Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer - Assault Injuries

Lawsuit Over Taser Use on Epileptic Settles for $90,000

Jenny Albano — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:55:37 GMT

A lawsuit for tasing and punching a man who had just had an epileptic seizure has been settled for $90,000. In addition, the settlement mentioned a new policy on Taser use in Lakewood in the $300,000 lawsuit brought against the municipality, the police department, Chief Larry Saunders and four other officers.

According to Lt. David B. Guttu, the Taser policy changes listed in the settlement were not a direct result of the case. Under the new policy officers have to consider whether someone might have a medical condition, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or epilepsy, before using a taser on the person.

The case arose after Grider, 63, had a seizure and passed out at the auto parts store where he worked as a clerk. A co-worker called 911, an emergency medical crew was dispatched and the medics requested police aid, saying Grider had regained consciousness and was aggressive and threatening, according to a report by Officer Reynaldo Z. Punzalan.

The police report stated that Grider wouldn't let the medics check him and resisted when the police officers tried to calm him and tell him he needed medical attention. He also continued to resist when he was stunned with a few 50,000 volt bursts. After this, Punzalan punched Grider in the face, handcuffed him, and had medics take him to the hospital. No criminal charges were filed against either party.

Grider claims that he told medics he didn't need to go to the hospital and had made plans to get a ride home. He stated that he had seizures occasionally that he quickly recovered from without problems and did not need medical care.

But according to a police report, "Fire Department personnel told us they have dealt with Grider before, and he got very violent that time as well ... they also told us he had to get medical help."

Hostile behavior is not unusual when someone is recovering from a seizure, according to an Epilepsy Foundation report entitled Inappropriate Response to Seizures. "Accordingly, restraint of persons soon after a seizure may exacerbate or precipitate combativeness the opposite of the intended result," according to the report.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Breach of Trust and Confidence

Michael Myers — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:05:59 GMT

A female patient of Dr. Chris Woodja, a dentist who practiced in the Shoreline area, was found heavily drugged and half-naked in his office on October 17th.

The patient had come in for treatment of an abscessed tooth. Reportedly, Woodja had contacted the patient's roommates prior to the appointment and requested that the patient bring "the additional four tablets of Triazolam" he had prescribed to the office. Triazolam is a sedative.

When the patient's roommates arrived at the office to take her home they observed her wandering around in only a tank top and clearly drugged.

She was so over-medicated that she doesn't remember anything of the incident. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.

In 1999 Dr. Chris Wodja was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery of a 16-year old girl.

This case bears a striking resemblance to the cases we're handling for former patients/clients of Drs. Greenberg and Kamson. It's difficult to imagine a situation more egregious than when a physician or other doctor takes advantage of the trust and confidence put in him and misuses that trust and confidence to gratify his prurient sexual desires or financial avarice.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Medical Malpractice and Negligent Care.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Gig Harbor Woman Mauled in Pit Bull Attack

Mark McLean — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:39:27 GMT

Sue Ann Gorman of Gig Harbor was mauled by two pit bulls in her home Tuesday morning. The pit bulls entered the house through an unsecured pet door in Ms. Gorman's home. Ms. Gorman was sleeping beside her neighbor's Jack Russell Terrier, Romeo. Romeo was killed and Ms. Gorman was severely injured in the attack.

She said she tried to protect Romeo and, in doing so, suffered wounds that will require multiple surgeries.

The pit bulls were owned by another of Ms. Gorman's neighbors. Apparently, this was not the first of the pit bulls' attacks.

Under Washington law, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by pets. Also, the Washington legislature intelligently abolished the antiquated law that "every dog gets one free bite." Liability for a dog attack is often covered under the owner's homeowner's insurance policy--which would help victims of such attacks recover on a potential judgment or settlement.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mark McLean

Mercer Island Priest Accused of Inappropriate Conduct

Mark McLean — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:21:45 GMT

Father Dennis Kemp, Pastor at St. Monica's Church on Mercer Island, has been suspended during the pendency of an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct with a minor. Details surrounding the allegations have not been released and the King County Prosecutors' Office has declined to press charges.

