Makayla Messinger, who attends Canyon View Elementary in Kennewick, was walking east on 27th Avenue trying to cross Olympia Street. The pickup was westbound on 27th, turning south on Olympia when it hit her.

Witnesses told police the girl was in the middle of the crosswalk when she was hit and the pickup was speeding.

The suspect’s truck is described as a white late-model 1-ton dual wheel with a white canopy that’s either a Ford or a Dodge. It was last seen heading south on Olympia.

Messinger suffered a serious case of road rash and a horrible fright, but authorities say that otherwise she’s alright.

Kennewick police are now searching for that white pickup. If you have any information please call 509-586-8477 or go to tricitiescrimestoppers.org. Tips can also be sent by text message by writing “Text TIP 411″ plus the message to CRIMES (274637).

Hitting a schoolgirl on her way home from school and then just taking off is not going to bode well for this driver once they are caught. Luckily, more often than not, people cannot hide their cars and tips eventually come in that lead to their arrest.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit and run accident then it is important that you find an attorney experienced in personal injury lawsuits to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Call the Seattle car accident lawyersat Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

• Washington Law and Car Accidents
• Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
• Medical Care Costs and Personal Injury

The whole incident started on Sept. 22, 2008 when American Airlines Flight 268 (a Boeing 757) was flying nonstop from Seattle to New York and was forced to make an emergency landing at O’Hare Airport in Chicago where it skidded onto the grass next to the runway.

There were no physical injuries reported among the 190 passengers or seven crew members, and the aircraft had little damage beyond its landing gear and several blown tires.

So, you might be thinking that there’s not much to it. The plane was slightly damaged, but no people, so everyone should just switch planes and move on with their lives right? Well, its what happened prior to the plane landing that left Jewel Thomas, of Bellevue, with lasting psychological trauma.

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, passenger Thomas said she has suffered severe mental and emotional problems because of the incident and that it has forced her onto unpaid disability from her job at Microsoft.

Though an experienced world traveler, she said she is no longer able to fly and will sometimes “freak out” when she hears an airplane. She said that the psychological trauma is such that she missed her uncle’s funeral because she couldn’t fly to Arizona, and when a friend was dying, the friend wanted Thomas by her side, but she couldn’t fly, which hurt her down to the core.

So what happened up in the sky in 2008 that affected her so deeply?

In her lawsuit Thomas contended that shortly after takeoff, the flight crew received multiple warnings about problems with the plane’s electrical system. They promptly referred to the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) and followed the recommended procedure, switching four of the plane’s main electrical power buses to battery power. The QRH said the battery would provide power to the airplane for 30 minutes, although the power from the engines kept the battery operating longer.

Eventually, the lights in the airplane went off, the public address system did not work and the phone to the cockpit was out of order. Flight attendants had to pass notes under the cockpit door to communicate with the flight crew, according to the suit.

About 11 a.m., the plane was out of battery power, said the suit, and 20 minutes later the captain asked to divert to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Critical systems began to fail, the cabin public address system went silent and eventually all power to the passenger cabin went out, including the lights.

Sitting in the unlit cabin waiting to see if the plane would even make it to Chicago, people began to weep openly, pray, and brace for landing. Thomas joined many others in flipping on her cell phone, which she used to call her children to give her tearful last goodbye.

Running dark, the plane’s wheels fell hard on the runway and the craft spun into the grassy strip along side it.

Thomas’ lawsuit alleges that the flight crew should have diverted sooner to another airport before the battery ran out and key systems were crippled. It accused American Airlines and the plane’s two pilots of negligence and seeks unspecified damages.

The lawsuit claimed the captain was aware the main battery charger wasn’t functioning and of the battery’s 30-minute reserve, but the crew elected to continue the flight to New York.

Thomas’ lawyer said that a transcript of cockpit conversations “showed a real ignorance of flight systems,” and that they should have turned around and headed back to Seatac the moment they found out.

