Date: 11-11-2011

Case Style: Katti Hofstetter v. City of Billingham

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Court: Superior Court, Whatcom County, Washington

Plaintiff's Attorney: Don Buckland

Defendant's Attorney: Joan Hoisington

Description: Katti Hofstetter, age 16, sued the City of Billingham, Washington on a governmental tort claim negligence theory claiming that it should be held responsible for the injuries by her when she slipped off a trail at Whatcom Falls Park in August 2005. Plaintiff slipped on a wet spot and fell from the path that leads out of the park's whirlpool swimming area. She landed on boulders below the trail and fractured her spine, leaving her paralyzed. She sought more than $27 million in damages.

The day that Hofstetter was injured, she and several other people were jumping from the cliff, swimming and using a steep, informal trail to get out of the water.

Defendant claimed that it was protected from liability by Washington's Recreational Land Use statute.

Outcome: Defendant's verdict.

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Defendant's Experts:

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