Miscellaneous

• First Crabbing Season With New Rules

  Michael Myers | June 12, 2006 6:40 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  The Seattle Times recently ran an article about the first crab season completed under a new harvest system intended to create a more profitable, less wasteful and safer crab fleet. According to the Times, the results are mixed. Perils still remain in harvesting crab in some of the world's most treacherous waters. And some crews were upset by a lower pay scale.Between 1980 and the winter of...

• Ferry Crash Raises Questions about Safety

  Michael Myers | March 30, 2006 6:44 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On March 22, a B.C. ferry struck a rock and sank just north of Vancouver Island. Although initial reports claimed all passengers were safe, authorities later reported 2 individuals missing and presumed dead. This raises several questions about the safety of ferries. Although Washington state ferries are reportedly newer and safer, the lack of recordkeeping may lead to a similar assumption...

• Missing Snowboarder Found Dead in Canada

  Michael Myers | January 25, 2006 9:07 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Rescue teams recently discovered the body of Danny Epp, a snowboarder who had been missing for two days. Searchers located Mr. Epp in an area called Tony Baker Gully next to Cypress Mountain. The mountain is located in British Columbia approximately 30 minutes outside of Vancouver.Accidents that occur outside of the United States present interesting, and sometimes difficult, conflict of laws...

• Mount Baker Skiing Accident Ends In Tragedy

  Michael Myers | December 02, 2005 1:40 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  On Sunday, November 27, 2005 Terry McQuair died in a skiing accident at the Mount Baker Ski Area. Mr. McQuair, a 21 year old British Columbia resident, skied under two ropes marked with warning signs and then off of a 100 foot cliff. The fall caused head injuries and Mr. McQuair was pronounced dead on the scene. For more information about this accident see the following links: Skiing Accident...

• Civil Rules

  Michael Myers | January 30, 2009 4:45 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Cases filed in superior court are governed by the Civil Rules. There are 86 civil rules. Although some are more relevant to personal injury actions than others, all or almost all of them eventually...

• Contingent Fee Attorneys Worth Over $1,000 Per Hour in Some Markets

  Michael Myers | December 09, 2008 9:57 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  The National Law Journal recently came out with information about the billing rates charged by attorneys. Firms accross the country averaged $350 an hour. But the most expensive firms charged...

• Holland America's One Year "Statute of Limitations" Upheld

  Michael Myers | November 09, 2008 12:58 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  I've made frequent reference in this blog to Holland America's requirement that injured passengers must (1) make written claims within six months and (2) file suit within one year of their injuries....

• Driver Charged in Death of Bicyclist in South Kitsap

  Ryan Nute | January 31, 2008 11:48 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Delores Magneson, 59, has been charged with the death of bicyclist Craig Hatt, 41. Magnesson allegedly hit Hatt last September on Mile Hill Drive in South Kitsap. Magneson claimed that her windshield had fogged up, as a result of just behind washed and glare from the sun, obscuring her vision. However, upon investigation it was discovered that Magneson's driver's license had been canceled...

• Model Ship Builders Reportedly Fleeced in Internet Commerce Scam

  Ryan Nute | December 26, 2007 9:18 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Dennis Ray Lunde, 60, of Poulsbo, Washington, has been charged with first-degree theft in an alleged Internet commerce scam.  The scam involved Lunde posing online as a Navy captain and selling model ship kits. Buyers of these kits would send money to Lunde but never received the kits.  Several buyers received an e-mail from Lunde's "wife," claiming that Lunde had suffered a heart attack, was...

• Asking for Cruise Vouchers May Undermine Your Case

  Michael Myers | October 12, 2007 12:40 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Stop. Don't do it. I know it may be tempting, but if you have been injured while aboard a cruise don't write to the cruise line asking for free cruise vouchers. And don't accept vouchers for discounted or free cruises, drinks, photographs or souvenirs that cruise ships will sometimes offer you up-front as compensation for your injuries. Accepting these vouchers may waive your right to file...