Her lawyer said that Thomas’ mental trauma was specifically due to human error.

“That day changed my whole life – it changed my whole world,” Thomas said, adding: “This is one problem I can’t solve.”

Andrea Huguely, a spokeswoman for the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline, said that the company had not seen the complaint and had no comment.

The lawsuit did not specify an amount, but since Thomas has been living for two years without income and unable to work, we may surmise that the number may start at those lost earnings and seek future lost earnings, plus compensation for pain and suffering.

If you or someone you know has been seriously traumatized in an aviation accident then you need skilled representation to assure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Call the law firm of Phillips Webster for your free consultation

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• Aviation and Airline Accidents
• Boat, Rail, and Airplane Accidents
• Understanding Pain and Suffering

Yakima police rushed to the scene of a car-pedestrian accident south of the intersection of South 3rd Avenue and West Spruce Street around 9:30 pm. There they found Francisco Pena, 47, lying on the ground with a serious head injury.

Police say Pena was hit by a vehicle while he was either standing in the center of the roadway or crossing the road. They confirm that they believe he had been drinking.

He was taken to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital for treatment of his head injuries and other minor injuries. A hospital spokesperson said today that Pena has been treated and released.

Police say the driver will not be cited at this time.

What is odd about this situation is why the victim was struck in the first place. Drunk or not, standing in the middle of the road or not, pedestrians still have the right of way. It’s a straight, wide road, with no obstructions, and even a street lamp. Did the law change? Is it now okay to hit pedestrians causing them serious personal injuries if they’ve been drinking?

If you or a loved one has been run over by a car you may be entitled to compensation to cover hospital costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future loses due to permanent disability. Call the Washington pedestrian accident attorneys at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

• Washington Law and Car Accidents
• Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
• Medical Care Costs and Personal Injury

The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) introduced Initiative 1082. The BIAW is a conservative organization who “fight against” government on behalf of private industry. They are specifically geared to improving the profit of the building industry through deregulation, much like what happened with the banking industry in the early 2000’s, which resulted in a global economic collapse.

Their intent with I-1082 is to privatize workers compensation insurance in Washington state. In theory this would bring down premiums due to competition, or that’s what many who promote privatization contend. Others who back this initiative say that this would allow employers more choice on their workers compensation plans and thus be able to better protect their workers.

With help of private donation from Washington businesses large and small, the BIAW spent about $500,000 to put the I-1082 on the ballot. This initiative was also largely backed by those who would reap the profits from it, the insurance companies. Liberty Mutual, the new corporate parent of Safeco, has given $300,000 to the campaign, a mere drop in the bucket compared to the expected profit to be had if the initiative passes.

Workers Compensation in Washington State

Workers compensation in Washington State was intended to protect both workers and employers. It is an agreement between workers and employers that the worker will waive their right to sue if the employer agrees to provide adequate compensation while the worker heals so that the worker’s family doesn’t starve and the worker can return to work as quickly as possible.

This is one of only four state run workers compensation insurance programs in the country. That may be what the BIAW means on their website as “regulation.” You see, what the BIAW and I-1082 neglects to point out is that L&I doesn’t stop employers from getting private insurance.

That right, industries are able to self-insure under supervision by L&I. The supervision is there because one of the biggest problems in the state that ends up costing tax payers millions of dollars is employers lagging on their insurance premium payments, in turn adversely affecting the worker. L&I usually reserves self insurance for large companies because it is easier to regulate and they are usually the only ones that benefit private insurance because they have a large enough account. Smaller employers would see little to no benefit from private insurance.

Labor officials argue that Washington’s system protects workers better than a private one by forsaking profits. Defenders also say the state has relatively moderate costs, ranking about midway nationally in one study when including “pension” costs for the permanently disabled.

“This system has its faults, but it works pretty well as a public system,” said Alex Fryer, spokesman for the No on 1082 campaign. “When you introduce the profit motive into a system like this, what we’ve seen in other states is that claims get denied and delayed for a long time.”

