Wrongful death bill that expands city tort liability passes House committee

SB 6015 had a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 21 and was voted out of committee the following day. The bill is now in House Appropriations and must get voted out today, Monday, February 26. If it gets out of its fiscal committee, the House has until Friday, March 2 to pass the bill and the bill could be pulled to the floor for a vote at any time. The bill would significantly expand city tort liability associated with wrongful death claims. The Attorney General’s Office estimates a 20 percent increase in costs associated with these types of claims.

Washington local government tort liability is unlike the rest of the nation because we lack many protections that other states and their local governments are granted. For example, Washington local governments:

• Cannot claim immunity;
• Have fewer available defenses;
• Do not have caps on damages; and
• Are subject to joint and several liability with a no-fault plaintiff.

SB 6015 adds additional claimants and increases the potential for damages – altering the balance in current law between recovery and fairness after a tragedy. AWC opposes this bill. Please consider reaching out to your legislators to voice your opposition.

For more information, please review this brief from the Liability Reform Coalition.