SKWC

SKWC

High Profile Cases

SKWC has been busy these past seven years, winning cases worth at least $1 million and up for our clients.  Click here to see a representative list.

Learn about the Monster Truck Case and how SKWC helped the Hizey family.

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' 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.

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.

SKWC


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 innocent person is injured in a car accident, the insurance company can no longer play the same word games.