https://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/Cochran Douglas Personal Injury Attorneys2024-02-21T12:39:00-05:00https://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2024/02/21/bodycam-pierce-county-deputy-shoots-215710Bodycam: Pierce County Deputy Shoots Car Thief Suspect in the BackPierce County deputy shoots a car theft suspect in the back as he tries to escape, the shooting was ruled justified. The attorney for the suspect believes there is more to the case, which left Bryan Galeana Mendoza paralyzed.
2024-02-21T12:39:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetruecivil-rights, excessive-force/2024/02/21/bodycam-pierce-county-deputy-shoots-215710Civil Rights Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/10/30/teen-gymnast-sues-former-gig-215169Teen gymnast sues former Gig Harbor gym following sexual misconductTeen gymnast sues former Gig Harbor coach, gym following sexual misconduct allegations
2023-10-30T16:16:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalseandrew-smith, nasa-gymnastics, sexual-abuse/2023/10/30/teen-gymnast-sues-former-gig-215169Tacoma Sex Abuse Attorneyshttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/10/13/2023-washington-super-lawyers-honorees-2151482023 Washington Super Lawyers HonoreesCongratulations to attorneys Loren Cochran and Cole Douglas!
2023-10-13T13:44:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalsesuper-lawyers/2023/10/13/2023-washington-super-lawyers-honorees-215148Super Lawyershttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/10/13/suspect-paralyzed-by-pierce-deputy-s-215147Suspect paralyzed by Pierce deputy's gunfire. Was it excessive force?Car-theft suspect was paralyzed by Pierce deputy s gunfire. Was it excessive force?
2023-10-13T12:59:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetruecivil-rights, excessive-force/2023/10/13/suspect-paralyzed-by-pierce-deputy-s-215147Civil Rights Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/08/16/students-sue-sumner-school-district-215007Students Sue Sumner School District Over Ex-Coach's Alleged Sex AbuseFour former Sumner High School players and their parents filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District of failing to protect them from ex-basketball coach Jacob Jake Jackson, despite at least two known complaints about his interactions with students.
2023-08-16T20:02:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalsejake-jackson, sumner-bonney-lake-school-district/2023/08/16/students-sue-sumner-school-district-215007Tacoma Sex Abuse Attorneyshttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/06/06/samuel-caffey-child-sex-abuse-214795Samuel Caffey Child Sex Abuse Arrest: What We Know So FarFormer Shelton High School counselor Samuel Caffey was arrested on July 2, 2023 on several charges including child rape and molestation. Here is what we know thus far...
2023-06-06T14:32:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalseshelton-school-district, sex-abuse-investigation/2023/06/06/samuel-caffey-child-sex-abuse-214795Shelton School District, Sex Abuse Investigationhttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/06/06/former-mason-county-school-counselor-214794Former Mason County School Counselor ArrestedFormer Mason County school counselor arrested on multiple sexual assault allegations
2023-06-06T14:13:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalseshelton-school-district, sex-abuse-investigation/2023/06/06/former-mason-county-school-counselor-214794Shelton School District, Sex Abuse Investigationhttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/06/06/former-shelton-counselor-arrested-on-214793Former Shelton Counselor Arrested on Multiple Charges Including RapeFormer Shelton counselor arrested on multiple charges including rape, child molestation
2023-06-06T14:04:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalseshelton-school-district, sex-abuse-investigation/2023/06/06/former-shelton-counselor-arrested-on-214793Shelton School District, Sex Abuse Investigationhttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/06/06/former-shelton-high-school-counselor-214792Former Shelton High School Counselor Arrested on Child RapeFormer Shelton High School counselor arrested on child rape and other charges
2023-06-06T13:52:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalseshelton-school-district, sex-abuse-investigation/2023/06/06/former-shelton-high-school-counselor-214792Tacoma Sex Abuse Attorneyshttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/28/ex-sumner-coach-charged-with-child-214410Ex-Sumner Coach Charged with Child Rape, Molestation of PlayersEx-Sumner coach charged with child rape, molestation of players
2023-04-28T20:01:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalsejake-jackson, sumner-bonney-lake-school-district, sexual-abuse/2023/04/28/ex-sumner-coach-charged-with-child-214410Tacoma Sex Abuse Attorneyshttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/28/former-sumner-high-varsity-basketball-214409Former Sumner High Varsity Basketball Coach Charged with RapeFormer Sumner High varsity basketball coach charged with rape, child molestation
2023-04-28T19:48:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalsejake-jackson, sumner-bonney-lake-school-district, sexual-abuse/2023/04/28/former-sumner-high-varsity-basketball-214409Tacoma Sex Abuse Attorneys https://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/27/jake-jackson-has-been-charged-214406Jake Jackson Has Been Charged by the Pierce County Prosecutor’s OfficeCharges have finally been filed against Jacob Jake Jackson by the Pierce County Prosecutor s Office.
