On January 2, 2026, the Court of Appeals Division III took the intriguing step of elevating a letter ruling, on which parties outside that litigation generally cannot rely, to the status of an unpublished opinion. An unpublished opinion, while
Stritmatter Law Blog
The Stritmatter Law Blog, published by Stritmatter Law, focuses on legal issues primarily related to personal injury, wrongful death, consumer protection, and civil litigation in Washington State. It covers topics such as statutes of limitations for wrongful death claims, consumer fraud and the Consumer Protection Act, class action lawsuits, and critiques of law enforcement and mental health crisis responses. The blog also highlights notable legal cases and verdicts, discusses legal rights and remedies for victims, and provides insights into local legal developments and judicial careers. It serves as a resource for understanding legal processes and protections available to individuals affected by negligence, consumer deception, and systemic legal challenges.
Latest from Stritmatter Law Blog - Page 6
Landmark $44.7 Million Jury Verdict in Motorcycle Injury Case Upheld by State Supreme Court
Three and a half years after a jury awarded $44.7 Million in a Stritmatter Law motorcycle collision trial, the Washington State Supreme Court ended the appeal of B.S. v. Holguin by denying the defendant’s petition to review.
The plaintiff, a young…
Former Child Pop Star, Stacie Orrico, Sues Christian Music Industry For Sexual Assault
Los Angeles, California – Former Christian music pop star Stacie Orrico has filed suit against the music companies and child predator manager who stole her childhood.
Ms. Orrico was discovered by the Christian music industry when at the age of…
UPEPA Meets #MeToo: The Washington Court of Appeals’ Blunt Message to Lawsuits Aimed at Silencing Survivors
(Content Warning: discussion of sexual assault and grooming behavior)
On December 30, 2025, the Washington Court of Appeals dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a pastor against his employee and parishioner after she referred to a sexual encounter between them…
Year‑End Legal Realities: Understanding Washington’s Wrongful‑Death Statute of Limitations
Family members of individuals who have died due to negligence may have the right to pursue a wrongful death action against the at-fault party. However, they only have a certain amount of time to do so due to a deadline…
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…
Consumer Fraud in Washington—Your Right to Protect the Public
Consumer fraud can happen to anyone—whether through misleading advertising, hidden fees, or other deceptive business practices. Deceptive businesses often collect small amounts of money from numerous consumers because they assume consumers will not bother to enforce their rights over small…
From KarenKoehler.com: Seattle Employs Age Old Propaganda Tactic Against Gas Works Park Victims
Karen Koehler recently wrote about the City of Seattle’s initial response to the Gas Works Park nuisance lawsuit following the death of fifteen-year-old Matthies Johnson and injuries to fourteen other young people.
This blog was originally published on Karen Koehler’s…
Justice Mary Yu Retires: Celebrating a Trailblazing Career on Washington’s Supreme Court
At the end of 2025, Washington will say goodbye to a remarkable jurist. Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu is retiring after 25 years on the bench. For many of us in the legal community, the news felt like a…
When Systemic Failures Lead to Wrongful Death: Holding Institutions Accountable
When a tragic death happens because of repeated negligence, it is not simply the result of a single mistake. Too often, it reflects systemic failures—patterns of carelessness, ignored warnings, or unsafe practices that go uncorrected until lives are lost. Families…