Lawsuits Against Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC)

The experienced team of Wrongful Death Attorneys at Davis Law Group successfully recovered a $3.25 million settlement on behalf of the family of a 17-year-old boy who was tragically shot and killed following the Washington State Department of Corrections’ (DOC) preventable early release of a violent re-offender.

At the time of his death, CM was just a teenage boy with a life expectancy of more than 58 years. He was described by his mother as kind, humorous, and deeply caring. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing video games, listening to music, and fishing.

Details of the Wrongful Death Incident

On May 26, 2015, 17-year-old CM was visiting his uncle at Northwest Accessories in Spokane, Washington. During the visit, JS and an accomplice forcibly entered the business through a locked back door with the intent to commit robbery.

Surveillance footage from inside the business showed CM was fully compliant during the incident, lying on the floor as JS held a firearm to the back of his head. After a distraction from the business manager, CM attempted to flee the scene. JS pursued after the boy and fatally shot him. Despite efforts to transport him to the hospital, CM was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death to be a gunshot wound and ruled the manner of death a homicide.

A Fatality Due to a Preventable Error

Attorney Chris Davis of Davis Law Group demonstrated this tragedy was entirely preventable. JS, a violent offender with prior convictions for first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary, and assault, had been wrongfully released from custody just 11 days before the murder.

Evidence showed that DOC had been aware of a significant computer programming error as early as December 2012. This error resulted in the unlawful early release of numerous inmates, including JS. Despite explicit warnings from an Assistant Attorney General that failure to correct the issue would likely result in preventable deaths and substantial liability, the DOC failed to act.

The programming error was not corrected until January 12, 2016, more than three years after it was first identified.

Davis Law Group Personal Injury Lawyers argued that had the DOC corrected the error or manually calculated JS’s sentence, he would have remained incarcerated on the date of the shooting and CM would still be alive.

Damages and Impact on the Family

CM is survived by his mother, older sister, and younger brother. His death has had a devastating and lasting impact on his family.

The Wrongful Death Lawyers at Davis Law Group presented claims for both economic and non-economic damages. These include funeral and medical expenses, lost lifetime earnings, and the conscious pain and suffering CM experienced prior to his death. The legal team also pursued claims on behalf of his mother for the profound emotional losses associated with the death of a child, including the loss of love, companionship, and the parent-child relationship.

To support these claims, the team retained a forensic psychologist who conducted a comprehensive evaluation of CM’s mother and concluded that she suffered from severe psychological trauma and required specialized mental health treatment.

Litigation and Resolution

Attorney Chris Davis demonstrated that the DOC’s prolonged avoidance in addressing a known and dangerous error constituted negligence at the highest level. After approximately 18 months of aggressive litigation against the Washington State Department of Corrections, Davis Law Group successfully recovered a $3.25 million settlement on behalf of the family.

While no amount of compensation can undo the devastating loss of a young life, the settlement provided financial support for the family and held the Department of Corrections accountable for its preventable and tragic failure. The team at Davis Law Group understands how overwhelming it can be to navigate a wrongful death. For guidance and more information, request a free copy of Attorney Chris Davis’s book, The Essential Guide to Wrongful Death Law in Washington State.