Injured by someone else’s negligence.
If you have been harmed in an accident caused by someone else’s reckless actions, you should not be the party left paying for it.
Whatcom County · Washington · Since 2006
Advancing justice by empowering people.
Coppinger Law P.S. represents individuals seeking justice and financial recovery in personal injury, employment law and appellate matters — in both Washington state and federal courts.
4.9 from 46 reviews · Washington Super Lawyer 2021–2025 · WSAJ Eagle Member
Lawyer in Whatcom County
Seriously injured, or up against your employer?
Established 2006
Deeply rooted in the local community.
Based in Whatcom County, serving Bellingham, Everson, Ferndale and surrounding areas — committed to clients feeling valued, supported and heard.
Adversely affected by workplace injustice.
Decades of experience representing clients taking on employers over harassment, termination, retaliation and contract disputes.
Seeking an appeal after trial.
Whether you are pursuing the outcome you wanted or building a sustainable defense to a previous litigation result.
We will always be in your corner.
You are kept up to date so you can make informed decisions, and are never caught unawares by new developments in your case.
Our practice areas
Personal injury, employment law and appeals.
Car accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are among Washington’s most common causes of serious injuries. We can help you throughout the auto accident claims process.
Truck accidents
Collisions involving commercial trucks bring larger injuries, more insurers and more parties to hold accountable.
Motorcycle accidents
Motorcyclists often receive a bad rap from insurance companies and juries. We will give you the respect that your case deserves.
Bicycle accidents
When a bicyclist is injured in an accident with a motor vehicle, they can suffer catastrophic or life-threatening injuries. Our lawyer can help you seek financial recovery.
Pedestrian accidents
A person on foot has no protection in a collision. These cases often turn on visibility, right of way and the driver’s attention.
Medical malpractice
Doctors and other health care providers who breach their duty of care to their patients should be held accountable for their negligence.
Wrongful death
When negligence takes a family member, we pursue the recovery Washington law allows for those left behind.
Employment law
Counsel primarily for employees.
We address lawsuits involving wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation and wage-hour disputes in both state and federal courts — by negotiation, mediation, arbitration or trial. We also review and negotiate severance agreements, appeal unemployment benefit denials, and file administrative complaints with the Human Rights Commission, the EEOC and other agencies.
- Wrongful termination, including discharge for refusing to commit illegal acts
- Discrimination based on a protected characteristic
- Hostile work environment and workplace harassment
- Illegal retaliation for reporting safety violations, misconduct or fraud
- Whistleblower complaints and protection from retaliation
- Wage-hour complaints and unpaid overtime
- Meal and rest break violations
- Severance negotiations, reviews and disputes
- Accommodations for disabilities, and the failure to provide them
- Violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act
- Non-compete agreements and restrictive covenants
- Employment agreements and contract negotiations
- Worker benefits, retirement pay, disability benefits and sick leave
- Disputes over professional licenses, including suspensions
- Representation for public employees with government employers
- Appellate review of decisions by judges and administrative agencies
Meet your attorney
Carrie M. Coppinger
Principal of the litigation firm of Coppinger Law P.S., established in 2006 in Whatcom County. After starting with a Seattle-based insurance defense firm, she transitioned her skills to work for individuals in 2000 and never looked back.
She is primarily focused on personal injury, wrongful death, insurance coverage, contract disputes, employment matters and the associated appeals — and she embraces the firm’s motto of advancing justice by empowering people.
Washington Super Lawyer, 2021–2025
Rising Star — 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
WSAJ Eagle Member
Volunteer Lawyer Award, LAW Advocates
Education
- Juris Doctorate, 1998
Seattle University School of Law - Double B.A., 1991
University of Washington — Society & Justice, with honors, and English - Externship with Justice Charles Johnson, Washington State Supreme Court
Admitted to practice
- Washington State Supreme Court, 1999
- U.S. District Court, Western & Eastern Districts of Washington, 1999
- United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1999
- Lummi Tribal Court for the Lummi Nation, 2002
- Nooksack Tribal Court, 2008
Service to the profession
- WSAJ Board of Governors, 2nd Congressional District, 2001–09
- WSBA Disciplinary Board, 2006–09
- WSBA Professionalism Committee
- Federal Magistrate Merit Selection Panel, Western District
- WSBA Litigation Section Board, 2013–present
Published cases
- Broad v. Mannesmann Anlagenbau A.G.