2023-04-27T22:22:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalsejacob-jackson, sumner-bonney-lake-school-district, sexual-abuse/2023/04/27/jake-jackson-has-been-charged-214406Sex Abuse Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/26/michael-joseph-basse-child-sexual-214389Michael Joseph Basse Child Sexual Abuse Charges: What We Know So FarFormer University Place School District employee, youth baseball coach, and jujitsu instructor Mike Basse was charged with multiple counts of child rape and molestation. Here is what we know about the case so far.
2023-04-26T16:05:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalsemichael-joseph-basse, sexual-abuse/2023/04/26/michael-joseph-basse-child-sexual-214389https://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/25/former-coach-charged-with-child-214394Former Coach Charged with Child Sex CrimesKIRO 7 News - VIDEO: Former Coach Charged with Child Sex Crimes
2023-04-25T22:18:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalsemichael-joseph-basse, sex-abuse-investigation, sexual-abuse/2023/04/25/former-coach-charged-with-child-214394Michael Basse Sex Abuse Investigationhttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/25/university-place-coach-charged-with-214392University Place Coach Charged with Multiple Counts of Child RapeFormer University Place coach charged with multiple counts of child rape, molestation
Michael Joseph Basse was arrested on April 21.
2023-04-25T16:51:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetruemichael-joseph-basse, sex-abuse-investigation, sexual-abuse/2023/04/25/university-place-coach-charged-with-214392Michael Basse Sex Abuse Investigationhttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/25/michael-basse-university-place-coach-214387Michael Basse: University Place Coach Faces Child Rape ChargesToday Michael Basse, former University Place School District employee, coach, and jujitsu instructor was charged with eight (8) separate counts of child rape and five (5) separate counts of child molestation.
Cochran Douglas, PLLC represents Basse's victims and is currently in the process of investigating a variety of claims. Please contact us at (253) 472-7777 if you have any information.
2023-04-25T00:50:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalsemichael-joseph-basse, sex-abuse-investigation/2023/04/25/michael-basse-university-place-coach-214387Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/24/man-who-coached-youth-sports-214386Man Who Coached Youth Sports in UP Arrested for Child Molestation RapeA former youth baseball and jujitsu coach was arrested Friday morning for investigation of numerous counts of child rape and molestation, according to the Pierce County Sheriff s Department. The 59-year-old man worked in the University Place School District from 2007 until he was fired in 2016.
The suspect was booked into the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of four counts of first-degree child rape, one count of second-degree child rape, four counts of third-degree child rape, four counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of second-degree child
2023-04-24T16:31:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetruemichael-joseph-basse, sex-abuse-investigation/2023/04/24/man-who-coached-youth-sports-214386https://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/06/sumner-hs-basketball-players-plan-214336Sumner HS Basketball Players Plan to File Lawsuit Against DistrictSUMNER, Wash. - Four Sumner High School basketball players and their parents plan to sue the school's former head basketball coach Jacob Jackson and the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District over claims of sexual assault.
Attorneys representing the students and their parents delivered eight tort-claim forms, which is a notice of intent to file a lawsuit, to the school district on Monday.
2023-04-06T18:53:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalse/2023/04/06/sumner-hs-basketball-players-plan-214336Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/06/disappearing-snapchat-messages-complicate-shs-214335Disappearing Snapchat Messages Complicate SHS Sex Abuse InvestigationBy Patrick Malone | Follow the link to access the online article
Six former players, ages 15 to 17, told Sumner police detectives that Jackson solicited nude pictures of them, and shared nudes of himself with them, according to interview summaries attached to seven search warrants obtained by The Seattle Times. The players say the abuse began when they entered high school. Two players said Jackson allegedly touched himself in their presence for sexual gratification. One player told investigators Jackson inappropriately touched him.