By privatizing workers compensation insurance it would shrink the government run insurance system, give them less funding to regulate employers, and eventually hamstring regulation all together. Once L&I goes away, then premiums rise to compensate for the demands of insurance company shareholders. It has happened time and time again with few to no exceptions.

How does this benefit employers? Over the long run, it doesn’t, but those lacking fiscal foresight or the desire to study historical economic trends seem to prefer ideology over sound economic choices. In short, the supporters of I-1082 prefer politics over math.

If you doubt the intent of the BIAW in destroying the Washington state L&I program then allow BIAW to speak for themselves when Tom McCabe wrote in a recent BIAW newsletter:

“I personally yearn for the day when the mammoth state Department of Labor and Industries is closed down, windows shuttered, with weeds growing all over its sprawling campus.”

Workers Compensation Lawyers

There is not doubt that employers need regulation in regards to workers compensation insurance. The instances of employer fraud outweigh employee fraud by millions of dollars annually. Some employers don’t seem to understand that workers compensation insurance may cut into their profit margins, but a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit could cost them their business.

The vast majority of employee claims are legitimate claims from being injured on the job. They help Washington employees recover by providing them up to 2/3 of their income. Working in tandem with health insurance providers, workers compensation is generally enough to help the worker get the care that they need and provide an environment where they can rest and heal in order to return to work as quickly as possible.

Workers compensation can be a complicated process for both the employee and their family. The process is almost always during a stressful time right after the worker has been injured or killed. Many families have found that it is easier to seek help during this period in order to be able to focus on their loved ones and still get the compensation they deserve.

The law firm of Phillips Webster has a team of legal professionals dedicated to seeking just compensation for workers injured on the job. Our workers compensation attorneys will look at your case for free and give you options on what you need to do to move forward. Call Phillips Webster now for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

• Washington Workers Compensation
• OSHA Safety Regulations
• Industrial Accidents

The accident happened at 3:15 p.m on Highway 303 near the road’s intersection with Brownsville Highway. The Washington State Patrol said it appears that two cars collided, forcing one of those cars into oncoming traffic, where it hit a third car head-on.

Police and Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue crews rushed to the scene and confirmed that one person had critical personal injuries and rescuers had to cut another person out of another car.

It is currently unknown the nature of their injuries and what hospital the people were taken to.

State troopers will remain on the scene to investigate the accident. Cars are moving north on Highway 303 using the center lane after earlier being diverted onto Brownsville Highway.

Our thoughts are with the injured people.

The rain visited the Northwest today for the first time in a while and this may have contributed to the accident as the oil rises out of the pavement and makes roads very slick. May people don’t think about the first rains after a long hot summer and how they can be just as slick as frozen pavement in spots. Please be careful driving this month.

Phillips Webster represents families of victims who have been injured or died in car accidents in Washington state. They are skilled attorneys in wrongful death lawsuits and personal injury lawsuits with years of experience that they will use to  assure the you get the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.

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• Personal Injury Settlements
• Filing a Personal Injury Case
• Seattle Car Accident Attorneys

Witnesses said that they were driving northbound on I-5 in a busy morning commute with rapid speeds around 9:45 am. A sedan driving in the fast lane at the same time suddenly swerved across all four lanes of the freeway, nearly colliding with cars along the way.

Once the sedan reached the shoulder, instead of stopping, the driver turned sharply and sped back across all four lanes and slammed perpendicularly into an Everett Transit bus traveling in the far left HOV lane, “like a dart,” witnesses said. The Sedan then got lodged under the bus and was dragged several feet as the bus driver calmly pulled over to the left shoulder.

Steffani Lillie, a spokeswoman for Everett Transit, said no passengers were on the bus, which was heading from the Everett Mall to the Everett Station to start a route. The crash occurred near the 75th Street overpass.

