Case Results

$3 M

Recovery

Accident caused by dangerous roadway

$2.125 M

RECOVERY

Recovered for two victims of a head-on collision with a commercial armored truck

$2 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from driver’s insurance for passenger injury caused by driver over-correcting

$1.5 M

RECOVERY

Recovered for dentist suffering wrist injuries in auto collision

$1.3 M

Recovery

recovery against West Richland bar for alcohol overservice resulting in collision causing injuries

$1.15 M

RECOVERY

Recovered on behalf of victims of a head-on collision caused by drunk driver

$1 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from a tavern for victims of a drunk driver who was overserved

$800,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for child run over by trailer, sustaining head injury

$750,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from uninsured motorist insurance policy for injuries caused by uninsured driver

$705,000

Recovery

recovery for victim of a drunk driver, causing multiple knee surgeries

$698,000

RECOVERY

Arbitration award for collision injuries after an offer of only $17,500 from insurance company

$525,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from truck driver’s insurance for causing collision injuring innocent driver

$464,000

RECOVERY

Arbitration award against auto insurance company after it refused to offer a single dollar

$380,000

Recovery

recovery for injuries caused by a high speed head on collision caused by a wrong-way driver

$250,000

Recovery

$240,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for injury caused by semi truck striking car when changing lanes

$225,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for injury caused by rear-end collision; case taken to tribal court

$200,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from uninsured motorist insurance policy for injuries caused by uninsured driver

$145,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for foreman of construction company injured in rear-end collision

$125,000

Recovery

recovery for pedestrian hit by car

$125,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from driver’s insurance for injury to passenger caused when driver rolled vehicle

$100,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from common carrier for injuries sustained after woman’s wheelchair was improperly secured in van

$71,650

Recovery

recovery for bicyclist hit by car

$1.8 M

RECOVERY

Recovered for victim suffering spinal cord injury at a worksite

$1.3 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from utility company and fruit warehouse for construction worker injured by high voltage line

$300,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for construction worker who sustained head injury

$145,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for foreman of construction company injured in rear-end collision

$3.5 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from large utility company in wrongful death claim

$2.125 M

RECOVERY

Recovered for two victims of a head-on collision with a commercial armored truck

$1.8 M

RECOVERY

Recovered for victim suffering spinal cord injury at a worksite

$1.5 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from utility company that failed to consider traffic safety in utility pole construction

$1.3 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from utility company and fruit warehouse for construction worker injured by high voltage line

$750,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for death in rear-end collision caused by truck driver

$600,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from logging company for failure to train employee resulting in death

$300,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from utility company after truck backs into driver causing injuries

$250,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from foster care agency for negligent placement of child molester in home

$152,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for worker injured by conveyor belt not properly guarded

$30 M

RECOVERY

Recovered on behalf of Native American children abused by Catholic Priests

$12 M

RECOVERY

Confidential settlement; largest medical malpractice settlement in Eastern WA

$6.55 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from DSHS/CPS for negligently leaving children in an abusive home

$6.4 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from WA Dept. of Corrections for negligent supervision of a criminal

$2.125 M

RECOVERY

Recovered for two victims of a head-on collision with a commercial armored truck

$1.5 M

RECOVERY

Recovered for dentist suffering wrist injuries in auto collision

$1.15 M

RECOVERY

Recovered on behalf of victims of a head-on collision caused by drunk driver

$1 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from a tavern for victims of a drunk driver who was overserved

$6.55 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from DSHS/CPS for negligently leaving children in an abusive home

$6.4 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from WA Dept. of Corrections for negligent supervision of a criminal

$2 M

Recovery

recovered from DSHS/CPS for negligently placing and leaving a child in a home with a child molestor

$2 M

Recovery

recovered from DSHS/CPS for negligently placing and leaving a child in a home with a child molestor

$1.15 M

RECOVERY

Recovered on behalf of victims of a head-on collision caused by drunk driver

$357,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for victim of excessive force by a police officer

$350,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for student sexually assaulted at a boarding school

$325,000

Recovery

recovery for pedestrian hit by school bus

$300,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from federal government for failure to monitor logging operations

$275,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from city for injuries caused by dangerous water meter well

$135,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from school for negligent supervision, resulting in student assaulted at recess

$100,000

Recovery

ecovery for injuries sustained on public transit when wheelchair was not properly secured

$100,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from common carrier for injuries sustained after woman’s wheelchair was improperly secured in van

$500,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from homeowner’s insurance for pool injury

$464,000

RECOVERY

Arbitration award against auto insurance company after it refused to offer a single dollar

$375,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from homeowner’s insurance company for failure to promptly & fairly pay on fire loss claim

$350,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from insurance company for bad faith refusal to pay spouse for loss of husband

$300,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for child injured by another child in neighborhood

$12 M

RECOVERY

Confidential settlement; largest medical malpractice settlement in Eastern WA

$2.5 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from a hospital for failure to diagnose spinal infection

$625,000

Recovery

recovery for nerve injury caused by dropped scalpel

$600,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from medical professionals for birth trauma

$500,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from hospital and physician for negligent medication overdose of elderly patient

$425,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from doctors for failure to diagnose dislocated hip on x-ray

$350,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from ER physician for misreading CT scan

$250,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from nursing home for failure to implement fall plan, resulting in death

$180,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from nursing home for failure to implement fall plan, resulting in injury

$100,000

Recovery

recovery against pharmacy for prescription error

$100,000

Recovery

recovery for intrauterine fetal demise

$300,000

Recovery

Recovery for death caused by nursing home negligence

$300,000

Recovery

Recovery for death caused by nursing home negligence

$1.15 M

RECOVERY

Recovered on behalf of victims of a head-on collision caused by drunk driver

$380,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for injuries man sustained after falling into delivery bay unprotected by railing