2023-04-06T18:46:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalse/2023/04/06/disappearing-snapchat-messages-complicate-shs-214335Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2023/04/06/lawsuit-alleges-former-sumner-basketball-214334Lawsuit Alleges Former Sumner Basketball Coach Sexually Abused MinorBy Angelica Relente | Follow this link to access the online article
A second family has sued a former Sumner High School varsity basketball coach. The family alleges Jacob Jake Jackson sexually abused and harassed a boy he met at a Sumner Basketball Academy event. They filed the lawsuit Feb. 27 in Pierce County Superior Court against Jackson and Sterling Athletics. The News Tribune reported in October about a similar lawsuit filed against Jackson by another family. That family made similar allegations. Both families are represented by attorney Loren Cochran of the Cochran Douglas law firm.
2023-04-06T17:39:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2023/04/06/lawsuit-alleges-former-sumner-basketball-214334Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2021/11/08/lawsuit-filed-against-olympia-fieldstone-211973Lawsuit Filed Against Olympia Fieldstone Memory Care Alleging NeglectBy: Ty Vinson -- The Olympian | Follow this link to access the online article.
A lawsuit has been filed against the companies that run Fieldstone Memory Care in Olympia on behalf of the family of a resident who died at the facility in July.
According to the lawsuit filed Nov. 4 in Thurston County Superior Court by attorney Loren Cochran, resident William Glover, 85, died on July 2 during a Fourth of July celebration at Fieldstone. He had choked on a hot dog and efforts to clear his airway were unsuccessful, according to the suit.
Glover had Parkinsonism and Alzheimer s dementia. Under the contract Glover s family had with the memory care facility, the family paid for additional services and amenities for Glover, including one-on-one dining assistance. It was stipulated that all food served to him had to be finely cut or pureed to prevent choking, according to the suit.
According to court documents, Glover was served an unsupervised meal during the Fourth of July celebration2021-11-08T12:39:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2021/11/08/lawsuit-filed-against-olympia-fieldstone-211973Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2021/10/22/jury-awards-500-000-to-bethel-211971Jury Awards $500,000 to Bethel High School Special Education Student..By: Lionel Donovan -- KING5 News | Follow this link to access the online article.
TACOMA, Wash. A Tacoma jury has determined the Bethel School District failed to protect one of its most vulnerable students, in what attorneys are calling a landmark case for special education students.
The jury awarded $500,000 to a special needs student who was the victim of sexual abuse from another student. The victim's attorneys argued the school district should have known about the risks and done more to offer protection.
This is a landmark decision for special education students, said Tom Vertetis, one of the attorneys for the student who has only been identified by the initials CKM.
Vertetis said that in 2012, CKM was sexually assaulted and harassed multiple times by one of her classmates while attending Bethel High School.
CKM's attorneys argued the Bethel School District administration knew this could happen, given the perpetrator's history at the Clover Park2021-10-22T12:38:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2021/10/22/jury-awards-500-000-to-bethel-211971Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2021/07/16/man-sexually-assaulted-by-another-211969Man Sexually Assaulted By Another Patient At Tacoma Behavioral HealthBy Alexis Krell -- The News Tribune | Follow this link to access the online article
A man who was sexually assaulted by another patient at Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital in Tacoma has sued the facility, according to court records.
The 21-year-old filed his lawsuit Tuesday in Pierce County Superior Court, alleging that Wellfound didn t take proper precautions to protect him and should have known the woman who assaulted him was a danger to other patients.
You expect to be kept safe when you enter a facility like this, said Cole Douglas, one of the attorneys representing him. ... When the exact opposite happens, it really flips your world upside-down.
Douglas said the 21-year-old and his family researched Wellfound and called the facility to ask about safety before he went there in February.
Wellfound said in a statement Thursday that it s committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment to our community. We take seriously the responsibilities we have to o2021-07-16T12:35:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2021/07/16/man-sexually-assaulted-by-another-211969Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2021/07/14/2021-washington-super-lawyers-2119672021 Washington Super Lawyers & Rising Stars HonoreesCongratulations to attorneys Loren Cochran and Cole Douglas! Loren has again been selected as a Super Lawyers Honoree for the State of Washington. This is his eighth year in a row being recognized as a Washington Super Lawyer. In a similar fashion, Cole has again been selected as a Rising Stars Honoree. This is his fourth year receiving that honor.