Witnesses credited the cool, calm actions of the Everett Transit driver. Lillie said the driver was seasoned but declined to name him.

The Everett police have not released details as to what made the driver drive so erratically or if there was a citation issued. They simply confirmed that there were no personal injuries in the bus accident.

This is a prime example of a large group of motorists being alert enough to stay calm, because a car swerving across the freeway twice could have easily caused a multiple car pileup. Not over reacting is essential in these situations because that is when potential accidents turn into real accidents with other cars around you.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious personal injury in a transit bus accident some of the best advice you can get is to seek legal council from a legal professional that is successful in bus accident litigation. Call Phillips Webster for a consultation.

Learn More About:

• School Bus Accidents
• Tour Bus Accidents
• Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

The officer was patrolling about 4:15 p.m. when he saw the man at the intersection of Howell Street and Boren Avenue. The man had a piece of wood that he was whittling it with a knife (whittling is carving wood with a sharp instrument).

A Seattle Police Department spokesperson said that the officer found this behavior peculiar so he stopped his car, exited his vehicle, and confronted the man. At that point, the spokesperson said the victim stood up and advanced toward the officer.

The officer gave the whittling man a loud command to stop and drop the knife, but apparently the man kept advancing, at which point the police officer shot him several times at close range.

Investigators did not say how many shots were fired, but witnesses in nearby buildings said that they heard between 3 and 5 shots. When they looked out of the window they told police that the victim definitely looked dead.

A second witness said that several bike officers arrived right away and the man received CPR, but he died at the scene.

There was a third witness who said he was familiar with the shooting victim because he often saw him asking for money on street corners between Stewart Street and Denny. The witness said that he saw the incident from the 1700 block of Boren Avenue (one block away, uphill from the scene). The man said he heard the officer tell the victim to stop, but claimed the man didn’t have a knife at the scene.

A Police spokesman said that the knife was recovered at the scene. The victim’s identity has not been released, pending an autopsy and family notification.

Seattle Municipal Code

This incident and the rules of the Seattle City Municipal Code may clash with a few simple rules. First off, the police didn’t reveal what kind of knife the man was using and how large it was. This is a crucial piece of information because it could be the difference between a justified police action and an excessive use of force resulting in the wrongful death of a man.

Seattle municipal code (SMC 12A.14.010) defines a dangerous knife as “any fixed-blade knife and any other knife having a blade more than three and one-half inches (3 1/2″) in length.”

The code goes on to say that a “’Fixed-blade knife’ means any knife, regardless of blade length, with a blade which is permanently open and does not fold, retract or slide into the handle of the knife.”

Seattle municipal code (SMC 12A.14.080) says that it is illegal to “Carry concealed or unconcealed on his or her person any dangerous knife, or carry concealed on his or her person any deadly weapon other than a firearm.”

Where the behavior of the officer may be justified is in Seattle municipal code (SMC 12A.14.075). That section states, “A person is guilty of unlawful use of weapons to intimidate another if he or she carries, exhibits, displays or draws a dangerous knife, any knife with a blade that is open for use or a deadly weapon other than a firearm in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another person or warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.”

Washington Wrongful Death Attorneys

The spokesperson for the Seattle Police Department did not elaborate on whether the man, though approaching, was using intimidating or threatening body language or verbal language. Even if the knife was considered above the allowable knife length or was a fixed blade, was the victim wielding it in a threatening manner that constituted the officer to discharge his weapon?

The number of shots fired also comes into question. A single shot is deadly. Several gunshots are certain to kill any normal individual. The actions of the officer from initial reports sounds as if they killed the victim instantly or used a fatal amount of force. Shooting to either wound or stop the individual may have been enough to subdue the individual.

Then there is the question of whether whittling in the city is illegal and why an activity that has been done by humans since the invention of the first stone tool 1.6 million years ago has now all of a sudden become “peculiar” behavior.

