If you’ve been harmed or a loved one killed by an act of violence or other criminal action, you want to see the person responsible punished by the criminal justice system. However, that system doesn’t always provide the justice victims are seeking. Victims and their...
Acclaimed Litigators For
Catastrophic Injuries
Victims of Violent Crime
Criminal restitution has its limits
Like other states, Washington allows criminal courts to order defendants to compensate the victims of their crimes. The court can require the defendant to pay restitution for damages the defendant caused. A victim or the family may be able to recover some of their...
Compromised security can invite attack
Last month, a woman in our neighboring state of Oregon was accosted and attacked outside of the Washington Square Mall in Tigard. As she was making her way to her vehicle shortly after 6 p.m., an unknown male lunged at her and pressed her into a parked vehicle and...
When third parties are liable for crime victims’ harm
In addition to the offender, other parties may be legally responsible for harm to the approximately 19 million Americans crime victims in this country each year. Schools, hotels, governments and other entities and individuals may be liable in crime victim litigation...
Victims of federal crimes have rights
In addition to harming victims by violating Washington state and local laws, criminals can hurt victims by committing federal criminal offenses. While federal crime victims may seek compensation through crime victim litigation, they also have rights and protections...
Hotels and colleges are responsible for security
Like other states, Washington law holds hotels, colleges and other properties responsible for their security measures. In other words, depending on the circumstances a crime victim who gets attacked on another person’s property, including a hotel or campus, can seek...
Child allegedly sexually assaulted; man arrested and charged
Any allegation of sexual assault must be taken seriously in Washington State, but these crimes are especially troubling when the victim is a child. People who take advantage of a situation in which they are caring for children or who go so far as to seek out a random...
Crime victims’ compensation program for sexual assault victims
Recently, this blog covered the basics of the Washington Crime Victims Compensation Program. That post was an overview, and this post will focus on how the WCVCP specifically helps sexual assault victims. Washington Crime Victims Compensation Program overview Those in...
Crime victims face many challenges
Crime victims can undergo a traumatic experience. Harm may involve physical, emotional and mental effects that can last very briefly, be delayed or persist. One goal of crime victim litigation is seeking compensation to help deal with these problems. Possible trauma...
Basics of the Washington Crime Victims Compensation Program
If you have been the victim of a crime in Washington, you may have the right to claim compensation from the Crime Victims Compensation Program. This program provides a maximum benefit of $190,000, including medical benefits if you don’t have other insurance. The...