Miscellaneous

• Strict Liability for Dog Bites in Washington--Law and Perversion

  Michael Myers | September 17, 2008 11:03 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  The Revised Code of Washington has an entire chapter devoted to dog bites.  Lawmakers drafted a statute imposing strict liability on the owner of a dog that bites and injures someone.  The statute...

• Let's Go Sailing Passengers Injured--Rights and Remedies on the Water

  Michael Myers | September 16, 2008 11:54 AM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  Yesterday KIRO TV reported a collision between a Bayliner Trophy and a 42-foot sailboat near Alki Point.  Three people suffered injuries.  "They told me this guy came out of nowhere and smashed into...

• Rogue Waves--Vessel Owners Contort a Dubious Defense

  Michael Myers | September 16, 2008 12:36 AM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  One of the most frequently asserted defenses in cruise ship litigation, not only by Holland America, but also by regional cruise lines, sightseeing vessels ...

• Statute of Limitations May Run Soon for Windstorm Property Damage Claims

  Ryan Nute | November 01, 2007 9:57 AM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  Many of you experienced damage to your houses during the wind storms last year. The majority of the losses occurred on December 14 or 15, 2006. Generally homeowners' insurance policies in Washington have a one year statute of limitations: that is, any claims against the homeowner's carrier must be brought within one year of the incident. Failure to bring a claim in time means it might be...

• Putting Profits Ahead of Safety--Cruise Company Fails to Provide Reasonable Medical Assistance for Passenger

  Michael Myers | October 18, 2007 3:17 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  A recent cruise ship case involves a man who had a severe asthma attack at a wedding. There was oxygen aboard but the crew would not allow passengers with medical training to assist.By the time the vessel got back to the dock, the passenger was in a very bad way and later died. A magistrate denied limitation of liability because the captain could have diverted to a closer dock. The court noted...

• Cascade Plane Crash Kills 10--Highlights Need for Vicitims' Families to Retain Separate Counsel

  Michael Myers | October 11, 2007 12:07 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  All 10 bodies of the passengers aboard the plane that crashed Sunday night in the Cascades have been found. The place was traveling from Star, Idaho to Shelton, Washington and crashed en route, about 25 miles southeast of Mount Rainer. Rescue teams were able to locate the crash site through the reports of a hunter who had seen the plane fly low over him and then heard the crash, and by following...

• Hit and Run Collision Injures Teenage Bicyclist in Skyway

  Chelsea Gilbert | September 11, 2007 8:27 AM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  A 17-year old bicyclist was struck by a car late last Wednesday in Skyway, Washington. The car involved in the collision, described as yellow and possibly a Chevrolet El Camino, struck the bicyclist from behind and drove away without stopping. The man driving the vehicle was in his late teens or early twenties. The bicyclist was taken to Harborview Medical Center for non-life threatening...

• Helicopter Crash Causes Forest Fire

  Jenny Albano | August 03, 2007 7:08 AM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  A helicopter with four passengers crashed Thursday, August 2, which ignited a forest fire that prevented rescue workers from trying to find possible survivors.Authorities believe that all four passengers have died, but are unable to confirm this because the fire is preventing them from approaching the helicopter and investigating the crash and its cause.Clayton Myers, the Kittitas County...

• Boating Accident Causes Wrongful Death

  Mark McLean | July 18, 2007 11:33 AM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  A boating accident in Puget Sound north of Bremerton killed a woman and seriously injured her husband last weekend. The man was flown to Harborview Medical Center.Accidents which occur on "navigable waters" are subject to a somewhat unique set of laws called "admiralty and maritime" law. These cases apply federal law and often are brought in federal courts. An experienced attorney can guide...

• Loose Truck Wheels Cause String of Accidents

  Mark McLean | July 11, 2007 4:53 PM | 0 CommentsTacoma, WA

  A string of automobile accidents caused by loose truck wheels have caused a number of personal injuries and even wrongful deaths. Now, the unusually high number of accidents has led to investigations by both the American and Canadian governments. Officials with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance -- the association of state and federal officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States...