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$2,750,000 Settlement Reached in Washington Parolee Wrongful Death Suit
A $2,750,000 settlement was reached in a wrongful death suit stemming from an accident caused by a Washington parolee.
On August 15, 1999 Kenneth Chambers, who was on parole, struck a vehicle driven by Kim E. Simonds. Chambers was driving a Dodge Dakota pick-up near Seaside, Oregon where his truck crossed the centerline and crashed into the front of the Simonds’ Ford Aerostar, fatally injuring Kim Simonds as well as Cynthia Simonds and Aaron Simonds, while Benjamin Simonds suffered severe bodily and emotional injuries. The Simonds’ estate filed suit on November 26, 2001, raising claims of wrongful death. The complaint charged Chambers with negligence and the state of Washington was named as a defendant for failure to properly supervise Chambers on his parole and to protect the public.
The state of Washington agreed to a settlement reached on May 28, 2004. The agreement provided 2.4 million to be paid in a lump sum and $350,000 to be placed in an annuity and paid out for Benjamin Simonds until 2022. Simonds’ estate was represented by John L. Messina and Stephen L. Bulzoni of Tacoma, Washington. See: Simonds v. State of Washington, Washington, Thurstod County Superior Court, Case #01-2-01276-0.
On August 15, 1999 Kenneth Chambers, who was on parole, struck a vehicle driven by Kim E. Simonds. Chambers was driving a Dodge Dakota pick-up near Seaside, Oregon where his truck crossed the centerline and crashed into the front of the Simonds’ Ford Aerostar, fatally injuring Kim Simonds as well as Cynthia Simonds and Aaron Simonds, while Benjamin Simonds suffered severe bodily and emotional injuries. The Simonds’ estate filed suit on November 26, 2001, raising claims of wrongful death. The complaint charged Chambers with negligence and the state of Washington was named as a defendant for failure to properly supervise Chambers on his parole and to protect the public.
The state of Washington agreed to a settlement reached on May 28, 2004. The agreement provided 2.4 million to be paid in a lump sum and $350,000 to be placed in an annuity and paid out for Benjamin Simonds until 2022. Simonds’ estate was represented by John L. Messina and Stephen L. Bulzoni of Tacoma, Washington. See: Simonds v. State of Washington, Washington, Thurstod County Superior Court, Case #01-2-01276-0.
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Related legal case
Simonds v. State of Washington
| Year | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Washington, Thurston County Superior Court, Case #01-2-01276-0 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Damages | 2,750,000.00 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |