Ressler & Tesh

$24M

Catastrophic Injury

Settlement with a hospital for minor who suffered a permanent traumatic brain injury. This is believed to be one of the largest settlements for a single individual ever in the State of Washington.

$19.5M

Childhood Abuse

The Plaintiffs are two sisters who were placed with a relative as toddlers. DSHS/DCYF failed to properly vet the relative, yet licensed the relative as a foster parent, and then subsequently pushed through an adoption of the Plaintiffs while ignoring numerous red flags. After the adoption, DSHS/DCYF received several concerning reports about the Plaintiffs, yet negligently responded to each report. Due to DSHS/DCYF’s negligence, the Plaintiffs were starved, tortured, and physically abused for a decade before finally being rescued when one of the Plaintiffs was mere hours from death. Ressler & Tesh obtained a settlement of $19,500,000 for the Plaintiffs.

$19.3M

Childhood Abuse

DSHS/DCYF removed M.D., a then perfectly healthy 18-month-old, from a stable foster care placement in Washington and placed her into the home of her alleged father in Texas. Two months later he severely beat her. As a result, M.D. suffered severe brain damage, rendering her quadriplegic, blind, and unable to feed or care for herself in any manner for the rest of her life. Prior to placing M.D. in Texas, DSHS/DCYF failed to read a 26-page home study that had been completed by the State of Texas, contrary to DSHS/DCYF policies. This home study raised numerous red flags regarding the safety of the placement. In addition, DSHS/DCYF failed to review their own files, which also contained concerning information of the alleged father. Ressler & Tesh obtained a settlement of $19,300,000 for M.D. This settlement will take care of M.D. for the rest of her life. In addition, it is the largest single plaintiff settlement against DSHS/DCYF.

$19M

Auto Accident

The Plaintiffs were a couple injured in a head-on collision with a large commercial truck. The settlements were obtained from the operators of two trucks, one of which was attempting to make an illegal pass and the other of which failed to allow the passing truck to return to the proper lane. Ressler & Tesh obtained a combined settlement of $19,000,000.00.

$18.5M

Wrongful Death

This case involves the tragic death of three-year-old Hazel Homan, who was murdered by her caregiver Kamee Dixon. At the time of her death, Hazel was a dependent child. Serious concerns had been raised within DSHS/DYFC about Ms. Dixon’s background and whether she was an appropriate person to be caring for Hazel. Moreover, numerous CPS referrals were made regarding unexplained injuries Hazel had suffered in the months leading up to her death, including a serious burn to her hand and an eye injury caused by unknown chemicals. Despite all these concerns, Hazel remained in the custody of Ms. Dixon who continued to abuse her, culminating in the infliction of fatal injuries on November 27, 2019. This combined settlement was reached with the State of Washington and a daycare provider that Hazel attended in the months before her death. Ressler & Tesh obtained a settlement of $18,500,000 for Hazel’s estate.

$17M

Wrongful Death

Jose Fernandez Armas died at age two from massive internal injuries inflicted by his mother. DSHS/DCYF received a child abuse referral just three months before Jose’s death, detailing that he was being severely abused in a small motel room shared by his mother and her boyfriend. During the litigation, numerous DSHS/DCYF employees admitted that the investigation into this CPS referral was incomplete. Had the investigation been properly investigated, Jose would have been removed from the abusive home he was living in and would be alive today. No disciplinary action was taken with respect to any of the workers who handled the referral. Ressler & Tesh obtained a settlement of $17,000,000 for Jose’s estate.