On February 15, 2018, the Washington Supreme Court issued an important decision clarifying the authority of Washington’s Court of Appeals in the case In re Personal Restraint of Arnold, Case No. 94544-6. Washington’s Court of Appeals is divided into…

Aetna, the country’s third largest health insurer, is under investigation by state insurance regulators following Aetna’s admission that it routinely denies medical treatment coverage without reviewing the insured’s medical records. Aetna’s admission…

Many employers routinely run background checks, including for criminal history, as part of screening prospective employees. Washington and federal law require employers follow specific procedures when performing background checks, and give employees…

In Acosta v. Mabton, the Court of Appeals (Division III)(No. 35159-9, 2018), recently addressed whether a property owner had a claim against the city (Mabton, WA) when sewage backed up and flooded their residence. In Acosta, on the morning of January 12…

U.S. Federal District Judge Barbara Rothstein recently upheld a $15.1 million jury verdict against the city of Lakewood and three Lakewood police officers over the 2013 killing of an unarmed man. In her 69-page order, Judge Rothstein repeatedly…

On January 9, 2018, Washington’s Court of Appeals issued a ruling that significantly limits policyholders’ coverage under many automobile insurance policies. In Koren v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, Case No. 34723-1-III, the court interpreted…

Marijuana is regulated as a dangerous drug by Congress. The U.S. Supreme Court recognizes that the federal prohibition takes precedence over any state law that says otherwise. The United States Trustee Program (USTP) has to respect this. Thus, the answer…

If you have health plan or similar insurance through your employer, you may encounter the term “ERISA” in the context of your benefits. The upshot is ERISA is a federal law that regulates most employer-provided benefit plans, like health insurance…

The Washington Supreme Court recently clarified the rules governing who may obtain a marijuana retail license. In Libby Haines-Marchel, et al. v. Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board, the Supreme Court ruled that the Washington State Liquor and…

In Knutson v. Macy’s West Stores, Inc., et al, (75565-0-1)(December 11, 2017), the Court of Appeals Division I overturned a trial court ruling relating to a patron injured while riding on an escalator at the Bellevue Square Mall. Natasha Knutson and her…

What is a power of attorney? For many folks, a power of attorney, i.e., a legal document designating another person to act on your behalf as your “agent,” is a critical part of an estate plan or other legal arrangement. While it might seem…

Owners and renters of properties used as short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb) should be mindful of the Seattle city council’s imminent action on proposed new short-term rental rules. On Monday, December 11, 2017, the Seattle city council is expected to vote…

Seattle is in a construction boom and many firms are engaged in large scale real estate construction projects. That often entails tax liability under Washington and Seattle sales tax and business and occupation (“B&O”) tax. But certain real estate…

(Internet image- author and date unknown)

So you’ve had a loss – perhaps a tree fell on your house, your car was wrecked or you became injured or disabled – and it’s time to dust off that insurance policy to see if you’re covered. Maybe you already made a claim but your insurer denied it for…

Whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor is a critical distinction for employees and employers alike. For employees, the distinction can affect entitlement to overtime, breaks, legal protections and additional benefits. The…

In a recent unpublished decision, the Court of Appeals ruled on a business dispute between two former partners involving the business’ loss in the 2008 crash and one partner’s attempt to murder the other to collect insurance money. Dr. Michael King and…

The Washington Supreme Court’s recent En Banc ruling in Mikkelsen v. Public Utility District No. 1 of Kittitas County clarifies what an employee must allege in order to sue for illegal discrimination under Washington law. In that case, Kim Mikkelsen sued…

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed a $6.6 million jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs, three police officers of Latino descent, against the City of Westminster’s police department. In Flores v. City of Westminster, the court…

On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, a Tacoma federal judge issued a ruling declining to block Washington’s anti-cyberstalking law, but expressed concerns the law may be unconstitutional. The plaintiff in the lawsuit alleges the law is unconstitutional because…