Appellate Wins
Plemmons v. Pierce County, 134 Wn. App. 449, 140 P.3d 601 (2006) - Identity theft victim who was arrested for crime she did not commit was illegally searched at jail. She obtained some justice by leading and winning a class action case for improper searches at the jail. Pierce County paid a substantial sum to the victim and to others who were also improperly searched.
Wharf v. Burlington Northern, 60 F.3rd 631 (9th Cir. 1995) - Victory by Fred at trial for railroad employee who injured his finger, won a substantial verdict but then was fired by his employer, the railroad. Court allowed a new trial and Plaintiff obtained a big win due to BN's misconduct. The case ultimately settled for nearly five times the original jury verdict, plus a railroad retirement disability pension.
Chambers-Castanes v. King County, 100 Wn.2d 275, 669 P.2d 451, 39 A.L.R. 4th 671 (1983) - Major victory allowing individuals to bring cases against governments who break promises to come to the aid of crime victims.
Verdicts and Settlements
Fred has handled hundreds of successful personal injury cases. Some highlights include:
- Abasheikh vs. State, King County, et al. This complex case against governmental & corporate defendants resulted in a 4.5 million dollar settlement against King County for failure to protect a young man from a brutal assault by juveniles delinquents. A team of lawyers was involved; Fred had primary responsibility for the case against King County, which paid over 90% of the total recovery of 4.8+ million dollars.
- Luu, as Guardian for Nguyen. This auto collision wrongful death case resulted in a $700,000 settlement for the family of a middle aged immigrant who hoped to become a licensed practical nurse.
- Wharf v. Burlington Northern Railroad. This case was originally tried to a jury and resulted in a $90,000 verdict for an injured tendon in one of Lonnie's left fingers. The railroad's appeal backfired and the case later settled for a figure in excess of $400,000, plus a Railroad Retirement Disability.
- Brecht vs. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. Mike Brecht suffered an occupational injury - nerve damage in the ankles caused by work with vibrating equipment. The case also settled for over $400,000 and Mr. Brecht also received his additional Railroad Retirement Disability.
- Craig K. V. G. and M. This case was tried in 2011, with attorney Matthew Metz. Matthew asked Fred to assist, as the trail date approached. Craig K was in two motor vehicle collisions, one in December 2006 and the other in March 2009. Both were rear end collisions. The two cases were consolidated. The Defendent in the first collision had slowed to about 10 or 15 miles per houe at the time of impact. The second driver claimed she was just rolling at 1 or 2 mph. Defendant disputed whether Craig, or even his van, suffered damage. The first case settled on the Friday before trail and the second case went to trail and a jury verdict of $113,000. The total recovery was $274,000.
- Alley-Barnes vs. Seattle, et al. This police beating and false arrest of a young man who questioned a police officer about a "littering investigation." The case was the largest Seattle Police settlement ever in an individual case that involved no death or disabling bodily injury: $185,000. The case also led to major reforms as recommended by the Carroll Commission to Mayor Nickels in 2007.
Fred has also tried and settled hundreds of other cases involving auto collisions, railroad accidents, premises liability (slips & falls), medical malpractice and product liability for people with injuries such as broken legs, herniated discs, shoulder injuries such as torn rotator cuffs and soft tissue injuries.