Every year Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented selection process that involves peer nominations, independent research and peer evaluations. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Out of all eligible attorneys, only 5% are selected to Super Lawyers and only 2.5% are selected to Rising Stars.
For more information regarding the selection process and to view this year's Super Lawyers' publication, follow the link below:
2021 Washington Super Lawyers Publication
2021-07-14T12:34:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2021/07/14/2021-washington-super-lawyers-211967Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2021/01/22/trial-demonstratives-orn-v-211965Trial Demonstratives - Orn v. City of TacomaThanks so much to DK Global Inc. for their help in our Orn v. City of Tacoma case that recently went to trial!
Be sure to watch the video below to catch a glimpse of the demonstratives they helped create...
2021-01-22T12:32:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2021/01/22/trial-demonstratives-orn-v-211965Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2020/12/22/the-right-coach-can-change-211963The Right Coach Can Change a Child’s Life - The Wrong Coach Can Scar..Children are taught at young ages to trust the coach, an adult in a position of authority. The right coach can change a child s life teaching and modeling sportsmanship, competition and teamwork. The wrong coach can scar a child for life. Unfortunately, a growing number of sexual predators are using sports to gain access to children. Regardless of a child s age or gender, parents of student athletes must be vigilant. Here are important questions parents should ask youth sports organizations about abuse prevention:
Does the youth-sports organization conduct a background check on coaches and others who supervise and have access to the children?
Are there other adults present, besides the coach, to assist in supervising children during team events and practices, including any off-site travel?
Does the team use a locker room for children to dress, and, if so, is there more than one adult present in the locker room when children are using it?
Does the team or organization commun2020-12-22T12:30:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2020/12/22/the-right-coach-can-change-211963Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2020/09/30/is-it-too-late-to-211961Is It Too Late To File Suit If I Was Sexually Abused As A Child?In Washington State, as a general rule of thumb, you typically need to file personal injury lawsuit within two (2) years for assault, battery or false imprisonment. A lawsuit involving negligence must be filed within three (3) years of the date of the accident or injury.
For personal injury claims involving sexual abuse, however, the law is written in a much broader, more favorable manner that better accounts for the sensitive nature of these claims, and the negative stigma associated with being an abuse victim that regularly deters men and women from coming forward and making their abuse public. As a result, sexual abuse victims are regularly provided an opportunity to pursue civil claims against their abuser, as well as any individual or entity whose negligence led to the abuse, years and sometimes even decades after the sexual abuse occurred.
Calculating what is called the statute of limitations, or your deadline in which you need to file suit, can be tricky. Cochran Douglas, 2020-09-30T12:28:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2020/09/30/is-it-too-late-to-211961Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2020/09/29/what-to-do-after-an-211959What To Do After an Auto Accident
Call 911: Call 911 for police and medical aid.
Exchange information: Get the name, address and insurance company of both the owner and the driver of the car that hit you.
Take pictures: Take pictures at the scene of the crash, including pictures of your car, the car that hit you and all injuries.
Seek medical aid: If you are injured, get medical help as soon as possible. Delaying treatment or downplaying serious injuries can cause you significant harm.
Protect your rights: Call (253) 472-7777 for legal help!
2020-09-29T12:27:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2020/09/29/what-to-do-after-an-211959Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2020/09/16/5-common-mistakes-after-suffering-2119575 Common Mistakes After Suffering an Injury
Not calling for help: Like many people, you may think that you need to show strength or power through a traumatic situation, including declining immediate medical aid. This can be a serious mistake that can lead to even more significant health problems down the line.
Not following healthcare advice: Another big no-no when you are injured is to ignore doctor s orders. Healthcare professionals are dedicated to helping you recover and get your life back on track. If you have been given a treatment plan by your doctor s office, make sure to follow it or at least get a second opinion.
Social media posting: It has become second nature to constantly give updates about day-to-day living on your favorite social media platform. Unfortunately, no one knows this better than insurance companies and defense attorneys who want to deny your injury claim. If you ve suffered an injury, but you re posting about a fabulous vacation, it may be difficult for a cynical insurance claims adjuster to u2020-09-16T12:26:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2020/09/16/5-common-mistakes-after-suffering-211957Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2020/09/09/sexual-abuse-warning-signs-211955Sexual Abuse Warning SignsSexual abuse victims may show certain signs that parents, caregivers and friends should know to protect victims from further abuse. Each person is different and can show different signs indicating victimization. Recognizing possible signs of abuse can help you to assist the victim in getting help and stopping the abuse as soon as possible.
