Effective January 1, 2020 the Seattle Minimum Wage Ordinance requires the following minimum wage be paid to all employees working in Seattle, regardless of the location of the employer: Large Employers (501 or more employees): $16.39/hour Small Employers…

In Rai-Choudhury v. Inslee (78696-2-1, 10/21/19, Division I), the daughter of a decedent challenged her mother’s updated Last Will and Testament, contending her mother was suffering from an “insane delusion” which materially affected her mother’s…

Although there are many pieces to the construction contract, contractors should pay attention to the below five provisions during the negotiation and drafting stages of the contract. Even if not in the negotiation phase, every contractor should have…

In a recent procedurally complex case involving foreclosure of a lien by a condominium association for unpaid dues, the Court of Appeals (Division 1) in Eastlake Lofts Condominium Association v. Hoover (No. 78266-5-1) recently addressed the doctrine of…

Legal Update for Business Owners

The Washington Court of Appeals Division III recently addressed a case involving the tort of Outrage, also known as Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress in Spicer v. Patnode, No. 36065-2-III, June 25, 2019. Claims for Outrage are fairly rare as…

Residents of Seattle have become accustomed to the presence of Lime Bikes, the colorful green and yellow bicycles for rent via an app on your smart phone. An increasing number of these bikes are electric, and soon Lime (and perhaps others) will be adding…

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has recently signed Senate Bill 5600, which makes significant changes to the existing Residential Landlord Tenant Act (“RLTA”) in Washington as codified in RCW 59.18. The changes will impact the rights for both landlords…

Washington State’s legislature recently passed a bill (Senate Bill 5001) that would allow human composting as an alternative to burial or cremation. The bill legalizes disposal of human remains via “natural organic reduction,” which is the accelerated…

Federal law generally prohibits workplace discrimination based on gender. An open question has been whether discrimination "because of gender" includes discrimination against LGBT employees. Some courts have said yes, reasoning that at least…

Link to PDF copy of full (redacted) report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Russian interference in 2016 election

In Brugh v. Fun-Tastic Rides Co., (51055-3, March 26, 2019) the Washington Court of Appeals (Division II) recently addressed application of the Res Ipsa Loquitur (latin for “the thing speaks for itself) doctrine in the context of an injury suffered on a…

ERISA applies to most insurance obtained through an employer (https://pivotallawgroup.com/Blog/2018/01/What-is-ERISA-and-How-Does-It-A). "COBRA" coverage is insurance coverage you get after your employment ends. So it's understandable if you…

Gerlach v. The Cove Apartments

Many people have long term care insurance, especially when they get older, because the cost of prolonged individual care due to an injury or illness can be significant. For that reason, Long Term Care insurance is often part of people’s estate plan. Long…

On February 27, 2019, Pivotal Law Group attorney McKean J. Evans obtained a victory in an ERISA disability lawsuit in federal District Court in Seattle. McKean's client was denied disability coverage because she filed her claim a few days late, even…

The Washington Court of Appeals, Division I, in the matter of In Re Rai-Choudhury (No. 77740-8-1, February 25, 2019) rendered a decision about the impact of a “no contest” clause in a Last Will and Testament. Margaret Rai-Choudhury, age 82, executed a…

There are many reasons to regularly update your estate plan, but one particularly important reason is to ensure family and business colleagues have access to critical information in the event of your unexpected death or incapacity. A recent cautionary…

As with most insurance cases, disputes over disability insurance coverage or benefits frequently turn on the specific insurance policy language at issue. The policy's fine print can lead to outcomes that might seem counterintuitive. Below are four common…

Most Americans lack an estate plan, especially Millennials. Many people find even thinking about estate planning daunting. But, like any problem, it’s easy to approach by breaking it down into small steps. Here’s a straightforward checklist of why an…