There are many questions surrounding this incident. But it may just add another brick to the wall separating the police from the citizenry that, through stories like this that seem to be coming more prevalent in the Seattle area, could result in a backlash that might result in more untimely deaths of police officer like those that died last year at the hands of crazed vigilantes. We can only hope that everyone, citizens and law enforcement, can keep level heads and lines of communication open.

Update 9-1-10: Police confirmed in a press conference on Wednesday that the blade was 3 inches long. They did not specify whether it was a fixed blade knife. They said that the officer shot the victim four times from 9 feet away.

Update 9-1-10: The victim has bee identified as John T. Williams, a member of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth first nations in British Columbia. There was confirmation that the knife he was holding was not a fixed blade knife and that he often used it to carve wood as a regular past time. He was usually homeless and inebriated. He has a series of misdemeanors mostly related to drinking.

If you or someone you know has been personally injured or wrongfully killed by the policies of a municipal, county, state, or corporate policy or action it is imperative that you have legal representation that can protect your best interest and seek the compensation you deserve. Call the wrongful death attorneys at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

• Elements of a Wrongful Death Case
• Time Limitations and Restrictions in Wrongful Death Cases
• Financial Entitlements in Wrongful Death Cases

The medical community and patients alike received Accutane with open arms. The manufacturer of the drug, Switzerland based Roche-Hoffman, began to make large profits beginning in the millions per year and ending in the billions per year. Unfortunately, as the profits rose, so did the reports of serious side effects.

The largest concern for the FDA were birth defects. This prompted the government agency to launch one of the most comprehensive monitoring systems for any drug ever distributed in the United States. It is called the iPledge program requiring patients to pledge to use birth control during the 4 to 6 month treatment and to come in monthly for blood and pregnancy tests. But the drug causing birth defects wasn’t Accutane’s only serious side effect.

Accutane Side Effects

Accutane was on the market for nearly 15 years before anyone in the FDA started taking the reports of the psychological effects seriously. Cystic acne is especially prevalent in teenagers and young adults. The reports of suicides amongst this group were slow to come in, probably because physicians and parents initially made no causal link between suicide and the acne drug.

It was only until a U.S. Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI) lost his son to suicide that the FDA reacted. The lawmaker called for hearings in 2002 and the FDA has since required that “thoughts of suicide” be added to the side effect list. And as slow as the FDA was with the suicide side effect, so they are with perhaps the most prevalent side effects that Roche has been fighting the hardest against in court; Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohns Disease.

Accutane and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This ailment can result in uncomfortable and, at times, acute pain in the abdomen with seemeingly no apparent dietary trigger. The small and large intestine become inflamed and tender during periods of digestion. The lining of the intestine can perforate as a result can cause rectal bleeding, infection, and may lead to an increased chance of contracting colon cancer.

Accutane and Ulcerative Colitis

This is a more severe type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in which the patient’s colon and upper digestive tract become enflamed, again with no dietary trigger. The inflammation is such that it causes ulcers (soars) to form in the lining of the bowel causing bleeding and doubling abdominal pain. If not properly treated Ulcerative Colitis can cause death.

Accutane and Crohn’s Disease

Crohns Disease is the most severe types of IBD. The reason for this is that the disease covers the whole gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus. It manifests itself as inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition. Crohn’s disease can be both painful and debilitating and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications.

Other Accutane Side Effects Include -

• Dryness of the skin and mucous membranes
• Photophobia
• Muscle and joint pain
• Insomnia
• Lethargy
• Pseudotumor cerebri
• Visual disturbances
• Hearing deficiencies
• Headache
• Nausea
• Malaise and drowsiness
• Amnesia
• Hallucinations
• Behavioral disorders
• Seizures
• Psychosis
• Schizophrenia
• Depression
• Suicide ideation

Defective Drug Lawyers in WA Helping Victims of Accutane

Nearly 13 million people have taken Accutane in the last 28 years. It was once Roche’s second-biggest selling drug with annual sales of nearly $3 billion. But, like all drugs, patents are only for 20 years and in 2002 Roche lost patent protection. The company continued to sell the drug alongside generic competitors and were still able to gather a large portion of the market. Annual sales were as high as $1.7 billion before thousands of lawsuits inspired them to pull their version of Accutane from the United States market in 2009.

