Property Owner's Liability (Slip & Fall)

• Health Club and Other Disclaimers

  Michael Myers | January 03, 2007 8:37 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  We see disclaimers almost every day. And just about as frequently we're asked whether they're effective. Like with most legal questions, the answer is "it depends". The general rule is pretty easy to articulate. In Washington exculpatory clauses are enforceable unless (1) they violate public policy; (2) the negligent act falls greatly below the standard established by law for protection of...

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  Michael Myers | December 19, 2006 12:36 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  At least 100 people, including one man who died, suffered carbon monoxide poisoning after they dragged generators and charcoal grills inside to stay warm following widespread power outages in Western Washington. A 26-year-old Kirkland man was found dead in his home yesterday with a generator running in the living room. Other victims as young as 11 months were treated at Seattle-area hospitals...

• Man Gets Arm Caught in Meat Grinder

  Michael Myers | December 17, 2006 8:35 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  A 24-year-old man was seriously injured Thursday when his arm was caught in a meat grinder at a Bellevue meat market. The man was working at Golden Steer Choice Meats when his left hand got caught in the grinder. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The Food and Drug Administration and Labor and Industries. While Washington law prevents the man from suing his employer,...

• Archdiocese in Portland Settles Suit

  Michael Myers | December 13, 2006 5:56 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Just about all of the victims of sexual abuse by priests in Western Oregon have entered into a settlement with the Roman Catholic church. The victims will receive about $50,000,000 from the Church's insurance companies and an undisclosed amount from the Church itself. Based on earlier payouts the total received by victims will be approximately $1,000,000 each. These victims have shown just...

• Toy Firm Settles in Death of Redmond Toddler

  Michael Myers | October 29, 2006 10:48 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  The company that manufactured a magnetic toy blamed in the death of a 22-month-old Redmond boy settled lawsuits Wednesday with his parents and 13 other families for $13.5 million.A personal injury or products liability claim should be considered any time a child is injured or dies. Of course some accidents just happen. But for those incidents that could have been avoided, compensation should...

• Toy Firm Settles in Death of Redmond Toddler(2)

  Michael Myers | October 29, 2006 10:48 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  The company that manufactured a magnetic toy blamed in the death of a 22-month-old Redmond boy settled lawsuits Wednesday with his parents and 13 other families for $13.5 million.A personal injury or products liability claim should be considered any time a child is injured or dies. Of course some accidents just happen. But for those incidents that could have been avoided, compensation should...

• Families Sue State for Fatal Shooting at Jewish Day Care

  Michael Myers | October 22, 2006 5:27 AM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Whenever Alan Stepakoff sees the large scar on the back of his son's right leg, he's reminded of the horror seven years ago that forever shattered his family's sense of security. Joshua, then 6, was one of five people shot when a gunman stormed into a day care at a Jewish community center in Granada Hills, California. Joshua was shot twice. The families of the injured children feel that the...

• Slain Coach's Wife Files Wrongful Death Suit

  Michael Myers | October 18, 2006 4:51 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  There is almost always someone to sue when a person dies from something other than natural causes. The wife of a popular tennis coach shot to death by a Seattle teen with apparent mental problems has filed a wrongful death suit against the suspect's parents. The parents of Samson Berhe "did nothing" when their 17-year-old son was on the streets with a shotgun and ammunition on June 25, 2005,...

• Woman Beaten by Husband Wins Civil Suit

  Michael Myers | October 18, 2006 12:08 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  Before her divorce was final, Deborah Martin sued her husband, Ernest John Lofgren, for beating her and causing her to suffer a broken cheekbone, broken nose and dislocated jaw, as well as severe dental injuries. Fairfax County jurors decided Lofgren needed to do more than just a short jail stint. They ordered him to pay Martin $550,000, in part for the extensive bills to repair her face --...

• County offers $17,500 after fatal pit bull attack

  Michael Myers | October 13, 2006 7:12 PM | 0 CommentsSeattle, WA

  One of the most horrific incidents in Yakima's recent history has come to a close. Yakima County commissioners agreed Tuesday to settle a lawsuit that grew out of the 1995 mauling death of a wheelchair-bound man by two pit bull dogs. The county agreed to pay $10,000 to the estate of Walter Feser, then 75, who died from injuries he suffered after the two dogs entered his backyard in the 800 block...