Hi Karen,
It’s been a while since my case settled in 2010, but you would remember me as ‘Colleen McCallum v. Allstate Insurance’ for a Bad Faith Claim with co-counsel Michael Fisher from Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler.
That MVA was in 2004, and the lawsuits took over 6 years - it was a huge relief once it was finally settled.
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There used to be a club called Mr. Lucky that was directly across the street from the sonics arena at the Seattle Center. On April 19, 2004, at 2 am when the club emptied out into the parking a large fight broke out involving two dozen people. Security more or less let them go at it.
Phuon Mensaveng was a 24 year old father no bigger than I. He was in the melee. A tall bodybuilder type took a four foot metal pipe and swung it as had as he could at Phoun’s face, knocking him to the ground. As Phuon lay dying, people began to kick him. It was ugly. Hideous.
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Two extra years were needed for Phuong to graduate from North Seattle College after she was almost killed in the Ride the Ducks crash on the Aurora Bridge on September 24, 2015. She missed one whole year due to being at Harborview and the Kiero Rehabilitation Home. When she was able to enter school her injuries required her to take reduced loads. Including fitting in a total hip replacement surgery during winter break 2017. Phuong was the lead plaintiff in the Ride the Ducks trial that occurred from October 1 2018 through February 7, 2019.
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Jan was married to her childhood sweetheart. She made his favorite sandwich. Was getting ready to leave for his jobsite. So they could have a noon picnic in the car. Phone rang. There had been a work accident. Charlie was dead. Jan never got to say goodbye.
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This is the official press release relating to the Owen v. State tree fall claim.
September 5, 2014
**PRESS RELEASE **
Re: Estate of Tim Owen, Estate of Cheryl Owen, Jessica Owen, Jaime Mayer,
Steven Mayer, Jeremy Owen v. State of Washington...
Walk up to door one. Open and walk through. Door two. Push button. It clicks. Enter. Write name and time on log at front desk. Write name on tag and stick on shirt. Cindy arrives and says hello. Follow her down the linoleum covered hall. Past the man in a wheelchair. An open door reveals a woman in bed watching tv. A hunched over man looks at me from another open door. His leg is bandaged. Walk towards the eating area where several others are congregated. Mostly in wheelchairs. Chatting. Average age probably middle 70s. Or older.
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Tired of fake reality tv.
Try the true life story of the survival and recovery of the Owen family. Brought to you by - the Owen Family.
According to the news: On December 21st around 1:20 p.m. The Owen family was traveling on Highway 2 near Stevens Pass when a tree fell onto their suburban and claimed the lives of 58-year-old Tim Owen and 56-year-old Cheryl Reed. Also in the vehicle were the couple's son, Jeremy, daughters Jessie and Jamie, and son-in-law Steven Mayer. Jeremy was released from the hospital but the other three are still being treated for serious injuries.
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Several years ago my friend and colleague Morris Rosenberg asked me to work with him to represent Nancy Callan a world class glass artist. She was and is a fun and amazing person. After the case concluded I visited her house/studio and bought a glass sculpture. I also bought an modern architectural painting from her long time partner Julia Ricketts.
Read MorePress conferences before a case ends is one thing. Attorneys have to carefully monitor what can be said or not due to legal ethics rules.
But after a case is over, attorneys need to step to the side and put the clients front and center. It is their case. They are the people whose lives have been impacted. It is their moment.
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We'll never learn exactly what went through the commercial truck driver's mind. He wanted to take a left turn. He was supposed to yield to oncoming traffic. But he didn't.
The front of Lynn's car crushed inwards, breaking her bones and trapping her inside. It took 45 minutes for the fire department to finally extract her. We shared her memories with the jury:
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It is freezing out here. The candles keep getting blown out by the frigid wind. We are huddled in puffy coats and blankets. Standing on the street corner where Kris's memorial lies. Feet away from where he was struck down in the middle of the street.
The family is accompanied by friends. A man who has Kris' heart. A cop and a lawyer.
Kris was killed when he was 20. Ten years ago. When my girls were 11, 10 and 7. They are his age now.
Read MoreHere are some thoughts on the first client interview in a personal injury case. This approach applies to PI attorneys who do not have "mill" type practices.
- The interview is a two way street
- Consider having a staff member attend to get a second "read" on the situation
- Go to the client if they can’t go to you
- Be aware of all the details of what you are seeing, hearing, feeling
- Ask yourself if you “like” the plaintiff then write down your very first impression even if it is not favorable