Miscellaneous

• 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...

• Pilot Dies in Airplane Crash

  Michael Myers | February 08, 2006 2:31 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A pilot who regularly starred in the Tacoma Freedom Fair and Air Show died in airplane crash on January 7. The pilot was on a routine flight for a Seattle-based airline from Bellingham to Skagit County. The wreckage was discovered near the Skagit Regional Airport, but a cause for the crash was not yet determined. There were no passengers on board.If the crash was caused by a defect, the...

• State Pays $6.5 Million Settlement

  Michael Myers | January 05, 2006 1:13 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  In December, the State of Washington agreed to pay $6.5 million to the family of Paula Joyce to settle a lawsuit that asserted the state was at-fault in causing Mrs. Joyce's death. Mrs. Joyce was killed in 1997 when a felon hit her while he was high on drugs and driving a stolen car. The felon, Vernon Valdez, was supposed to be under state supervision following convictions for assault and...

• Mormon Church Found Liable in Sex Abuse Case

  Michael Myers | December 27, 2005 12:03 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A King County Superior Court jury recently awarded $4.2 million to two sisters who were abused for years by a priest in the Mormon Church. The jury found the Church liable for intentional misconduct and negligence based on its failure to prevent or stop the abuse despite the sisters' repeated complaints to the church hierarchy. This verdict powerfully illustrates the damage of sexual abuse,...

• Wear Your Helmet!

  Michael Myers | December 27, 2005 11:59 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Head injuries constitute only 5-15% of all injuries from ski and snowboard accidents, yet are the primary cause of serious disabling injuries and death. There are approximately 10 fatalities per year in Colorado from accidents on the ski slopes, and among the fatally injured that we have studied head injury was the cause of death in 87.5%; none were wearing helmets. Wearing a helmet should be a...

• Train Accident Kills Two

  Michael Myers | November 22, 2005 11:16 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On Sunday, November 20, 2005 A Union Pacific freight train traveling from Portland to Seattle struck and killed two young men who were walking near the tracks. The accident occurred between Tacoma and Steilacoom on the BNSF Railroad's double main line. Railroad authorities and police continue to investigate. The names of the deceased victims have not been released.Railroads generally owe a...

• Man Files $3M Maritime Accident Lawsuit

  Staff Writer | November 07, 2005 8:31 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A Waterville, ME man has filed a $3 Million maritime accident lawsuit after being left a parapalegic when he fell while repairing a tugboat.Bruce Falconer's spinal cord was injured while working on a tugboat owned by the New York Company, Penn Maritime, Inc. According to Boston.com:Falconer was carrying an engine part when he fell 14 feet through an open hatch and struck a railing.The boat was...

• If There Isn't Enough Insurance Consider a Product Defect Claim

  Michael Myers | October 08, 2007 8:25 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  In previous posts we've written about the challenges with our private insurance system and inadequate coverage. Drivers in Washington only have to carry $25,000 in liability coverage. That just isn't enough (and why you should carry as much UIM insurance as you can afford). As a result, there are lots of accidents where there isn't enough insurance to compensate the injured person. When that...

• General Contractors Must Formulate and Enforce Fall Protection Plans

  Michael Myers | September 02, 2007 8:44 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A recent Seattle Times article highlights an important issue in the construction trades--especially with so much building taking place in Seattle and around Puget Sound. The Times reported the following: A 73-year-old man was rushed to Bremerton's Harrison Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after he fell down a 30-foot shaft at a construction site this afternoon.Central Kitsap Fire...