Enduris has got your back – sometimes in ways members may not even realize. We are constantly looking for opportunities to reduce risk and liability for our members.
During the 2023-2024 legislative session in Olympia, we actively supported and opposed bills that would impact members’ liability. For example, opposing Senate Bill 5059 (which did not pass) avoided penalizing public entities millions of dollars in unnecessary interest fees and delays in court cases. Supporting House Bill 2088 (which did pass) will extend liability protections for responders dispatched from mobile rapid response and community-based crisis teams.
The State’s current civil litigation environment is adverse to Washington’s public entities and is worsening. Five to ten years ago, multimillion-dollar verdicts, or nuclear verdicts, were not common against public entities. Unfortunately, this is no longer true.
By way of example, a Spokane jury awarded over $19 million to a deputy for a defamation claim against the elected Sheriff; a Thurston County jury awarded $5.5 million against a transit agency for a minor vehicle accident involving two cars; a small school district settled claims for $35 million to avoid what would be a much larger award of $850 million by a King County jury for teachers and students who were sickened by vapors. These verdicts and settlements are funded utilizing taxpayer dollars and drive up the cost of coverage.
Tort reform for all public entities must be addressed, and the balance between making harmed individuals whole with reasonable verdicts and appropriate defenses must be restored. Enduris will continue the good work of protecting members from unreasonable liability litigation, and we need your help. Please watch for legislative updates and calls to action during the next session.