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Latest Personal Injury Verdict News from Washington

Browse all personal injury verdict news from Washington.

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Wrongful Death

$130 Million Pierce County Wrongful Death Verdict After State and Daycare Ignored Abuse Warnings

A Pierce County jury has returned a $130,000,000 verdict in favor of the estate of Sarai Brooks, a 2-year-old girl who died on March 11, 2022, after suffering prolonged abuse. Jurors found that the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and Love and Laughter Learning Centers, Inc., a South Hill daycare, failed to act on repeated, visible warning signs that could have saved her life. The verdict, reported April 8, 2026 following a five-week trial, is believed to be the largest wrongful death award of its kind in Washington state history.Case at a Glance Verdict: $130,000,000 Case Type: Wrongful Death / Government Liability / Negligence Court: Pierce County Superior Court Case No.: 24-2-12689-4 Verdict Date: April 2026 Plaintiff: Estate of Sarai J. Brooks Defendants: State of Washington (DCYF); Love and Laughter Learning Centers, Inc. Plaintiff Attorney: Ray Dearie, Dearie Law Group Sarai's Death: March 11, 2022; cause of death: blunt force trauma to the head (ruled homicide)What Happened to Sarai Brooks Sarai Brooks had been removed from her home by Child Protective Services in April 2021 after Auburn police suspected her mother, Jharmaine Baker, of physically abusing her children. She was returned to the home approximately three months before her death, while state supervision remained in place. Sarai's abuser, Augustino Maile, was Baker's boyfriend. A court order prohibited him from having contact with the children. According to trial testimony and court records, DCYF returned Sarai to a home where Maile remained present, in violation of that order. The agency then failed to follow up on repeated warning signs, including missed daycare attendance and visible injuries documented on the child. Maile was later convicted of first-degree manslaughter in Sarai's death. Pierce County Superior Court Judge Angelica Williams sentenced him to just over 16 years in prison. Baker was sentenced to 6 years. The Pierce County Medical Examiner documented a history of injuries consistent with prolonged abuse.How the State and Daycare Failed Sarai The trial record established failures across two separate institutions. At the state level, DCYF workers placed Sarai back in a home with an active abuser, then did not follow through on monitoring obligations. Warning signs, including missed daycare appearances and observable injuries, went without documented follow-up. At the daycare level, staff at Love and Laughter Learning Centers observed visible injuries on Sarai, including a black eye and other concerning marks, according to court documents. Under Washington law, daycare workers are mandated reporters, legally required to report suspected child abuse to authorities. The jury found the daycare failed to fulfill that obligation. "The most painful part of this case is how profoundly preventable it was," said attorney Ray Dearie of Dearie Law Group. "All it took to save this child's life was for one person to do their job: a call to a social worker, a report from a mandated reporter, or any attempt at follow-up by the state. Any one of those actions could have saved Sarai's life."Why Did the Jury Return a $130 Million Pierce County Wrongful Death Verdict? Following a five-week trial, the jury apportioned liability between the State of Washington and the daycare. The specific breakdown between defendants was not reported in available sources. Plaintiff attorneys argued that systemic failures across both the child welfare system and the daycare directly contributed to Sarai's death. The evidence included a history of prior abuse, a documented court order that was ignored, visible injuries that went unreported, and a pattern of missed opportunities for intervention. “This verdict gives Sarai a voice," Dearie said. "The jury had the very difficult burden of hearing in graphic detail exactly what Sarai endured, and how many opportunities there were to save her.”What This Pierce County Wrongful Death Verdict Means for Child Welfare Accountability Washington abolished sovereign immunity in 1961 under RCW 4.92.090, making the state liable for damages arising from its wrongful conduct to the same extent as a private entity, with no cap on damages. That broad waiver is what made a $130 million verdict against a state agency legally possible here, and it distinguishes Washington from states that still limit or bar recovery against government defendants. For plaintiff attorneys handling Washington state wrongful death and child welfare negligence cases, the liability theory in this case is instructive: two separate defendants, a court order that was violated, mandatory reporting obligations that went unfulfilled, and a well-documented trail of missed interventions. The combination gave the jury a precise picture of how Sarai fell through institutional gaps that existed specifically to protect her. “Sarai did not have a voice while this was happening to her,” Dearie said. “This jury made sure she has one now and made clear that when institutions fail children like this, there must be accountability.”FAQ Q: Can you sue a state government agency for wrongful death in Washington? A: Yes. Washington abolished sovereign immunity in 1961 and has one of the broadest government liability waivers in the country. Under RCW 4.92.090, the state is liable for damages arising from its tortious conduct to the same extent as a private party, with no statutory cap on damages. Cases against state agencies still carry procedural requirements and can be complex, which makes experienced legal representation important from the outset. Q: What is a mandatory reporter, and what happens when they fail to report? A: In Washington state, certain professionals, including daycare workers, teachers, and healthcare providers, are legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. Failure to make a mandatory report can expose an individual or organization to civil liability. The daycare's alleged failure to report visible injuries on Sarai was a central element of the plaintiff's case against Love and Laughter Learning Centers. Verdicts like this one show what juries are prepared to award when institutional failures are documented and the harm is irreversible. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured by the negligence of a government agency or institution, the trial record of your attorney matters. Find a plaintiff lawyer on Major Verdict who has the results to back it up.

