Miscellaneous

• 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...

• HSD May Help Save Your Life

  Michael Myers | August 31, 2006 11:22 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  University of Washington physicians based at Harborview Medical Center believe that a new intravenous fluid has the potential to improve accident victims' chances of survival. The fluid is a concentrated salt solution with or without a sugar component called Hypertonic Saline/Dextran (HSD). Hypertonic fluids are expected to help accident victims survive by resulting in more rapid improvement of...

• Seattle Woman Dies SCUBA Diving

  Michael Myers | August 31, 2006 10:12 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A woman who died in a scuba diving accident was identified as Cheryl Marshall, 50, the King County Medical Examiner's Office reported Wednesday. Marshall had breathing problems while diving near Alki Beach late Tuesday. Friends managed to get her to a pier along the shore in the 1600 block of Harbor Avenue, where firefighters found her without a pulse and not breathing. She was pronounced dead...

• Coast Guard Skipper Out After Disaster on Icebreaker

  Michael Myers | August 31, 2006 8:51 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  The Coast Guard relieved the skipper of the Seattle-based icebreaker Healy of command Wednesday as it continues an investigation into the deaths of two divers from the ship. In replacing Capt. Douglas Russell, Vice Adm. Charles Wurster, who commands all Coast Guard operations in the Pacific from San Francisco headquarters, said he had "a loss of confidence in the officer's ability to...

• Injuries on State Ferries--Claims Must Be Brought In State Court

  Michael Myers | August 31, 2006 6:29 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Injuries on State ferries are considered maritime claims. It does not matter whether the ferry was at the dock or underway. The test to determine whether a maritime claim exists is whether the vessel was in navigation in the navigable waters of the United States.Typically maritime claims are brought in federal court. But the 11th Amendment prohibits a state from being sued in Federal Court...

• Dell Laptop Batteries Can Start Fires

  Michael Myers | August 29, 2006 8:49 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Dell said Monday it will recall 4.1 million notebook-computer batteries made by Sony because they can overheat and catch fire. The company negotiated conditions of the recall with the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, which called it the largest electronics-related recall ever involving the agency. "In rare cases, a short-circuit could cause the battery to overheat, causing a risk of...

• Little Girl Dies in Rafting Accident

  Michael Myers | August 27, 2006 8:16 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A memorial fund has been set up in the name of Jasmine Ball of Olympia, who drowned in a rafting accident in the Yakima River. Donations are being taken in her name at South Sound Bank branches in Olympia. Friends and family are trying to raise money to help with funeral costs.Drowning accidents are tragic. While no amount of money can bring back loved ones, brining a claim can make sure that...