Safety Violation Fines Ineffective

Seattle - 10/22/09 - A King County Jury returned a verdict of over $12 million to cover the long term care costs of deputy sheriff who was injured while on duty at a fire station.  The deputy stepped through an unmarked doorway for the station's firepole, falling 18 feet and breaking his pelvis, hips, legs, and ribs. As a deputy sheriff, the injured worker was not covered by workers compensation. The State Department of Labor's investigation of the event found a "serious safety violation" and fined the department $800.00. For more information about workers' compensation, click here and for details about the case involving this deputy sheriff, click here.