Miscellaneous

• Cruise Ships Liable for Negligence by "Independent Contractors"

  Michael Myers | October 29, 2006 1:41 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Historically, courts have held that a cruise line is not liable for the malpractice of the ship's doctor or nurses. Passenger tickets will often purport that doctors and nurses are independent contractors for which the ship disclaims liability.But a couple of recent Florida cases have changed the tide holding that the cruise line is liable. Judges have explained "where a ship's physician is in...

• Trooper Hits Car on I-5 Ramp

  Michael Myers | October 24, 2006 10:53 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A Seattle man and a Washington State Patrol trooper were injured Monday when the trooper's patrol car rear-ended the man's vehicle on an I-5 on-ramp. Leonard Whitfield's Mazda Miata was hit by the patrol car. Whitfield was listed in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center on Monday afternoon. Whitfield's Miata was crushed when the patrol car pushed it into the back of a pickup...

• Water-Skier's Leg Caught in Propeller

  Michael Myers | October 22, 2006 2:11 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A 12-year-old Pierce County girl was severely injured when her leg was entangled in a boat propeller after she fell while water-skiing in Horsehead Bay, in Carr Inlet. The girl had been skiing behind one boat and was run over by a second boat. Rescuers from the Gig Harbor Fire Department held the girl's head above water for about an hour while divers worked frantically to remove the propeller...

• Boat Driven by Sister Hits Brother

  Michael Myers | October 22, 2006 2:05 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Chandler Balkman is a 16 year old from Issaquah, Washington who would have started his junior year at Issaquah High School; he is also a recent amputee. On August 3, Chandler and his father decided to go swimming in the lake after his lacrosse game. Chandler's sister was driving the family boat on Lake Sammamish, did not see him swimming in the lake and accidentally ran over him. The...

• New Orleans Jury Rules Against Merck

  Michael Myers | October 18, 2006 11:43 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A federal jury found recently that the giant drug manufacturer Merck failed to warn doctors about the medical risks of Vioxx, its once-popular prescription painkiller. The jury ruled that the company must pay a retired F.B.I. agent who suffered a heart attack while taking the drug at least $50 million in damages.Even though drugs and medical devices may receive FDA approval, they are frequently...

• Cruise Ship Claims Should Be Filed Individually

  Michael Myers | October 14, 2006 8:08 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A federal judge has denied class-action status in a $100 million negligence lawsuit filed by passengers aboard a cruise ship that was struck by a 70-foot rogue wave last year. In a 20-page decision filed earlier this month, Altonaga said that not all passengers suffered equally in the incident.Even if a number of persons are injured in the same incident aboard a cruise line--like Holland...

• Only One Year to File Suit Against Holland America

  Michael Myers | October 09, 2006 10:06 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On August 1, 2006 the Western District of Washington held that the one year limitations period contained in Holland America's tickets was fair and reasonably communicated to passengers. This ruling affirms what we have long-suspected. While there may be some room for negotiation when it comes to the six-month limitations period for filing a written claim, the one year limitations period for...

• Multiple Sources of Recovery--Uncovered Loads

  Michael Myers | September 28, 2006 8:08 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A young man and his grandfather are the first people in Washington to face criminal charges under a new law punishing drivers who don't tie down a load in their vehicle, leading to a deadly accident.King County prosecutors say a metal shelving unit flew from the back of Clark's pickup truck -- which Clark had helped load but Campbell was driving -- and caused a four-car crash near Shoreline as...

• Harborview Medical Center--Model for Emergency Care

  Michael Myers | August 31, 2006 11:52 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Most seriously injured people in Seattle and Western Washington are treated at Harborview. Harborview provides outstanding care. In 1970, Seattle became a model for emergency care in the field with the creation of Medic One at Harborview. We're confident the new study will contribute to our continued leadership role in setting the best medical standards worldwide for pre-hospital emergency...

• Cruise Ships Have a Duty to Avoid Storms

  Michael Myers | August 31, 2006 11:34 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said Ernesto could reach hurricane strength by the time it makes landfall on the Florida mainland. The storm was expected to strengthen as it approached the Keys and southeast Florida as early as Tuesday night exactly one year after Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast.In response cruise ship companies said they were diverting several liners to...