141 Wash.2d 670, 10 P.3d 371 (2000) - Kruchek v. Sedro Woolley School District
110 Wash. App. 1006 (2002)
Testimonials
What clients say.
4.9
Excellent
46 reviews · Google & Avvo
46 reviews · Google & Avvo
Do not sign an NDA without talking to Carrie first. She will help you understand your employee rights in Washington State. In my case she helped me identify that the NDA I was being asked to sign was illegal. She suggested edits and helped me proceed with confidence in resistance to a corporate giant bully. Carrie is a champion of the working class.
Coppinger Law is outstanding! From the intake specialist to Ms Coppinger herself, they all are very professional, incredibly welcoming. I went in feeling beat down and fearful and very anxious with my work situation. I left feeling supported, informed, empowered and confident in what my next steps need to be.
I was worried that no one would help me with my job situation. I called them and I have been treated so kindly from the beginning and professionally even before they agreed to take me as a client. They have given me lots of great advice and are working with me to solve my case.
I needed legal guidance and Coppinger Law provided me with excellent advice and guidance. If I need further legal assistance, I will definitely be reaching out to Coppinger Law again.
Our values
10%
of all firm profits, donated locally since 2006
Since the firm was established, Coppinger Law P.S. has consistently designated ten percent of all profits to be donated back to the local community through non-profit organizations serving youth, the disabled, those in need, and access to justice programs.
Most notably, the firm has sponsored the Rascal Rodeo at the NW Washington Fair for over a decade — an event that shares the adrenaline rush and sense of accomplishment of the western way of life with those who fight their battles in a different arena.
Rascal Rodeo
LAW Advocates
Legal Foundation of WA
Buddy Walk — Down Syndrome of Whatcom County
The Arc of Whatcom County
Everson Elementary Playground
Local youth sports
Areas we serve
Rooted in the north corner of Washington.
Coppinger Law P.S. is based in Whatcom County and has represented clients in state and federal courts, and in the Lummi and Nooksack tribal courts, since 2006.
Whatcom County
BellinghamCar, truck, bicycle, motorcycle, pedestrian, slip & fall, wrongful death
FerndaleCar, truck, bicycle, motorcycle
LyndenCar, truck, bicycle, motorcycle
EversonCar, truck, bicycle, motorcycle
BlaineCar, truck, bicycle, motorcycle
Birch BayCar, truck, bicycle, motorcycle
All of Whatcom County ↗
Frequently asked questions
Answers before your first call.
What are your fees?
Coppinger Law P.S. offers various fee agreements to meet different circumstances and needs. These can include a flat rate one-time consultation fee, an hourly fee agreement, or a contingency fee agreement.
What does contingency mean?
Under a contingency fee agreement, the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery rather than an hourly charge. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee. The written agreement sets out the percentage and how costs are handled.
Does a personal injury claim have to be filed within a certain period?
Yes. Washington sets statutory deadlines that vary by claim type, and some are shorter than people expect. Claims against government entities carry additional notice requirements. Call early — waiting costs options.
What can I do if I believe I’ve been wrongfully terminated?
Write down what happened while it is fresh, keep copies of your reviews, contract and any written communications, and do not sign a severance agreement or NDA before it has been reviewed. Then contact the office for a case review.
What should I do after a car accident?
Get medical attention, report the collision, photograph the scene and vehicles, collect the other driver’s insurance details and any witness contacts, and be careful about recorded statements to the other insurer before you have advice.
How long does an appeal take?
Appeals run on the court’s calendar rather than the parties’. Briefing, argument and decision commonly span many months, and timelines differ between state and federal appellate courts.
Free consultation
Selecting an attorney is a hard decision. It should be.
No attorney can guarantee success in any sort of case. But our team works collaboratively, drawing from each other’s perspectives and strengths to create a better result for our clients. Call to schedule your free case evaluation.