High Profile Cases
Monster Truck Case
SKWC represented the family of the young boy, who was killed at a Monster Truck show at the Tacoma Dome. Sebastian’s family all witnessed Sebastian’s horrific death. In August 2009, SKWC helped Sebastian’s family and his Estate reach a confidential settlement with the owner/manufacturer of the Monster Truck and the promoter who put on the event.
Learn more about the Monster Truck Case
Kime v. City of Seattle
Wrongful death settlement
One of the worst decisions the City of Seattle ever made was to allow Pioneer Square to erupt into riots during Mardi Gras 2001. Kristopher Kime was bending over to help a young woman who had been beaten and knocked to the ground, when he was violently attacked. His friends ran to the perimeter of the riot zone and begged police to help. They were told that the officers had been instructed not to render assistance. Kris was lifted off the street and carried to the police by friends and off-duty firefighters. But it was too late. He died of massive brain injuries.
Mediation resulted in a significant sum of money paid to Kris's parents, but also: creation of a scholarship for the outstanding compassionate young person of the year; erection of a memorial plaque at the pergola in Pioneer Square; a meeting with the police chief; and invitation to attend public safety meetings. Kris's divorced parents worked closely and in complete agreement to make sure that justice was done. They donated his organs to save the lives of others and they remain involved in many community service efforts.
Articles about the tragedy and the Kime case
Mardi Gras riot victim's gift of life still giving after 10 years
Family celebrates Kris Kime's life 10 years after his death
Frustrated police honor man slain on Fat Tuesday
Karen Koehler Remembers Kristopher Kime on the 10th Anniversary of His Death
City to pay $1.75 million to Mardi Gras victim's family
Forestier v. City of Vancouver
Government Liability
$6,050,000 settlement for a French foreign exchange student who was a pedestrian hit by a vehicle while crossing Fort Vancouver Way on her way to school. The City failed to provide proper lighting for the crossing.
Ethel Adams v. Farmers Insurance Co.
Insurance Bad Faith
Michael Testa rammed his girlfriend’s truck as he chased her down Aurora Avenue. The truck crossed the centerline where it flipped upside down ontop of and head on into Ethel Adams almost killing her. Ethel’s insurance company, Farmers decided not to pay the claim because road rage was not an “accident”.
The public became outraged as media covered the lawsuit. The Insurance Commissioner threatened to shut Farmers down in Washington at which point it changed its mind and paid on the policy. Ethel then sued Farmers for bad faith. One year after Ethel was hurt, the Governor signed the Ethel Adams bill into law – when an innocent person is injured in a car accident, the insurance company can no longer play the same word games.