It appears that Father Kemp will not face criminal charges for the alleged conduct. However, he still could be liable in a civil lawsuit if the victim can prove that the inappropriate activity occurred. In criminal cases, the state must prove its case "beyond a reasonable doubt." However, in most civil cases, the plaintiff only needs to show the truth of the allegations by a "preponderance of the evidence"--which means more likely than not. Just because someone isn't prosecuted criminally doesn't mean they aren't still liable in the civil context.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mark McLean

Australian Official Recommends Criminal Charges in Cruise Ship Rape and Death

Mark McLean — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 10:11:22 GMT

The 2002 rape and eventual killing of a cruise ship patron has led Australian officials to recommend criminal charges. Dianne Brimble died after a fellow cruise patron slipped her "Fantasy", a date rape drug.

P & O Cruises, associated with Carnival Cruise Line, apologized to the woman's family.

Our responsibility is to create an environment onboard our ships where we do all we can to make sure people are safe, that behaviour is appropriate and our passengers enjoy their holiday. Our next concern is how we respond if people don't behave appropriately, regardless of what we do to try to prevent such behaviour.

As P & O admits, cruise lines have a "responsibility" for the safety of their passengers. Failing to adequately protect passengers, even from one another, fails to meet this responsibility. P & O's apology to the woman's family shows that greater steps need to be taken by cruise lines to ensure passenger safety and that cruises should be held liable for failing to take those necessary steps.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Airlines, Cruises, Buses, and Other Mass Transit Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mark McLean

License Suspended for Psychologist Accused of Voyeurism

Mark McLean — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:13:26 GMT

The Washington State Department of Health suspended Seattle Psychologist Stuart Greenberg's license to practice after allegations that he videotaped his patients and employees using the bathroom recently.

State regulators suspended the license of veteran Seattle psychologist Stuart Greenberg on Thursday over accusations that he videotaped women using his office bathroom.

Greenberg faces criminal charges. But he could also be subject to civil liability to the victims of his voyeurism. A number of legal theories allow victims of this type of behavior redress.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mark McLean

Families Sue State for Fatal Shooting at Jewish Day Care

Michael Myers — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 05:27:07 GMT

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 tragedy could have been prevented if Buford Furrow Jr., a white supremacist and ex-convict on probation, was more closely monitored by the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Each of the victims and their families may have a claim against the State. Before a civil suit can be initiated against a state agency, the claimant(s) must first file a tort claim against the State for its negligence within the allotted period of time for the statute of limitations.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Woman Beaten by Husband Wins Civil Suit

Michael Myers — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:08:35 GMT

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 -- and mind -- and to make a statement that domestic violence is intolerable, jurors said.

There is a popular misconception that family members may not sue one another. Family members can sue one another for not only intentional injuries, like those described here, but also in sitautions where family members are negligent. Car accidents are usually the most frequent basis for one family member suing another.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

Shootings at Jewish Charity in Seattle

Michael Myers — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 18:54:08 GMT

Last Friday six people were shot at a Jewish Charity in Seattle. Acts of violence like this implicate both criminal and civil laws.

The person who filed the shots will be charged with murder. The victims and their families also have personal injury claims agianst him. More likely than not, he will not have assets sufficient to satisfy any judgments entered against him.

But the victims and their families may have additional claims. Anytime there is an act of violence their may be claims against (a) the person who assisted the criminal (drove him to the scene, furnished him the weapon, etc.) and (b) against the persons who were supposed to ensure the safety of the occupants of the building (e.g., the security company).

For answers to your questions, ask a personal injury attorney.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers

7 People Shot and Killed, 2 Others Injured in Seattle Shooting

Michael Myers — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 14:13:33 GMT

At approximately 7 a.m. on March 25, a young man left a house party, obtained a sawed off shotgun from his car, returned to the house and shot and killed 6 people. As he was chasing a shooting victim outside, police confronted the shooter. He then turned the gun on himself and killed himself. Two others were wounded in the shooting.

The families of the victims, and those injured, should contact a personal injury lawyer right away. Homeowners' and renters' insurance is incredibly broad and there may be coverage for the losses sustained in this tragedy. For more information, please see: Seattle Shooting Kills 7, Injures 2.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Myers