Seasons

by John L. Messina

We in Western Washington do not have severe seasonal differences.  We do, however, notice distinct changes during every turn of the calendar.  We have now passed from the warmth of Summer to the brisk chill of Autumn and are bracing for the onset of “the rains” and the long, dreary Winter.  We will then greet the new year and look forward to new life in the Spring with the cycle of existence repeating itself. 

Each season has its good qualities.  Autumn has football, the World Series, a new school year, Fall colors, Thanksgiving, and the anticipation of the major holidays.  For us at MBC it is the beginning of our trial season.  We are presently in full swing preparing many interesting trials scheduled in the next several months.

These cases involve motor vehicle collisions, a drowning and near drowning, an electrocution, flaws in the design or maintenance of highways, negligent supervision of people on “parole,” dangerous products and drugs, medical negligence, construction site injuries, and others.

In a way handling cases replicates the cycle of the seasons.  A life-changing loss is like the cold and dark of Winter.  Then there is the season of hope, Spring:  People come to us for help and hope and we try to assist them into seeing that the law can provide a better life.  When their cases are completed and they have received help, they often feel like they are basking in the sun of Summer.  Then like the Autumn, they are reminded that ”summer” is over and they must live with their disabilities and that no amount of money will bring them back to the persons they were before that Winter day.”

Fatal Shooting in Downtown Seattle

A 31‑year‑old man was fatally shot yesterday afternoon in downtown Seattle.  The man was pronounced dead at Harborview Medical Center. According to a witness, he had been shot in the head..  A suspect has been arrested by the Seattle police department. The suspect, a 27-year-old Lynnwood man, was under the supervision of the state for second‑degree assault, first‑degree burglary, and three counts of unlawful imprisonment according to a spokesman for the Department of Corrections.

It is up to the Department of Corrections, and any law enforcement agency, to carefully monitor criminals under their control.  If they fail, the agency could be held responsible for violence committed by these criminals, like the shooting in Seattle.  We at MBC have successfully handled many such cases. 

 Here is the link to the story in the Seattle Times.