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HIGHLIGHTS
- Pam Okano successfully handled an appeal with two other law firms. A ground services handler was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident at an airport. A jury apportioned 25% fault to the Port, 0.2% to plaintiff, and the remainder to four nondefendant airlines that had contracted with plaintiff’s employer for ground handling services. Consequently, the Port was liable for $10 million of plaintiff’s $40 million in damages. The Washington Court of Appeals reversed, holding the Port vicariously liable for the airlines and thus for 100% of the damages. Pam and her co-counsel persuaded the Washington Supreme Court to reverse the Court of Appeals. The Court ruled that the Port was not vicariously liable for the airlines’ failure to ensure a safe workplace, thereby restoring the trial court’s judgment that the Port was liable for only $10 million of plaintiff’s $40 million damages. Afoa v. Port of Seattle, 191 Wn.2d 110, 421 P.3d 903 (2018). (Published Opinion)
PUBLICATIONS
- The Spring 2016 issue of the Washington Insurance Law Letter is available.
- A Weighty Issue 2016 issue of the Washington Insurance Law Letter is available.