The American Psychological Association outlines behaviors common in children who have been abused:
An increase in nightmares and/or other sleeping difficulties
Angry outbursts
Anxiety
Depression
Difficulty walking or sitting
Withdrawn behavior
Pregnancy or contraction of a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14
Propensity to run away
Refusal to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
Regressive behaviors depending on their age (e.g., return to thumb-sucking or bed-wetting)
Reluctance to be left alone with a particular person or people
Sexual knowledge, language, and/or behaviors that are unusual 2020-09-09T12:25:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2020/09/09/sexual-abuse-warning-signs-211955Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2020/08/05/what-to-do-after-you-211953What To Do After You or a Family Member Have Been Injured by a...When you or a family member have been injured by a defective product, the first thing that you should do is seek medical treatment. Once you have ensured your and/or your family members safety, follow these steps to protects yourself and your rights:
Take pictures: Document the scene where the injuries occurred by taking numerous photos of the defective product and the surrounding area. The more photos, the better.
Do not throw anything away: No matter the type of defective product, it is important to safely save and store the defective item as well as any packaging materials. Do not throw away any portion of the product whatsoever, even if you consider it to be broken or unimportant.
Collect purchase and sale information: Track down any receipts for when the product was initially purchased and any marketing materials or advertisements you saw and/or considered in purchasing the defective product. This includes printouts or photos of the website from where the item was purch2020-08-05T12:24:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2020/08/05/what-to-do-after-you-211953Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2020/01/01/the-state-s-duty-to-prevent-211951The State’s Duty to Prevent Child-on-Child Sexual Abuse in Foster CareFoster care, by its very nature, often involves caring for children who have suffered child abuse or neglect. A significant number of the children in foster care have been sexually abused. For example, a 2009 study reported that in a sample size of 155 girls in foster care, up to 81% reported being sexually abused, and of those, 68% reported being sexually abused by more than one individual.
While most children who have been sexually abused do not go on to commit sexual offenses themselves, past sexual victimization can increase the likelihood of sexually aggressive behavior. Because of the amount of foster care children who have been sexually abused, child-on-child sexual abuse is a recognized problem in the foster care system. Specifically, Washington State has openly acknowledged the danger of sexually predatory children placed in foster care, who then go on to sexually abuse other children in the home, since at least 2002. Child-on-child sexual abuse in foster homes is a problem2020-01-01T12:22:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2020/01/01/the-state-s-duty-to-prevent-211951Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2019/08/19/daughters-of-slain-tacoma-police-211949Daughters of Slain Tacoma Police Officer File Wrongful Death Lawsuit..TACOMA, Wash. -- The daughters of slain Tacoma police officer Jake Gutierrez are taking his own department to task claiming his death could have and should have been prevented.
Monday they took the extraordinary step of filing suit against the department. In essence, the daughters say the department and fellow officers let their father down in a series of missteps that ultimately led to his death.
Not only have we lost a father, said Victoria Gutierrez. We lost our best friend.
Victoria and sister Gabriella Cothran stood at the steps of the Pierce County courthouse with a picture of their father smiling down on them.
We just know that it could have been prevented if other things were followed, said Gabriella.
They and their attorneys also provided two items they say are key to what could have prevented their father s death.
One is an arrest warrant for Bruce Johnson that was never acted upon. He is the man who killed Guiterrez during a domestic violence call in 2019-08-19T12:21:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2019/08/19/daughters-of-slain-tacoma-police-211949Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2019/08/19/family-of-slain-tacoma-officer-211947Family of Slain Tacoma Officer Filing Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against..TACOMA, Wash. The daughters and estate of slain Tacoma Officer Reginald Gutierrez are filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Tacoma. The lawsuit alleges that two weeks before Officer Gutierrez was killed by 38-year-old Bruce Johnson, police stopped Johnson but did not arrest him. He had an active warrant for his arrest, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also alleges police took Johnson's shotgun during the stop, but returned it to him. It was the same shotgun he used to kill Officer Gutierrez, according to the lawsuit. There was an Officer Safety Notice regarding Bruce Johnson, according to the lawsuit. However, Officer Gutierrez was not aware of the danger, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit follows a tort claim that was quickly rejected by the city. Attorney Loren Cochran previously said Tacoma police were called to the Tacoma Mall on November 15, 2016 after Johnson was seen walking through the mall impersonating an officer. He was wearing a c
2019-08-19T12:19:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2019/08/19/family-of-slain-tacoma-officer-211947Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2019/08/19/slain-police-officer-s-family-sues-211945Slain Police Officer’s Family Sues Tacoma, Saying Gutierrez’s Death...The family of a Tacoma police officer killed in the line of duty filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city Monday.