Medical Malpractice

$24 Million Verdict in Seattle Stem Cell Wrongful Death Case Sends Message to Unproven Treatment Clinics

A King County jury delivered a unanimous $24 million verdict on February 27, 2026, in favor of the family of Michael Trujillo, a 62-year-old Colorado man who died after receiving a stem cell injection at the Seattle Stem Cell Center in 2019. The Seattle stem cell wrongful death verdict is one of the largest medical malpractice awards in Washington state in recent years and puts a national spotlight on the risks of unproven stem cell treatments marketed to desperate patients.How a Colorado Electrician Ended Up at a Seattle Stem Cell Clinic Michael Trujillo, a journeyman electrician from Westminster, Colorado, was diagnosed with ALS in 2017. As the progressive neurological disease advanced, Trujillo and his wife Carmen searched for treatment options and discovered the Seattle Stem Cell Center through its online marketing. The clinic promoted stem cell therapy for a range of serious medical conditions, including ALS. After a free consultation, Trujillo underwent his first stem cell treatment in February 2019. He returned to the Seattle clinic in April 2019 for a second procedure. "We flew to Seattle with hope, and I flew home alone," his widow, Carmen Trujillo, told jurors during the trial.The Procedure That Took His Life Evidence presented at trial showed that during the second visit, stem cells were injected into Trujillo's spine without imaging guidance while he was taking blood-thinning medication. According to trial testimony, the combination caused catastrophic bleeding and brain herniation, leading to Trujillo's death. Dr. Tami Meraglia, owner of the Seattle Stem Cell Center, told KIRO Newsradio that she did not personally treat the patient. She said a different doctor at the clinic performed the procedure and changed the treatment plan from an IV administration to an epidural injection without consulting her, while the patient had high blood pressure and was on blood thinners. The clinic closed in 2021.A Unanimous Jury and a Courtroom Full of Emotion The King County jury returned a unanimous verdict, though unanimity is not required in Washington civil cases. Carmen Trujillo delivered her testimony on what would have been the couple's 46th wedding anniversary. After the verdict was read, jurors lined up to embrace Carmen. "They just were such a blessing. They were smiling. They were so happy for us. It was just one big celebration," she told KIRO Newsradio. Plaintiff's attorney Dylan Cohon of Swanson Gardner Meyers Cohon PLLC said the verdict carries a broader message for the stem cell treatment industry. "This verdict is about justice, compensation, and accountability," Cohon said. "Medical providers who market treatments to vulnerable patients need to be honest about whether there is any scientific evidence that the treatments will work."A Pattern of Legal Trouble for the Clinic This was not the first legal action involving Dr. Meraglia and her clinic. In 2022, the Washington Attorney General filed a separate Consumer Protection Act lawsuit against US Stemology and Dr. Meraglia, alleging deceptive marketing of unproven stem cell treatments. That case resulted in an $800,000 judgment and permanent marketing restrictions. Despite the verdict, Dr. Meraglia indicated she intends to appeal, citing legal rulings made before and during trial that she believes prevented the jury from hearing all of her evidence. "We're disappointed in today's verdict, and our hearts go out to everyone," she told KIRO Newsradio. "A man lost his life. Even though it was many years ago, it's still very sad."What This Seattle Stem Cell Wrongful Death Verdict Signals The $24 million verdict underscores the legal exposure facing clinics that market unproven medical treatments to patients with serious or terminal diagnoses. For plaintiff attorneys, the case highlights the power of combining wrongful death claims with evidence of deceptive marketing practices, particularly when a clinic has a documented regulatory history. For families affected by medical negligence, verdicts like this one show what juries are willing to award when the evidence is strong and the attorney is prepared. Find a plaintiff lawyer on Major Verdict who has the trial record to back it up, or browse the latest verdict news from courtrooms across the country.

Wrongful Death

King County Jury Awards $30.5M in CHOP Wrongful‑Death Case Against City of Seattle

A King County jury has awarded nearly $31 million to the family of 16‑year‑old Antonio Mays Jr., concluding the City of Seattle was negligent in how it managed the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP) zone. Mays was shot during the protest zone period, and the family’s wrongful‑death suit argued the area was effectively abandoned by police and that delays in emergency response contributed to his death. Jurors agreed, returning a verdict in the family’s favor. According to trial reporting, Mays was shot in the CHOP zone on June 29, 2023. No suspects have been identified or arrested. The suit claimed the zone’s security and access policies created dangerous conditions and slowed first‑responder access. The verdict places liability on the city for its handling of the zone and its response protocols during the incident. A spokesperson for the Seattle City Attorney’s Office said the city would assess its options going forward, signaling the possibility of post‑trial motions or appeal. For now, the jury’s decision stands as a major wrongful‑death verdict tied to municipal response and public‑safety management during the protests.

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