “I just fell in love with the program, I couldn’t have done it without Shawna’s support – she was incredibly supportive”. Rob continues to push towards his newfound career in computer machining. He will be graduating this spring with an Associate degree in Applied Sciences for Computerized Machining. “Going to BTC was nothing like high school, at BTC the instructors WANT you to succeed, they will help and encourage you every step of the way”.

I asked Rob what advice he would give to another injured worker in his position, “Get the right people in your court and just don’t stop, keep going. When you feel close to giving up, keep pushing”.

A Message from Rob’s Paralegal- “I knew the minute I heard Rob’s life story, he was a fighter, a survivor. At our first meeting, Rob expressed how lost he was, and was unsure what the future held for him.  For many of my clients like Rob, they feel the only way to make a living is with their physical strength, they just aren’t “smart” enough to do anything else.  This simply isn’t true.  I take great pleasure in helping my clients take on the challenge of retraining, and succeed. I’m so proud of Rob and can’t wait to hear all about his future adventures in life.” -Shawna Frolich - L&I Paralegal, ALLEN LAW FIRM

Read what our happy CLIENTS are saying...

New Hope For An Injured Client

Meet Bert!

Bert Cueva is a 56-year-old father of 4 grown children, grandfather to 9 grandchildren, and longtime resident of Whatcom County. On June 7 th , 2017, Bert was on the job and loading a barbecue onto a truck when he heard a dreaded “popping” noise. The following day, his knee had swelled up like a balloon and his kids urged him to go to the hospital. By then it was clear that the degree of injury would most definitely take him out of work.

Bert opened a claim with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and began treating.

After a few months (and the discovery of severe tendon strain and a complex muscular tear), Bert’s doctor released him back to work without the benefit of surgery nor further treatment or benefits. Bert was shocked in that he had not healed. His pain was prominent, and he was in dire need of surgery. His daughter (a former client) recommended he contact Craig and the team at Allen Law Firm to take over the handling of his claim. Bert recalls the relief he felt when he met with Kim and she got the ball rolling instantly.

Kim Davey has been a paralegal alongside Craig Allen, Attorney, for over 23 years. Her knowledge and savvy as a Labor and Industries paralegal is unmatched in the Bellingham legal field. Kim and Craig were able to get Bert’s claim up and running again. He began receiving his wage loss compensation and his surgery was authorized, scheduled, and completed.

After a few months of physical therapy, Bert was truly ready to close his claim. He was then evaluated for permanent impairment. Kim and Craig earnestly negotiated a Structured Settlement with Labor and Industries on Bert’s behalf. He had finally received the recovery he deserved.

Bert’s surgery (which involved the removal of his meniscus) left his knee bone-on-bone and, thus, Bert knew he could not return to his former, physically demanding work. However, he knew we was not ready to retire. He had a long-time dream of opening a food truck with the help of his family. He recalled the joy of teaching his kids how to cook when they were young. Now, Bert could use his knowledge and passion for cooking, along with his well-deserved settlement monies, to make his dream a reality.

Bert purchased and refurbished a bare-boned food truck. He began serving popular Filipino dishes including pork adobo, lumpia and pansit. Bert’s Food truck, cleverly named “WTF? Where’s the Food?” served Allen Law Firm’s annual client appreciation day held on June 14th, with much success and praise from all who were in attendance.

For more information on WTF? Where’s the Food? contact Bert Cueva at;360-510-3601 or cuevabb@yahoo.com.

Craig and his staff at Allen Law Firm are very proud of Bert and countless other clients’ successes. They will continue to break the mold in their work representing injured clients, heart first.