Reflections on the Fourth of July
Today is the Fourth of July — a day of celebration and remembrance.
We celebrate our independence. We celebrate liberty and self-determination. We celebrate the importance we place in certain fundamental rights, like freedom from tyranny — from unreasonable conduct by the government against its people.
Supreme Court Expands Liability of Landowners for Reasonably Foreseeable Unsafe Conditions
Today, the Washington Supreme Court expanded the liability of landowners for unsafe conditions on their premises.
The general rule in Washington has been that, with respect to invitees (e.g. customers of a business), a landowner has a duty to discover a dangerous condition where there...
Washington Legislature Passes Bill to Create a Use-of-Force Database
By Lisa Benedetti
Washington Appeals Court Rejects Overly Lenient Discipline of SPD Officer for Excessive Force
By Lisa Benedetti
Today, the Washington State Court of Appeals
Supreme Court Upholds Verdict Finding Police Negligent in Execution of Arrest Warrant
By Lisa Benedetti
Today, the Washington State Supreme Court reaffirmed that police can be held liable for the negligent performance of their duties...
Seattle Children’s Links Mold to Infections and Deaths as Early as 2001
By Lisa Benedetti
In a press conference on Monday, Seattle Children’s Hospital announced that it has now connected cases of Aspergillus infection going back as far as 2001, which they originally believed to be isolated incidents,...
Mold Has Shut down Seattle Children’s Hospital… Again
By Lisa Benedetti
As someone who grew up with asthma and environmental allergies, including mold, I appreciate the importance of protecting immuno-compromised people from these hazards.
Unfortunately, Seattle Children’s Hospital has once again...
Lisa Benedetti Blogs About Her Geeky Passions
The new blog for Stritmatter attorney Lisa Benedetti has gone live! This is a space where Lisa will honor the interconnectedness of her two geekdoms – science fiction/fantasy, and the law – by discussing them in… relatively equal measure. Check it...
Washington Supreme Court Decision Paves Way for Greater Uber and Lyft Accountability
By Lisa Benedetti
Companies like Uber and Lyft have long avoided legal responsibilities like worker benefits and injury victim compensation by...
Who decides when a product is not safe enough for the public?
By Lisa Benedetti
Washington law uses the “ordinary user” test, which means a product is considered unsafe if it is more dangerous than an ordinary consumer would expect. Courts reject any “sophisticated purchaser” limitation, so the ordinary user includes...