Officer Reginald Jake Gutierrez, 45, was fatally shot Nov. 30, 2016, while responding to a domestic violence call.
Gutierrez s three adult daughters argue police should have arrested the killer two weeks prior, when he brought a shotgun to the Tacoma Mall.
This lawsuit is brought by Jake Gutierrez s daughters seeking answers to fundamental questions about officer safety and accountability for the negligence and gross negligence which resulted in the highly preventable death of their father, the complaint says.
The lawsuit Gabriella Cothran, Victoria Gutierrez and Antonia Gutierrez filed in Pierce County Superior Court seeks unspecified damages. A claim they filed as a precursor to the lawsuit sought $21 million.
Jake Gutierrez never got an officer safety notice that police issued about the suspect, the lawsuit alleges.
The Gutierrez sisters wan2019-08-19T12:17:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2019/08/19/slain-police-officer-s-family-sues-211945Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2019/08/19/daughters-of-slain-tacoma-officer-211943Daughters of Slain Tacoma officer File Lawsuit Against the City...TACOMA - The family of a fallen police officer filed a lawsuit against the City of Tacoma, Monday.
If protocols were followed, our father would be here today. And since they weren t followed, we have suffered a great loss in our lives, said Victoria Gutierrez, the officer s youngest daughter. Years later, we re still left with questions that should have been answered from the get-go.
Part of the lawsuit stated Gutierrez s family believed he would be alive had it not been for the negligence of the city and the police department. A statement from the city attorney s office said the alleged facts in the lawsuit don t support liability against the city.
Part of the statement said, The City is aware of the lawsuit related to Jake s death from members of his family. The City s Legal Department has evaluated the claims being asserted, and while we are deeply sorry, and share his family s tremendous sense of loss, the facts alleged in this lawsuit are simply insufficient to suppo2019-08-19T12:16:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2019/08/19/daughters-of-slain-tacoma-officer-211943Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2019/05/22/daughters-of-slain-officer-blame-211941Daughters of Slain Officer Blame Tacoma Police Dept. for His DeathTACOMA, Wash. The heartache felt by Antonia, Gabriella and Victoria Gutierrez has turned to anger.
Their father, Tacoma Police Officer Reginald Jake Gutierrez, was shot dead in late 2016 during a violent domestic dispute Gutierrez and his partner responded to while on patrol.
On Wednesday, his daughters filed notice in Pierce County Superior Court that they intend to sue the Tacoma Police Department for $21 million, claiming TPD officers are the ones who put the murder weapon in the suspect s hands.
We just want to make sure the department is held accountable for their actions, Antonia Gutierrez told KIRO 7. This could have been prevented.
Reginald Jake Gutierrez, a 17-year TPD veteran, was killed Nov. 30, 2016, by Bruce Randall Johnson.
That night, while armed with a shotgun, 38-year old Johnson locked his wife out of their Tacoma home and used the couple s two young children as shields during a long stand-off and eventual shoot-out with Tacoma police.
The ch2019-05-22T12:14:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2019/05/22/daughters-of-slain-officer-blame-211941Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2018/08/14/23rd-annual-puget-sound-angler-19276723rd Annual Puget Sound Angler Salmon Derby Sponsored by Leahy LawLeahy Law was proud to be a sponsor of the Puget Sound Anglers of Gig Harbor / Tacoma 23rd Annual Salmon Derby.
2018-08-14T17:51:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalse/2018/08/14/23rd-annual-puget-sound-angler-192767Tacoma, WAhttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2018/08/14/an-expert-s-view-on-interpersonal-211939An Expert’s View on Interpersonal ViolenceDr. Jon Conte is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington s School of Social Work. He has testified as an expert on mental health issues related to child abuse and trauma in state and federal courts across the country. Dr. Conte has also been the Editor of the Journal of Interpersonal Violence for the past 30 years. This interview discusses trends in the research of interpersonal violence, emerging areas of the law related to interpersonal violence, and the influence of technology and social media on interpersonal violence.
