When issues arise with employees in any workplace, increasingly workplace investigations are used as both a risk management tool for employers as well as to develop and understand the “facts” of what transpired that caused the issue. When conducted properly, workplace investigations resolve disputes, uncover misconduct, protect employees, and protect employers from liability exposure. When […]
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Helsell Fetterman Presents Caselaw Update at Annual WHCRMS Conference
Our health care team is proud that we’ve been invited to present a case law update at the upcoming Washington Health Care Risk Management Society’s (WHCRMS) 39th Annual Conference on June 9, 2023. It’s been a busy year for health care in Washington courts. Dave Corey, Rabia Ahmad, and Jenna Mark will provide comment and […]
Legislature Passes Landmark “Middle Housing” Bill
On May 8, 2023, Governor Inslee signed HB 1110, commonly known as the “Middle Housing Bill”. The Middle Housing Bill represents the culmination of years of advocacy by groups concerned about the affordability of housing in Washington State, especially the Puget Sound. The Middle Housing Bill strongly encourages “middle housing”, which includes 2 to 6- […]
Supreme Court Voids One-Year Builder Warranties
On October 27, 2022, the Washington Supreme Court pronounced in a 5-4 ruling that the one-year builder warranty was “substantively unconscionable and, therefore, void and unenforceable” because it deprived the home buyer of the 6-year statute of limitations for construction defects contained in RCW 4.16.310[1], benefited the builder, was not set out prominently in the […]
Important Considerations for Seeking a Vulnerable Adult Protection Order in Washington State
In Washington State, there are six types of civil protection orders which are aimed at protecting specific classes of individuals in unsafe and particularly susceptible situations. These situations include those involving: Domestic Violence; Sexual Assault; Stalking; Harassment; Extreme Risk with firearms; and Vulnerable adults who face threats of physical/mental/financial harm. These different types of civil […]
Washington’s New Capital Gains Tax
On May 4, 2021, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5096 into law, imposing a new tax on capital gains for Washingtonians. Beginning January 1, 2022, a flat rate of 7% will apply to a Washington resident’s net long-term capital gains in excess of a standard deduction and various exemptions. The standard deduction is […]
#FreeBritney and I Care A Lot: How Conservatorships and Guardianships Can Be Used to Protect (and How to Protect Yourself From Needing One).
The New York Times’ new docuseries episode on Britney Spears, “Framing Britney Spears”, the #FreeBritney movement, and the popularity of Netflix movie “I Care a Lot,” have spotlighted conservatorships and guardianships in mainstream media and culture. Now more than ever, there is a sudden interest in conservatorships and guardianships, how they work, why they were […]
Phase 3 – Are We There Yet?
All eight regions in Washington State are now in Phase 2 under Governor Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan for phased reopening of business. With COVID-19 infection numbers in decline across the state, businesses are champing at the bit for “Phase 3”. After all, the thinking goes, if the Governor is now […]
“Multigenerational Household” for COVID-19 Vaccine Purposes
On January 6, 2021, the Washington State Department of Health released an estimated timeline for priority vaccination for COVID-19 and who qualifies. The release got buried in the rubble of a very busy news day, given what occurred in the “other Washington” on that date. But the observant eye saw something in the timeline that […]
New Plan for Washington Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Like the New Year, it’s out with the old plan and in with a new plan for Washington State businesses in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective January 11, 2021, Washington’s Safe Start plan for addressing business operations will be replaced by a new plan, which Governor Jay Inslee calls the “Healthy Washington – […]