Afoa v. Port of Seattle $40 million
Jan 01, 2013OUTCOME: Washington Supreme Court Case
Mr. Bishop's client, Brandon Afoa was paralyzed while working as a ramp agent at the Port of Seattle/SeaTac airport.Mr. Afoa brought suit against the Port of Seattle in Superior Court where he lost on ... summary judgment. No jury was empanelled, and the first Superior court judge summarily dismissed the case without written explanation. The case then proceeded through Division I Appeals, and then on to the Washington Supreme Court where Brandon Afoa won in a landmark decision that clarifies the potential liability of landowners in Washington State. The case was hotly contested by the Port of Seattle, as well as several notable amici for the Port, including lobbyist Airport Council International (ACI). See WA Supreme Court # 85784-9. The Supreme Court decision provides the most clarified legal analysis to date in Washington State on how to proceed with the potential liability of jobsite owners in dangerous multi-employer industrial workplace environments. In particular, the Supreme Court decision resolves the prolonged struggle between two other Supreme Court cases which have long-vexed jurists and litigants alike. They are: Kamla v. Space Needle, and Kinney v. Space Needle. This case has been remanded from the Supreme Court to the Superior court. A new Superior court judge, Hon. Ramseyer now presides. A jury may now factually determine if the Port retained the right to control safety at Seatac Airport, and the damages owed to the plaintiff if so. [On March 31, 2015, a King County jury returned a verdict of $40 Million Dollars to Mr. Bishop's client, Brandon Afoa]