I sat down with Dr. Conte to get his insights into this field.
What is the study of interpersonal violence?
Interpersonal violence is a term that has changed over time. Initially it referred to any kind of person-on-person violence, but not, for example, war or terrorism. It would be domestic violence, child abuse, rape, and even violent crime. And, it would include not only physical violence, but also psychological maltreatment. But over the pa2018-08-14T12:13:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2018/08/14/an-expert-s-view-on-interpersonal-211939Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2018/05/14/puyallup-s-multicare-good-samaritan-hospital-190903MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Hepatitis C Exposure in Puyallup, WALeahy Law has joined the fight to figure out why a nurse at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA, is facing allegations of infecting over 2,600 emergency room patients with Hepatitis C.
2018-05-14T17:43:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetruehepatitis-c/2018/05/14/puyallup-s-multicare-good-samaritan-hospital-190903MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Hep C Exposurehttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2018/04/19/pip-personal-injury-protection-insurance-190455PIP (Personal Injury Protection) InsuranceThe attorneys at Leahy Law discuss the benefits of PIP (Personal Injury Protection) Insurance.
2018-04-19T12:00:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalsepersonal-injury/2018/04/19/pip-personal-injury-protection-insurance-190455PIP (Personal Injury Protection) Insurancehttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2018/03/19/how-an-uninsured-motorists-attorney-189897How an Uninsured Motorists Attorney Can Help After an AccidentOur Tacoma, WA attorneys can appeal denied insurance claims after an accident with an uninsured/underinsured motorist. The lawyers of Leahy Law can help with collision lawsuits.2018-03-19T19:05:00-04:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsefalseauto-accidents, uninsured-drivers/2018/03/19/how-an-uninsured-motorists-attorney-189897Uninsured Motorists Attorney - Tacoma, WAhttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2018/03/03/state-agency-pays-3-1m-after-211937State Agency Pays $3.1M After Placing Girl With RapistVANCOUVER, Wash. The state of Washington is paying one family $3.1 million after their foster child was taken from them and placed with a convicted child rapist.
The Vancouver, Wash. family said the state knew about the man's conviction and still placed the child with him; the man was the girl's biological father. The girl's foster parents said they warned the state about his criminal past. They shared their story with KIRO 7.
The father, who we are only naming as Jared, admits the entire ordeal which has lasted for his now adopted daughter s entire life has been trying to say the least.
I blame myself a lot because I feel like I could have done something else but I couldn't, said Jared.
In 2009, Jared said he and his wife could only watch as the state of Washington removed their foster daughter and returned her to her biological father. (I am) pretty angry, the signs were there, the warnings were there and we'd cautioned them multiple times about i2018-03-03T12:11:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2018/03/03/state-agency-pays-3-1m-after-211937Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2018/02/14/writ-of-attachment-in-adult-211935Writ of Attachment in Adult Caregiver Abuse CaseAn unspeakable crime
The video is in black and white and slightly grainy. What s clear, however, is the figure of a person, lying motionless in bed in the corner of a small bedroom. Soon, a man, later identified as the 67-year-old caretaker and owner of an adult family home in King County, walks into frame, pushing a wheelchair. The man situates the chair at an angle next to the bed, then walks to the edge of the bed. He stands over the bed s occupant staring down, and then he quickly looks up and scans the entrance to the room. The caretaker looks down again, then places his bare hand under the bed sheet. Periodically, he looks back toward the door to make sure he is undisturbed.
