Governmental Liability

The government has a duty to keep citizens reasonably safe when it is conducting government activities, such as placing children in foster homes or conducting a high speed police chase. If a government entity harms a citizen while conducting its activities, the government may be legally responsible. The attorneys at the Law Offices of James S. Rogers believe that the government should be held accountable when its actions lead to the injury or death of individuals.

DSHS: Foster Home Negligence

The DSHS must conduct a reasonable and prudent investigation before licensing a foster home and when referrals are made. Failure to do so may result in the State of Washington being found at fault by a jury or trier of fact.

Related Case Histories

  • $2,500,000 settlement for two siblings, ages 5 and 3, who were sexually molested by their foster parent after the Washington State Department of Child Protective Services removed them from their biological mother’s care.
  • $690,000 settlement for the estate of a 15-year-old male high school student who killed himself with a gun shot to the head. A psychologist who worked for the school district failed to take reasonable preventative measures to stop the student, after he was informed that the student was suicidal.
  • Confidential settlement for a 13-year-old female student and her family. The student received liver, nerve, and arm injuries after being shot in the back by a fellow student who killed other people during a shooting spree on school premises.

Articles & Press

Resources

  • King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
    “The King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) is a registered nonprofit organization. Their mission is to give voice to victims, their families and the community. They strive to create change in beliefs, attitudes and behaviors about violence. They instill courage for people to speak out about sexual assault. KCSARC’s purpose is to alleviate, as much as possible, the trauma of sexual assault for victims and their families.”
    www.kcsarc.org