Miscellaneous

• Cruise Ship Grounded in Alaska

  Mark McLean | July 09, 2007 12:32 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  The Cruise Ship "The Empress of the North" ran aground in Icy Strait near Juneau, Alaska recently. The ship was operated by Majestic America Line out of Seattle. People who sign up for cruise ships usually (and often unwittingly) also sign a contract which includes a "forum selection clause" requiring them to file any claim in a specified place. Seattle is a booming hub of the cruise line...

• 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...

• Preparing for Depositions

  Michael Myers | June 05, 2006 10:50 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Depositions are important events in a personal injury case. A deposition has been explained (somewhat formally) as follows: A deposition is the sworn testimony of a witness taken before trial held out of court with no judge present. The witness is placed under oath to tell the truth and lawyers for each party may ask questions. The questions and answers are recorded. The most important...

• Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney

  Michael Myers | June 02, 2006 6:30 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  This year we decided to remodel our house. It was a big undertaking and significant financial investment so we wanted to make sure we "got it right". We scoured the Internet and asked everyone we know for references. Finally we identified the two best residential contractors in Seattle. We gave them our plans and specifications and asked them to bid the job. Both were somewhat reluctant to...

• Men Lose Hands in Accidental Blast

  Michael Myers | May 29, 2006 7:27 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  According to KOMO Television, three men are in the hospital with serious injuries after a fireworks accident Thursday. The victims were part of a group ofconstruction at the KOA campground off Highway 12 in Lewis County. One of the men came over to the campfire and showed off a powerful firework that was about 5 inches long and an inch thick. Another man tossed it into the fire, but it failed...

• Occupational Exposure

  Michael Myers | May 27, 2006 3:39 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Seamen are not limited to workers compensation (Labor and Industries) remedies like their on-shore counterparts. They may bring claims against their employers based on occupational injuries and illnesses caused by their work. But they need to act as soon as possible after they realize they have suffered injuries or disease as a result of their working conditions. Repetitive motion injuries often...

• 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...

• 13 Year Old Cannot Be At Fault For Sex With Teacher

  Michael Myers | December 13, 2005 1:44 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  The Washington State Supreme Court recently held that a 13 year old student could not be found contributorily at fault for having sex with her teacher. The case stems from a 2001 incident in which the student, an eighth grader at the time, became involved in a sexual relationship with a 26-year-old teacher named Steven Diaz. Diaz was subsequently arrested and pled guilty.The victim's family...