Police Misconduct: The Constitutional Right to Be Free from Excessive Force
Over the past decade, the American public has become increasingly aware of police misconduct and the use of excessive force against civilians. Here in Seattle, many high-profile incidents and independent investigations have underscored the urgent need to understand—and protect—your Constitutional rights.
What Is “Excessive Force” Under the...
When the Federal Government Raids the Wrong House: What Martin v. United States Teaches Us About Government Accountability
It’s early morning. You’re at home with your family, having dinner, maybe still in bed, when suddenly your front door is blown open. Flash-bang grenades go off. Boom! Agents in tactical gear rush in, shouting. “Get down! get down!” ...
Air India Flight 171 Crash: Legal and Safety Questions Follow Fatal Dreamliner Disaster
Tata Group’s Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was filled with 242 people when that London-bound aircraft, fully loaded with fuel, crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel right after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport...
How a Lawyer Can Help You Prove Your Spinal Cord Injury Case
When you’re facing a spinal cord injury, proving your case means showing how the defendant caused the harm and demonstrating the full impact on your life. Attorneys do this by gathering evidence, consulting medical and technical professionals, and preparing your case for trial from the very beginning. The goal is to build...
Ninth Circuit Ruling in Estate of Soakai v. Abdelaziz Strengthens “Shock the Conscience” and State-Created Danger Claims in Police Chase Cases
In the case of Estate of Soakai v. Abdelaziz, --- F.4th ----, 2025 WL 1417105 (May 16, 2025), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals addressed a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action involving two police officers, Walid Abdelaziz and Jimmy Marin-Coronel, who...
Police Brutality in Seattle: What Are Your Legal Rights?
If you or someone you love has suffered harm at the hands of the Seattle police, you are not alone. Area cops have a long history of abusing their badge.
At one point, things got so bad the federal government stepped in to try and get the...
Why Class Actions Matter: Empowering the Public to Hold Corporations Accountable
What do hidden telecom fees, denied insurance claims, and unpaid wages have in common? They’re often signs of corporate practices that harm people in ways too small to fight alone—but too big to ignore. At Stritmatter Law, we’ve built a legacy of standing up for individuals against powerful institutions—and nowhere is that...
Claims Against Amazon for Personal Injuries
Online shopping makes it easy to buy almost anything, but it also increases the risk of injury from defective products sold on Amazon. This post explains your legal options if you’re hurt by an Amazon-purchased...
A Concerning Start to 2025: Aircraft Accidents Capture the Public’s Attention
The Seattle area has been a cradle of aviation innovation for over a century, so it is not surprising that those of us who call this area home are particularly attuned to news about the industry. Unfortunately, most of the recent news seems to be bad news.
2025 is...
SCOTUS Ruling in Barnes v. Felix: Removing “Chronological Blinders”
Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) delivered an important decision in the case of Barnes v. Felix Barnes v. Felix, No. 23-1239, slip op. at 5-6, 2025 WL 1401083, (U.S. May 15, 2025). It took the opportunity to...