Washington Supreme Court Declares Amazon Responsible for Negligence
By Daniel Laurence and Andrew Ackley
It may seem obvious that the largest retailer in the world should be responsible for dangerous products sold online, but that is what Amazon has argued for years—because most state product liability law does not address...
Can I Pursue a Product Liability Case If the Product Hasn’t Been Recalled?
You can pursue a product liability claim even if a product was never recalled, as long as you can show it was defective and that the defect caused your injury. While a recall can support a claim, Washington law does not require one. Many unsafe products injure consumers before manufacturers or regulators...
Trial Set to Start Against Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, Alleging Addictive Technology
Outside of being a lawyer, I'm a parent. And one thing that has deeply troubled me is the observed impact of social media and technology on this generation of children. The evidence has become clearer as time has passed: social media is not good for kids' development.
How Amazon Can Be Held Legally Responsible For Its Negligent Delivery Drivers
Quiz Scenario: You are driving properly down a neighborhood street. Suddenly, an Amazon delivery van runs a stop sign and crashes into you. You suffer a severe brain injury and internal injuries. You undergo several surgeries and spend three weeks in the...
Calling Out Institutional Racism Isn’t Disqualifying Bias for a Judge Under the Code for Judicial Conduct
On January 2, 2026, the Court of Appeals Division III took the intriguing step of elevating a letter ruling, on which parties outside that litigation generally cannot rely, to the status of an unpublished opinion. An unpublished opinion, while not binding on any court, can be cited by anyone for persuasive...
UPEPA Meets #MeToo: The Washington Court of Appeals’ Blunt Message to Lawsuits Aimed at Silencing Survivors
(Content Warning: discussion of sexual assault and grooming behavior)
On December 30, 2025, the Washington Court of Appeals dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a pastor against his employee and parishioner after she referred to a sexual encounter between them as “rape.” While the outcome is notable, what I...
Year‑End Legal Realities: Understanding Washington’s Wrongful‑Death Statute of Limitations
Family members of individuals who have died due to negligence may have the right to pursue a wrongful death action against the at-fault party. However, they only have a certain amount of time to do so due to a deadline known as the statute of limitations.
If you lost...
Consumer Fraud in Washington—Your Right to Protect the Public
Consumer fraud can happen to anyone—whether through misleading advertising, hidden fees, or other deceptive business practices. Deceptive businesses often collect small amounts of money from numerous consumers because they assume consumers will not bother to enforce their rights over small amounts.
To encourage consumers to protect the public, Washington...
From KarenKoehler.com: Seattle Employs Age Old Propaganda Tactic Against Gas Works Park Victims
Karen Koehler recently wrote about the City of Seattle’s initial response to the Gas Works Park nuisance lawsuit following the death of fifteen-year-old Matthies Johnson and injuries to fourteen other young people.
This blog was originally published on Karen Koehler’s personal website.
Read the full post here:...
When Systemic Failures Lead to Wrongful Death: Holding Institutions Accountable
When a tragic death happens because of repeated negligence, it is not simply the result of a single mistake. Too often, it reflects systemic failures—patterns of carelessness, ignored warnings, or unsafe practices that go uncorrected until lives are lost. Families in Washington deserve to know that institutions can and should be held...