After a minute with his hand under the bedsheet, the adult family home owner reaches around the figure and as he lifts, the video shows the figure in bed is that of an elderly woman. She s rail thin, with sunken cheeks, and her body seems locked in the fetal position. She is an 83-year-old resident of t2018-02-14T12:09:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2018/02/14/writ-of-attachment-in-adult-211935Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2018/01/23/man-sues-after-propane-torch-211933Man Sues After Propane Torch Engulfed Him In FlamesA Pierce County man says one minute he was trying to burn weeds in his yard --the next -- he was on fire himself. Now that man, who is also a Veteran, is suing the company behind this propane torch -- claiming it s not safe. The Greenwood Propane Torch is the subject of the lawsuit filed by the law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala for the plaintiff Brandon Austin. The torch s parent company Harbor Freight Tools is the target of the suit. The torch is readily available online for sale, and in stores. KIRO 7 s crew was able to purchase the torch at a Harbor Freight Tools store in Tacoma. Last August Brandon Austin used it to weed his garden, and his attorneys say that task went horribly wrong. Cole Douglas works for the PCVA law firm in Tacoma and says his firm s client had burns on his hands, arms and up to his neck when the propane torch malfunctioned, he heard Propane exit right near the handle and right then in a second flames erupted over his body. Douglas say Austin has s
2018-01-23T12:07:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2018/01/23/man-sues-after-propane-torch-211933Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2017/12/18/amtrak-train-crash-pierce-county-188189Amtrak Train Crash DuPont WashingtonSadly, on December 18, 2018 an Amtrak passenger train on its first trip on a new service route derailed near DuPont, Washington. This derailment occurred on an overpass over Interstate 5 spilling several train cars onto the roadway killing several people and injuring more. This train crash happened just miles from our office in Tacoma, WA. Unfortunately, this incident is familiar to the Amtrak passenger train derailment in Philadelphia which left 8 dead and 200 injured in 2015.
2017-12-18T15:58:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrueamtrak-attorney, dupont, washington, amtrak-train-crash-lawyers, train-crash-attorney/2017/12/18/amtrak-train-crash-pierce-county-188189Amtrak Train Crash Lawyers, DuPont Washingtonhttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2017/12/18/welcome-to-our-blog-188173Welcome to Our BlogWelcome to our Blog
2017-12-18T13:42:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2017/12/18/welcome-to-our-blog-188173Welcome to our Bloghttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2016/12/28/lawsuit-alleges-3rd-case-of-211931Lawsuit Alleges 3rd Case of Sexual Abuse by Same Special Needs StudentA lawsuit filed earlier this month alleges the Bethel School District failed to protect a female special needs student from a special needs classmate who sexually abused her in 2012 at Bethel High School.
The alleged abuser was involved in two abuse cases at his previous school district, Clover Park, according to Loren Cochran, attorney for the plaintiffs in the most recent suit.
The plaintiffs are named only by initials in court documents.
The first case occurred at Lochburn Middle School in Lakewood in 2011, when the boy then 13 led a special needs girl into a restroom and tried to rape her, according to records in the case.
Lakewood police investigated, but no criminal charges were filed.
The boy, described as developmentally disabled, was expelled and transferred to Hudtloff Middle School, where he was accused months later of sexually assaulting a boy.
A jury ordered the Clover Park School District to pay damages in the first case, and the district settled wit2016-12-28T12:05:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2016/12/28/lawsuit-alleges-3rd-case-of-211931Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2016/12/28/boy-accused-in-third-sexual-211929Boy Accused in Third Sexual Abuse CaseTacoma A lawsuit filed this month alleges the Bethel School District failed to protect a female special-needs student from a special-needs classmate who sexually abused her in 2012 at Bethel High School.
The alleged abuser was involved in two abuse cases at his previous school district, Clover Park, according to Loren Cochran, attorney for the plaintiffs in the most recent suit.
The plaintiffs are named only by initials in court documents.
The first case occurred at Lochburn Middle School in Lakewood in 2011, when the boy then 13 led a special needs girl into a restroom and tried to rape her, according to records in the case.
Lakewood police investigated, but no criminal charges were filed.
The boy, described as developmentally disabled, was expelled and transferred to Hudtloff Middle School, where he was accused months later of sexually assaulting a boy.
A jury ordered the Clover Park School District to pay damages in the first case, and the district settled wi2016-12-28T12:03:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2016/12/28/boy-accused-in-third-sexual-211929Personal Injury Attorney Tacomahttps://www.personalinjuryattorneytacomawa.com/blog/2009/11/11/voluntary-dismissal-211927Voluntary DismissalABA withdraws resolution seeking to spur federal, state and local governments into cutting off access to all criminal records.
2009-11-11T12:02:00-05:00Cochran Douglascole@cochrandouglas.comfalsefalsetrue/2009/11/11/voluntary-dismissal-211927Personal Injury Attorney Tacoma