$300,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for child suffering head injury after falling from opening in stairway

$275,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from city for injuries caused by dangerous water meter well

$230,000

Recovery

recovery for injuries sustained on a Pasco farm when a UTV flipped

$152,500

Recovery

Recovery for injuries sustained on a Pasco farm when a UTV flipped

$100,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from duplex after woman sustained electrical shock

$175,000

Recovery

recovery for infant injured by defective car seat

$100 M

Recovery

Recovered from the Catholic Diocese to settle sex abuse claims

$121.5 M

Recovery

Recovered from the New Mexico archdiocese to settle sex abuse claims

$30 M

RECOVERY

Recovered on behalf of Native American children abused by Catholic Priests

$6.55 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from DSHS/CPS for negligently leaving children in an abusive home

$350,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for student sexually assaulted at a boarding school

$325,000

Recovery

recovery for boy abused by neighbor

$250,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from foster care agency for negligent placement of child molester in home

$3.5 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from large utility company in wrongful death claim

$1.5 M

RECOVERY

Recovered from utility company that failed to consider traffic safety in utility pole construction

$1.2 M

RECOVERY

Recovered for death in fire caused by a faulty heater

$1.15 M

RECOVERY

Recovered on behalf of victims of a head-on collision caused by drunk driver

$750,000

RECOVERY

Recovered for death in rear-end collision caused by truck driver

$600,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from logging company for failure to train employee resulting in death

$250,000

RECOVERY

Recovered from psychiatric hospital for patient’s escape resulting in death

In 2011 Tamaki Law helped secure the largest settlement with a religious order in history: $166.7 million. The Society of Jesus, Oregon Province (also known as the Northwest Jesuits), a religious order within the Catholic Church, agreed to pay $166.7 million to more than 500 victims for sexual abuse committed by Jesuits in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Tamaki Law served as co-lead counsel in this case, which began with 21 clients filing lawsuits in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington, and resulted in approximately 500 abuse survivors filing claims after the Jesuits filed for bankruptcy protection.As part of the settlement, Tamaki Law insisted that the Jesuits issue written apologies to all of the victims, and post a list of credibly accused priests on the Jesuits’ website, as part of the many non-monetary conditions of the settlement. After the case concluded, T.B., a Tamaki Law client who lived for decades trying to bury the horrific memories of her childhood abuse, but who courageously came forward to tell her story in the case against the Jesuits, said “I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Thank you for helping me through this case, and bringing peace to my life.” Tamaki Law firmly believes that by holding institutions accountable for allowing children to be abused, children will be safer in the future.

6.55 M READ MORE

DSHS’ NEGLIGENT INVESTIGATION OF CHILD ABUSE

On the eve of trial, Tamaki Law reached settlement with DSHS in the amount of $6.55 million for six clients who were sexually and physically abused as children in a home that DSHS knew was abusive and unsafe. In their investigation of the case, Tamaki Law discovered over 30 complaints, putting DSHS on notice of the physical and sexual abuse that was occurring in the children’s home. Despite these complaints, CPS left the defenseless children in the abusive home. Under Washington law, the Department of Social and Health Services/Child Protective Services is required to investigate allegations of sexual abuse: Upon receipt of a report concerning the possible occurrence of abuse or neglect, it shall be the duty of the law enforcement agency or the department of social and health services to investigate and provide the protective services section with a report in accordance with chapter 74.13 RCW, and where necessary to refer such report to the court. RCW 26.44.050 (1987). It is from this statute that Washington’s Supreme Court has held that a cause of action for negligent investigation exists. Bennett v. Hardy, 113 Wash.2d 912, 920 (1990). However, “the class of persons who may sue for negligent investigation is limited to those specifically mentioned in RCW 26.44.050, namely, parents, custodians, and guardians, and the child or children themselves.” Bennett at 704-705. Further, the Washington courts have recognized that “this statute creates an actionable duty that flows from DSHS to both children and parents who are harmed by DSHS negligence that results in…allowing a child to remain in an abusive home.” M.W. v. Dep’t of Soc. & Health Servs., 149 Wash.2d 589, 597-98 (2003).In the lawsuit, Tamaki Law discovered that DSHS destroyed important records pertaining to their clients and the complaints that were made to CPS. Fortunately, many medical and counseling records remained, documenting the time-span and severity of abuse. Through these medical records and a portion of electronic records kept by CPS, the Tamaki Law team was able to expose CPS’ failures to follow up on the complaints they received and/or accurately assess the severity of the complaints and take action.The settlement obtained by Tamaki Law has helped their six clients cope and deal with the aftermath of the abuse they suffered, and provide the means to receive the medical care they need.

Tamaki Law obtained a $6.4 million settlement from the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) on behalf of victims of a violent crime spree committed by serial rapist and murderer Michael “Cowboy Mike” Braae. The lawsuits filed against the DOC alleged that the DOC negligently supervised Michael Braae when he was on parole for a variety of violent criminal convictions. Under Washington law, the Department of Corrections has a duty to properly and carefully parolees and take steps to ensure that they are not endangering the public by continuing to commit violent crimes. In its investigation of the DOC’s supervision of Braae, Tamaki Law discovered that the DOC misclassified Braae as a low risk offender when in fact he should have been classified as a higher risk offender, which would have resulted in closer supervision. Because of this misclassification, the DOC failed to administer any level of supervision, which allowed Braae to use drugs and alcohol, and commit violent crimes all over the country for nearly a decade.In addition to helping the families of the victims, Tamaki Law’s litigation of these cases helped expose the negligence of the DOC and ensure that future changes in the DOC’s procedures were made to help protect other innocent people.