Verdict . News

Nov 6, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court denied Tim Eyman's writ of mandamus against Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Washington Supreme Court Denies Tim Eyman's Referendum Challenge

The Washington State Supreme Court denied activist Tim Eyman's petition for a writ of mandamus against Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, ruling that the Secretary has no duty to process referendums on legislation constitutionally exempt from referendum challenges.

•Court ruled Secretary has no duty to process referendums on constitutionally exempt legislation

Nov 6, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court addressed whether COVID-19 infection qualifies as occupational disease for traveling flight attendant

Washington Supreme Court Rules on Flight Attendant COVID Workers' Comp Case

The Washington State Supreme Court issued a ruling in *Azorit-Wortham v. Department of Labor & Industries*, addressing whether a flight attendant's COVID-19 infection contracted in March 2020 qualifies as an occupational disease under state workers' compensation law. The case involves Alaska Airlines employee Lisa Azorit-Wortham's claim for benefits under Washington's Industrial Insurance Act.

•Trial court applied traveling employee doctrine to occupational disease claims, jury ruled for worker

Oct 30, 2025•4 min read

•Luna was convicted of intentional but not premeditated murder after fatally stabbing a teen who initiated a fight at Luna's home

Washington Supreme Court Reviews Teen Murder Case Involving Social Media

The Washington Supreme Court issued an opinion in State v. Luna, examining the murder conviction of teenager Lola Felipa Luna who fatally stabbed another teen with a pocketknife during a fight. The case addresses complex evidentiary issues involving social media posts and police interrogation of minors in self-defense claims.

•The case involved extensive social media evidence used by both prosecution and defense to establish mental state and self-defense claims

Oct 30, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court partially reversed Court of Appeals decision that had ordered new trial in PCB exposure case

Washington Supreme Court Reverses Appeals Decision in PCB Exposure Case

The Washington Supreme Court partially reversed a Court of Appeals decision in a product liability case where three public school teachers won damages against Pharmacia LLC for PCB exposure-related illnesses. The high court found errors in the appeals court's application of choice of law principles in the complex litigation.

•Three teachers won jury verdict against Pharmacia LLC for health problems from PCB-contaminated school buildings

Oct 9, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court reviewed case of first impression on tribal sovereign immunity in property disputes

Washington Supreme Court Addresses Tribal Immunity in Property Dispute

The Washington Supreme Court issued an en banc ruling in Flying T Ranch, Inc. v. Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, examining whether tribal sovereign immunity applies when a federally recognized tribe purchases nonreservation land claimed by a corporation through adverse possession.

•Flying T Ranch claimed adverse possession of land later purchased by federally recognized Stillaguamish Tribe

Oct 9, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals decision denying CR 60(b)(11) relief

Washington Supreme Court Reverses on Civil Rule 60(b)(11) Relief Standards

The Washington Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision and granted extraordinary relief under Civil Rule 60(b)(11) in *Luv v. West Coast Servicing, Inc.*, ruling that a series of legal mistakes and trial court errors justified relief from judgment. The en banc decision, filed October 9, 2025, clarifies when parties can seek relief from final judgments under the state's civil rules.

•Trial court's erroneous application of law, combined with other legal mistakes, justified extraordinary relief from judgment

Sep 25, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court unanimously overturned 1986 mandatory life sentence for crime committed at age 20

Washington Supreme Court Overturns 1986 Mandatory Life Sentence

The Washington Supreme Court unanimously ruled that John H. Schoenhals' mandatory life sentence without parole for aggravated first degree murder committed at age 20 in 1986 is unconstitutional. The court granted his personal restraint petition after nearly four decades in prison.

•Court granted personal restraint petition after 39 years, finding constitutional violation

Sep 11, 2025•4 min read

•The Washington Supreme Court ruled that dual convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and felony harassment from the same gun threat incident do not violate double jeopardy

Washington Supreme Court Rejects Double Jeopardy Challenge in Gun Threat Case

The Washington Supreme Court ruled that Owen Gale Ray's dual convictions for second-degree assault with a deadly weapon and felony harassment do not violate double jeopardy protections, despite both charges stemming from the same incident where he threatened his wife with a gun.

•The court applied the 'same elements test,' finding that while both charges arose from identical conduct, they require proof of different legal elements

Sep 4, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court reviews interpretation of state's Equal Pay and Opportunities Act requiring wage disclosure in job postings

Washington Supreme Court Rules on Pay Transparency Law in Total Wine Case

The Washington Supreme Court issued an opinion addressing the state's Equal Pay and Opportunities Act requirements for job posting disclosures in a class action case against Total Wine & More. The case involves interpretation of wage transparency requirements that took effect in 2023.

•Class action targets Total Wine & More for alleged violations of 2023 pay transparency requirements