When Service Animals Are Injured: Additional Liability Under Washington’s Law Against Discrimination

Most lawyers and claims professionals recognize that injuries to animals—especially injuries to dogs—are typically analyzed under ordinary negligence or strict liability principles.  Liability for dog bites in Washington is governed by RCW 16.08 et. seq. and Washington laws impose “strict liability” on the owners of dogs that bite humans or...

When Service Animals Are Injured: Additional Liability Under Washington’s Law Against Discrimination Continue reading…

Understanding Your Rights Under Washington’s Vulnerable Adults Act

Nursing home neglect and abuse is an important public safety issue in our communities—especially as our population ages and families increasingly rely on nursing homes and assisted living facilities to care for our loved ones. Washington State’s Abuse of Vulnerable Adults Act (VAS), Chapter 74.34 RCW, provides important protections for elderly and...

Understanding Your Rights Under Washington’s Vulnerable Adults Act Continue reading…

Lawsuits Filed Against Washington Counties for Decades of Child Sexual Abuse in Juvenile Detention

SEATTLE, WA — Stritmatter Law has filed two separate civil lawsuits against Benton-Franklin County and Grays Harbor County on behalf of nine survivors who were allegedly sexually abused as minors while detained in county-operated juvenile detention facilities. The plaintiffs—now adults—allege that detention officers used their positions of authority to groom, coerce,...

Lawsuits Filed Against Washington Counties for Decades of Child Sexual Abuse in Juvenile Detention Continue reading…
Police officer placing handcuffs on a person during a domestic disturbance call

Mandatory Arrests in Washington State: Understanding Domestic Violence Laws

When Is a Domestic Violence Arrest Required Under Washington Law?

Washington’s Domestic Violence Protection Act takes domestic violence seriously. The laws are meant to protect victims and ensure accountability. There are circumstances where enforcement must make an arrest in domestic violence cases. This blog explores the...

Mandatory Arrests in Washington State: Understanding Domestic Violence Laws Continue reading…
Karin Riebe standing in front of a brick fireplace, smiling and dressed in a purple gown.

Failures in Victim Protection Laws Exposed in $21.5M Wrongful Death Verdict

Karin Riebe loved her son, unconditionally. She was just 18 when he was born, and she raised him as a single mother. Their relationship was always close. As Shawn entered adulthood the relatively small age gap between mother and son transformed their relationship into one that was symbiotic—Karin depended on Shawn and...

Failures in Victim Protection Laws Exposed in $21.5M Wrongful Death Verdict Continue reading…
Stone sign reading 'GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN HIGH SCHOOL' surrounded by trees and bushes.

Bethel School District Sued for Failing to Supervise Student Sex Offender Who Allegedly Assaulted a 10th Grader in a School Bathroom

Pierce County, WA – A lawsuit has been filed against Bethel School District No. 403 for its failures in monitoring a student with a known history of sexual misconduct, exposing innocent students to the risk of sexual assault on school premises.

The complaint alleges that the court had previously...

Bethel School District Sued for Failing to Supervise Student Sex Offender Who Allegedly Assaulted a 10th Grader in a School Bathroom Continue reading…
Two dogs stand in an overgrown and cluttered backyard area, surrounded by debris, a plastic chair, and wild vegetation. The scene reflects neglect and lack of containment, illustrating the hazardous conditions reported by neighbors prior to the 2022 dog attack.

Stritmatter Law Resolves Landmark Case with King County Over Dog Mauling of Jogger in 2022

Following a landmark decision from the Court on July 22, 2025, where the Court found the County had a duty to protect the community from dangerous animals living on a squatter property in unincorporated Auburn, King County has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by a jogger who was mauled by dogs...

Stritmatter Law Resolves Landmark Case with King County Over Dog Mauling of Jogger in 2022 Continue reading…
Three attorneys seated at the counsel table in a courtroom, facing the judge’s bench with the Washington State seal, American flag, and Washington State flag visible in the background.

Mo Hamoudi in Trial News – About a Trial: From the Kittitas Frontier

In a recent feature for Trial News, Stritmatter Law Partner Mo Hamoudi shares attorneys Gemma Zanowski and Lisa Benedetti’s hard-fought victory in a challenging dog attack case. Through relentless litigation, they uncovered Grant County’s failure to enforce its dangerous dog laws, failures that directly led to their client’s...

Mo Hamoudi in Trial News – About a Trial: From the Kittitas Frontier Continue reading…