Schram: Setting the stage for frivolous lawsuits
Man ignores Kitsap County Sheriffs Deputies orders to stop.
He races toward them wielding a machete.
Deputies are forced to shoot.
The man is killed.
That's basically what happened back in May, 2006.
A subsequent investigation determined the deputies did absolutely nothing wrong; that they acted in self-defense.
Undeterred, the man's family goes out and hires some money-grubbing lawyer who files a lawsuit.
Last week the family got a $217,500 settlement.
The Washington Counties Risk Pool decided it would be better to just pay the family off rather then go through a civil trial.
I don't know about you, but this infuriates me.
The Risk Pool's decision went against advice from the prosecutor, Kitsap County Commissioners and the sheriff's department.
They all thought the case should go to trial.
The risk pool, which provides liability coverage for counties in our state, thought it would be cheaper to just write a check.
Not only does that decision unfairly taint the actions forced on the sheriff's deputies, it sets the stage for future lawsuits just as frivolous as this one.
No wonder things are going to hell in a hand basket in our society.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.
He races toward them wielding a machete.
Deputies are forced to shoot.
The man is killed.
That's basically what happened back in May, 2006.
A subsequent investigation determined the deputies did absolutely nothing wrong; that they acted in self-defense.
Undeterred, the man's family goes out and hires some money-grubbing lawyer who files a lawsuit.
Last week the family got a $217,500 settlement.
The Washington Counties Risk Pool decided it would be better to just pay the family off rather then go through a civil trial.
I don't know about you, but this infuriates me.
The Risk Pool's decision went against advice from the prosecutor, Kitsap County Commissioners and the sheriff's department.
They all thought the case should go to trial.
The risk pool, which provides liability coverage for counties in our state, thought it would be cheaper to just write a check.
Not only does that decision unfairly taint the actions forced on the sheriff's deputies, it sets the stage for future lawsuits just as frivolous as this one.
No wonder things are going to hell in a hand basket in our society.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.