But the company has bee fighting tooth and nail against the thousands of patients who have contracted IBD, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohns Disease. The reason is that they won’t admit that there is a connection that is literally ruining people’s lives and making them wish that they had just lived with cystic acne.

The pain and suffering that comes with IBD, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohns Disease is debilitating and acute. It can lead to severe emotional consequences such as depression and thoughts of suicide. This can also affect families and relationships. What may have been once an active and relatively fulfilling lifestyle is soon reduced to a life wrought with pain and medical issues that force the victim to isolate themselves both physically and emotionally.

You do not have to suffer. Phillips Webster is a law firm that is experienced in Defective Drug Lawsuits with the skill to get you or your suffering loved one the compensation you deserve. So, if you or your loved one have been effected by Accutane side effects, call the Accutane side effects attorneys at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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• Accutane Lawsuits
• Defective Drugs
• Compensation for Defective Drugs

The Washington State Patrol reported a multi-car accident on Interstate 5 near 41st street SE in Everett that snarled traffic for hours even after it was cleared.

The details have not been released, but the State Troopers arrested a man who was driving one of at least five vehicles involved in the car crash. The driver is being investigated for DUI as the possible cause of the accident.

The man was taken to Providence Regional Medical Center’s Colby campus for treatment of personal injuries.

The Washington State Patrol did not reveal the extent of the other people injured in the accident.

The wreck at 3:05 p.m. initially closed down all lanes of the freeway, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. An hour later, only one lane was shut down.

If there were serious injuries the DUI suspect could be charged with vehicular assault, which is a completely different thing all together from a normal DUI charge. Depending on the extent of injuries and the circumstances it could lead to a year or more in jail.

Phillips Webster represents victims rights in DUI accidents. If you or a loved one sustain serious personal injuries caused by a drunk driver then it is imperative that you find a good lawyer with a proven track record of success in personal injury litigation. Call Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

• Types of Injuries Sustained in a Car Accident
• Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
• Personal Injury Settlements

The Washington State Patrol says 29-year-old Jason McDowell was traveling northbound on Highway 2 near Bear Lake Park in his 1987 Subaru. It is unknown why he needed to turn around heading south, but during the maneuver he turned straight into the path of an oncoming SUV.

Derris Casselman, 68, and his passenger, 66-year-old Arlene Casselman, were traveling southbound in their large SUV, when they collided with the Subaru head-on, reducing the smaller car into mangled mess of metal that bounced off the SUV to the grassy shoulder and came to a stop.

The patrol responded to several calls from other drivers. When they arrived, they examined the wreckage and pronounced McDowell dead at the scene.

The Casselmans were rushed to Sacred Heart Hospital where they are both listed in critical condition with serious personal injuries.

Washington State Patrol does not believe drugs or alcohol were factors and they are still investigating the crash.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased gentleman. It is our hope that the Casselmans make a swift and full recovery.

Head-on collisions used to be the worst kinds of car accidents with a very high fatality rate and leaving millions of people with serious knee injuries and head injuries. Since the introduction and subsequent requirement of shoulder strap seat belts and driver side air bags along with structural modifications by car manufacturers, that fatality rate has plummeted. Unfortunately for Mr. McDowell, the ’87 Subaru was built before airbags were standard.

If you or someone you know have sustained serious personal injuries in a car accident then you need experienced counsel to protect your interests with the insurance companies and health care providers. Call the Seattle car accident attorneys at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

Learn More About:

• Types of Injuries Sustained in a Car Accident
• Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
• Personal Injury Settlements