Mel Westberg

Bar / Professional Activity

• Washington State Association for Justice, Eagle Member, 2013-Present, 2025
• Oregon State Bar, 2025
• Washington State Bar, 2011-Present, 2025
• South King County Roundtable Section, Co-chair, 2016-2017, 2017

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• $2.3 million settlement for a client injured on a construction site., 2025
• $1.8 million settlement for a trip and fall client., 2025
• $500,000 million settlement for a client injured in a collision., 2025
• $350,000 recovery for a client injured as a result of a fall on a construction site., 2025
• $250,000 settlement for a client injured in a rear-end collision., 2025
• $250,000 recovery for a client injured when attacked and bitten by a dog., 2025
• $220,000 recovery for a client injured in a rear-end collision., 2025
• $153,000 settlement for a motorcycle client with signifcant injuries that was struck by a car., 2025
• $150,000 settlement for a client injured in a head-on collision., 2025
• $138,000 recovery for a client injured in a rear-end collision., 2025
• $125,000 recovery for a client injured in a rear-end collision., 2025
• $125,000 recovery for a client injured when struck by a car riding a bike., 2025
• $100,000 settlement for a client injured in a sideswipe collision., 2025
• $100,000 recovery for a client injured in a t-bone collision., 2025
• $100,000 recovery for a client who experienced misconduct from a massage therapist., 2024
• $135,000 (policy limits) recovery for a client who sustained a concussion in a motor vehicle collision., 2024
• $175,000 recovery for a client with shoulder impingement syndrome resulting from a motor vehicle collision., 2024
• $200,000 (policy limits) recovery for the victim of a drunk driving accident., 2024
• $1,060,000 recovery for a client with cervical and lumbar facet joint injuries requiring nerve ablations., 2024
• $3,000,000 recovery for an injured construction worker., 2024
• $260,000 settlement for a client who slipped and fell at a gym., 2023
• $430,000 settlement for a client who had a SLAP tear in their shoulder., 2023
• $390,000 settlement for a client who sustained a facet joint injury from a motor vehicle collision., 2023

Videos

• The biggest difference between being a bicyclist and a pedestrian hit by a car versus a car getting hit by another car is how the medical bills are processed through insurance.  I recently had a client come to me who was a pedestrian hit by a car. She had tried to handle the case on her own  for months and was very frustrated.  She had been severely injured and in the hospital.  Her health insurance processed the bills,  but she was left with a huge patient responsibility portion that ended up in collections. Nobody had told her - not the insurance companies nor the doctors that had treated her - that her entire medical bill could be covered by the pip insurance from the vehicle that had hit her and the pip insurance for her own vehicle. When she came to GLP she was able to get all of her medical bills paid through that insurance and we were really happy help her.  We understand all the nuances of insurance for any injury., Automobile Collision: "If I'm a pedestrian or bicyclist in a collision, how does my case differ than if I were in a vehicle?", 2021
• PIP is a no-fault coverage. This means that it applies to the driver of the vehicle, anyone in the vehicle, even pedestrians and bicyclists that may come into contact with the vehicle regardless of fault. It covers medical expenses up to the limit of coverage which is usually $10,000 in Washington. It also covers thins like lost earnings or reimbursements for things like help around the house if you are unable to do things like housework or yardwork due to injuries sustained in a collision. , Automobile Collision: “What is PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and how do I use it?”, 2021
• The best thing I can say right now if you have not been in an accident yet and you don’t have insurance on your vehicle, please go out and get insurance. It can be the difference between having a case or not having a case if you were to get into a crash. If you are already in a situation where you have been in a crash and you didn’t have insurance, you may still have a case, but you won’t know until you talk to an attorney. , Automobile Collision: “What do I do if I don’t have insurance and get into a car crash?”, 2021
• In addition to having a worker’s compensation claim through L&I, you also have a claim against the at-fault party in this case the other driver for things like your pain and suffering and your emotional distress. That is where we come in. We present drivers who have been injured on the job in regard to their claims against the at-fault driver for their pain and suffering and damages.    , Automobile Collision: "If I'm injured in a car at work, what do I do?", 2021

Honors

• The Best of the PNW Contest, sponsored by The Seattle Times, is an annual reader-driven competition celebrating excellence across the Pacific Northwest. The contest recognizes outstanding businesses, organizations, and professionals in a wide range of categories—from legal services and healthcare to dining, entertainment, and community impact. Thousands of readers cast their votes to honor the people and companies that make the region exceptional. Being named a winner or finalist is a mark of distinction that reflects strong community trust, quality service, and a deep local presence, The Best of the PNW - Best Personal Injury Firm, Seattle Times, 2025
• An annual recognition program that honors companies in Washington state (especially around the Puget Sound region) for outstanding workplace culture and employee engagement. GLP Attorneys placed in the Top 5 of the large company category., Washington's Best Work Places, Puget Sound Business Journal, 2025
• Named a Top 10 Seattle Personal Injury Attorney by Forbes Magazine, 2023, 2024, Top 10 Seattle Personal Injury Attorney, Forbes Magazine, 2024
• Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2024
• Named a Top 10 Seattle Car Accident Lawyer by Forbes Magazine, 2024, Top 10 Seattle Car Accident Lawyer, Forbes Magazine, 2024
• Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5% are names to the Rising Stars list. , Washington Rising Star List, Super Lawyers, 2023
• Named a Top 10 Seattle Personal Injury Attorney by Forbes Magazine, 2023, 2024, Top 10 Seattle Personal Injury Attorney, Forbes Magazine, 2023
• In 2020, Melissa was selected as one of the Top 40 Under 40 plaintiffs lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers., Top 40 under 40 Plaintiff Attorney, National Trial Lawyers, 2020
• In 2011, Melissa was a recipient of one of few Women of WSAJ Bar Prep scholarships, Women of WSAJ Bar Prep scholarship Recipient, Washington State Association for Justice, 2011

Educational Background

• University of Washington School of Law, J.D., 2011, 2011
• Syracuse University, Cum Laude, 2006

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• There is a lot more in achieving a positive outcome in a trial than what you see on television. This presentation will break down the parts of a trial along with the why and how of achieving a good result for a patient. We will also discuss how your work as a healthcare provider may impact case trajectory and provide updates on case law and statutes., Presenter, Anatomy of a Trial, GLP Attorneys Hosted Seminar, Healthcare, 2025
• Navigating the claims process is daunting. The 2024 WA Supreme Court ruling regarding balance billing allowed additional challenges to unfold. New laws and guidelines surrounding medical records, IMEs, and L&I will be examined. This presentation will provide you with resources and discussions to help you successfully manage injury claims to positively impact your bottom line., Presenter, Insurance Tips & Tricks: Strategies for a New Era, GLP Attorneys Hosted Seminar, Healthcare, 2025
• How do you handle a situation where the insurance company may be crossing the line to minimize the impacts to their bottom line? This presentation will define insurance bad faith and provide information and resources to support your patient by identifying a potential bad faith scenario., Presenter, Insurance Bad Faith, GLP Attorneys Hosted Seminar, Healthcare, 2025
• Reaching a full recovery for your patient may happen with or without litigation. We will examine why some cases resolve without litigation, why some need litigation to get the best outcome, and how your work as a healthcare provider may impact case trajectory. We will present case studies to help understand how cases move toward resolution regardless of the process in or out of court and update you on case law and statutes., Presenter, How a Personal Injury Case Ends - Two Paths to Resolution, GLP Attorneys Hosted Seminar, Northgate + Bellevue, Healthcare, 2024

• Aviation
• Construction
• Logging
• Maritime
• Nursing Home
• Trucking