Miscellaneous

• Lifeboat Safety Drill Ends in 1 Dead, 1 Injured

  Michael Myers | March 16, 2006 5:36 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On March 5, a Hong Kong-based container ship crew was practicing a routine lifeboat-safety drill when the lifeboat flipped as it was being lowered. Of the four crew members in the lifeboat, one suffered a broken leg and one died as a result of his critical injuries. The other two members were rescued and returned to the ship.Maritime cases are generally brought in federal court and are...

• Sealed Lawsuits Hide Potential Dangers From Public

  Michael Myers | March 16, 2006 5:18 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Civil lawsuits often bring public attention to potential hazards. However, many of these lawsuits are sealed from the public. Since 1990, at least 420 civil lawsuits have been entirely sealed, which means the name of the defendant, the claim and the resolution of the case are not available to the public. Over 1,000 have been sealed in part. For example, four years ago a lawsuit was filed...

• Man Electrocuted While Working for Energy Company

  Michael Myers | March 14, 2006 8:00 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On March 1, a 24-year-old man was replacing power lines in an underground vault when he touched live wires and was electrocuted. A co-worker used a blanket to lift the 24-year-old from the vault, but medics were unable to revive him. The co-worker suffered burns to his hand. Both men worked for Potelco, a subcontractor for Puget Sound Energy.The family of the victim, as well as the victim's...

• Two Men on Fishing Boat Missing; Presumed Dead

  Michael Myers | March 01, 2006 4:17 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On February 23, the Northern Dawn, a fishing vessel off the coast of Unalaska Island, triggered its beacon. The two men on board were collecting empty pots from the Baridi Tanner Crab fishery. The coast guard only found a life ring and a small oily sheen. On February 26, they called off the search. Maritime claims are typically brought in federal court. The families of the missing fishermen...

• One Killed; Four Injured in Crash Involving Alcohol

  Michael Myers | March 01, 2006 4:04 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On February 22, a pickup truck driving northbound on Highway 7 in Spanaway struck a northbound SUV before veering into oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with a van driving southbound. The driver of the pickup and his wife suffered minor injuries. The driver of the van died at the scene. Authorities believe alcohol and speed were a factor in the crash and plan to charge the driver with...

• New Auburn Dog Law Automatically Labels Some Dogs Potentially Dangerous

  Michael Myers | March 01, 2006 3:51 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On February 21, the Auburn City Council voted to pass a city ordinance regarding "potentially dangerous" dog breeds to curtail dog attacks. Pit bulls and akitas are examples of some of the breeds covered by this ordinance. Under the ordinance, the owner of a "potentially dangerous" dog must register the dog and after one attack, would be subject to several requirements including insurance for...

• Agreement Reached Regarding New Medical Malpractice Law

  Michael Myers | February 28, 2006 7:38 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On February 20, Gov. Gregoire announced an agreement regarding medical malpractice lawsuits. First, the proposed law will enable doctors to apologize for a medical mistake without the apology being used against them in a lawsuit. Second, the proposed law would impose mandatory mediation before the lawsuit proceeded, and both sides could select binding arbitration. Third, the law would allow...

• Car Pins Ferry Rider at Ferry Ticket Booth

  Michael Myers | February 17, 2006 11:14 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On February 7, a ferry rider opened her car door to pick up a piece of paper, when her foot slipped off the break. The car started to roll and the door hit the ticket booth, closing on the rider's chest. As it continued to roll, the car door squeezed tighter. Eventually, the ferry rider passed out. Ferry workers came to the rescue and moved the car away from the ticket booth. The ferry...

• Railroad Worker Dies on the Job

  Michael Myers | February 17, 2006 10:49 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On February 7, a Burlington Northern railroad worker died in Tacoma as he helped put a derailed train back on the tracks. The spokesman for the railroad company did not provide any details about the worker or how he died, but indicated railroad company officials would investigate the accident.Based on the limited information provided by Burlington Northern, it is very important that the...

• Sailboat overturns, man without life jacket dies

  Michael Myers | February 17, 2006 10:13 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On January 28, a sailboat capsized near Vashon Island. Two of the four aboard the boat were thrown into the water. One boater was rescued by the two remaining on board. The coastguard found the fourth boater unconscious, who was reportedly not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. The fourth boater was pronounced dead at Harborview Medical Center.Lifejackets are critical to...