We’re Committed to the Greater Good
The legal aspect of an injury is just one part of helping someone get their life back. We know recovery quite literally takes a village, which is why we team up with organizations that help prevent, support and advocate for issues our clients and community.
Boots on the ground
Our philosophy has never been to throw money at a problem or to write a check to get our logo out there. We show up, ready to help in ways large and small.
We bring our clients along
We encourage our clients to join us in giving back. We know, because they tell us, that having greater sense of community and purpose can help them restore a positive focus, connect with others dealing with similar circumstances and ensure that future resources will be available for others in need.
Organizations We Support
Here are a few local organizations we’ve teamed up with to make long-term impact in Washington State and beyond:
Brain Injury Alliance of Washington (BIAWA)
The Brain Injury Alliance of Washington is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness, support, prevention, and hope to brain injury survivors, their families, and caregivers. Melissa Carter is a current Board Member and several key members of our team have also held board positions.
Brain Injury Alliance of Oregon (BIAOR)
A sister organization to the Brain Injury Alliance of Washington, Adler Giersch is a professional member and our attorneys are often invited to participate in the annual Pacific Northwest Brain Injury Conference.
Pushing Boundaries
As Washington’s only intensive exercise therapy center for those with paralysis due to injury or illness, Pushing Boundaries is a non-profit organization that focusing on clients with brain injury, spinal cord injury and neurological disorders regain mobility. Steven Anglés serves on the Board of Directors.
Chad’s Legacy Project (CLP)
Chad’s Legacy Project is a non-profit organization devoted to identifying innovation in education, access and execution of care for Mental Illness and providing leverage to accelerate those advancements to become new and effective widespread resources. Melissa Carter serves on the Board of Directors.
Harborview Medical Center Rehabilitation Unit
The Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic at Harborview offers comprehensive treatment plans for adults with a history of spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputations, burns, orthopedic injuries, soft tissue injuries and more in addition to education and support groups. Our team has contributed clothing, computers and supplies to serve staff and survivors.
Latina/o Bar Association of Washington Legal Clinics
Steven Anglés has volunteered his time to the Latina/o community by providing free legal support throughout the year at legal clinics. Steven’s paralegal, Maritza, also has volunteered her time.
University of Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems
UW TBI Model System is a government funded long-term study of people with traumatic brain injury. Findings from these studies are used to change policies to improve the lives of those with TBI.
Snohomish County DUI/Target Zero Task Force
Arthur is also a member of the Snohomish County DUI / Target Zero Task Force, a group that works to find ways to reduce drunk and drugged driving incidents in Snohomish County.
University of Washington Zackery Lystedt Endowment Professorship
Started in honor of Zack and with the support of Adler Giersch, Richard Adler and Stanley Herring, MD, the endowment provides education, outreach, clinical care and research conducted by the Seattle Sports Concussion Program.
University of Washington Endowed Fund for the Advancement of Traumatic Orthopaedic Research
The Gift shall be used to create an endowed research fund (“the fund”) to support research efforts related to traumatic orthopaedic injuries that are undertaken by students, faculty, physicians, fellows, residents, and their aligned non-physician health care colleagues within the Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
The Zackery Lystedt Law
Our client, Zack, became permanently disabled after suffering two concussions during a middle school football game. The second concussion could have been prevented had Zack not been put back in the game. It was a decision that nearly killed him.
After working on Zack’s case, our team realized that we needed to make sure this never happened to another child. Richard Adler and Zack’s family assembled a coalition with the Center for Disease Control, BIAWA, the Seahawks, Washington State Interscholastic Activities Association, Washington Youth Soccer, Seattle Children’s, UW Medicine, Washington State Athletic Trainers Association, and Canfield & Associates to draft a law to protect kids when they play sports. The law first passed in Washington State and with years of work and the added help of USA Football and the NFL, it was eventually passed in all 50 states.
The law has three key parts:
- Coaches, parents and student athletes are required to review and sign informational documents on concussion signs and symptoms.
- Any student athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion must be removed from the game.
- Evaluation and written clearance to return to sports activities must come from a licensed healthcare provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.
Learn more about the law and concussions in youth sports:
The Sports Institute – The Lystedt Law
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Heads Up Concussion
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (governing organization of the Lystedt Law in Washington State)