Cooper v. Woodland School District

District Court, W.D. Washington·Decided October 26, 2022·No. 3:22-cv-05262·Unknown

Opinion

Moloy K. Good WSBA #36036 THE GOOD LAW CLINIC 7017 NE Highway 99, Suite 106 Vancouver, WA 98665 Phone: (360) 694-4530 Fax: (360) 694-4659 moloy@goodlawclinic.com Jeffrey Keddie, WSBA #47101 Megan Hamey, WSBA #59305 NORTHWEST JUSTICE PROJECT 500 W. 8" St., Suite 275 Vancouver, WA 98660 Tel. (360) 693-6130 Fax (360) 693-6352 jeffreyk@nwyustice.org Attomeys for Plaintiffs

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA

CHRISTOPHER COOPER and MARTIS SANDERS as guardian for NO. 3:22-CV-05262-DGE their minor daughter, K.C.; CHIRSTOPHER COOPER and ORDER APPOINTING MARTIS SANDERS, individually SETTLEMENT GUARDIAN AD Plaintiffs, LITEM V.

WOODLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT, K.W.R.L. TRANSPORTATION CO- OP, and SHANNON BARNETT Defendants. ORDER

ORDER APPOINTING SETTLEMENT Good Law Clinie, PLLC GUARDIAN AD LITEM 7017 NE Highway 99, Suite 106 Page | of 8 Vancouver, WA 98665 Phone: (360) 694-4530 Facsimile: (360) 694-4659 E-mail: moloy@goodlawclinic.com

A Motion for Appointment of Settlement Guardian ad Litem having been filed on behalf of the above-named minor or incapacitated person, the Court finding that the facts set forth give the court jurisdiction over this matter and that pursuant to LCR 17(c) a Settlement Guardian ad Litem is required to investigate and evaluate the proposed settlement; now therefore, THE COURT ORDERS: I. Settlement Guardian ad Litem Evan Hull, WSBA #13388, is a person found or known by the court to be a suitable, disinterested person having the requisite knowledge, training and expertise to perform the duties required by LCR 17(c), and is hereby appointed to represent the interests of the named minor. ADDRESS: 900 NW 43rd St, Vancouver, WA 98660-1606 EMAIL: evanhull@pacifier.com PHONE: (360) 693-7455 Il. Compensation of Settlement Guardian ad Litem Approximate settlement amount: $75,000. The Settlement Guardian ad Litem shall be paid a flat rate not to exceed $1,750.00 total, unless further Court approval is given in advance for additional fees or time. Respondent has agreed to be responsible for the flat fee of $1,750.00. Ill. Duties The Settlement Guardian ad Litem shall have the following duties:

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ORDER APPOINTING SETTLEMENT The Good Law Clinic, PLLC Guagbianap _ eugene estan Page 2 of 8 Vancouver, WA 98665 Phone: (360) 694-4530 Facsimile: (360) 694-4659 E-mail: moloy@goodlawclinic.com

A. To investigate and evaluate the adequacy of the offered settlement in light of the needs and best interests of the minor or incapacitated person. B. To review written or oral reports from the attorneys, guardians, and medical providers necessary to permit a complete report. C. To provide the court with a written report, which shall include a description, in depth appropriate to the magnitude of injuries and the amount offered, of the following information, As a minimum: 1. Summary: State the amount of the settlement that you are recommending, and how the net proceeds will be distributed. 2. Include the name and contact information of parents and another relative:

List the name and address of each parent of the minor and another relative. This information will be used in the event the court needs to contact the minor upon

turning age 18 or if the court needs to contact the parent for a missing report if

required.

3. Appointment of Settlement Guardian ad Litem: State your name, date of . . . appointment, and the date that you started working on this matter. Give a brief statement of your experience and qualifications as pertain to serving as a

Settlement Guardian ad Litem, or attach a Curriculum Vitae, with this information. Describe your relationship, if any, with involved parents, guardians, insurers, or attorneys.

ORDER APPOINTING SETTLEMENT Wenn eecgny Oa: Poa GUARDIAN AD LITEM 7017 NE Highway 99, Suite 106 Page 3 of 8 Vancouver, WA 98665 Phone: (360) 694-4530 Facsimile: (360) 694-4659 E-mail: moloy@goodlawclinic.com

4. Investigation: Describe the investigation you conducted, the persons interviewed, and the documents you reviewed. 5. Description of Incident and Cause of Action: Describe the incident and the affected person’s legal claims. 6. Injuries: Describe the injuries, diagnosis, course of treatment, and prognosis for future disability. Attach a copy of a recent supporting medical report or medical record. 7. Damages: Describe the special and general damages that are potentially recoverable. 8. Liability Issues: Describe the factors bearing on each potential defendant

person or entity's liability, including issues of primary negligence, contributory or comparative negligence, causation and probable chance of recovery.

9. Insurance & Assets Available to Satisfy Claim: State the nature and extent

of all insurance coverage or assets available to satisfy the claim, whether

maintained through the defendant, the family, or available through government . entitlements. 10. _—- Liens and Subrogation: Identify all liens, subrogation, and reimbursement

claims. Make a recommendation regarding how those claims are to be resolved including a recommendation regarding retention in any attorney’s trust account of the full amount claimed until the final resolution of the claim.

ORDER APPOINTING SETTLEMENT Wenn eecgny Oa: Poa GUARDIAN AD LITEM 7017 NE Highway 99, Suite 106 Page 4 of 8 Vancouver, WA 98665 Phone: (360) 694-4530 Facsimile: (360) 694-4659 E-mail: moloy@goodlawclinic.com

11. Other Claims: Identify all other claims arising out of the same occurrence. State whether another family member has a claim arising out of the same occurrence, and whether any family member ts or could be a plaintiff or defendant in any action based upon the minor's claim or the occurrence from which it arose. 12. Apportionment: Indicate the amount, basis, and justification for allocating the gross settlement to be paid among the various claimants of the same family or unrelated claimants, if any. State whether the minor or incapacitated person was independently represented at the time the proposed apportionment was determined. 13. Proposed Settlement: Discuss and evaluate the reasonableness of the proposed settlement amount, stating the basis for your valuation of the claim. Also discuss the form the settlement might take (e.g. blocked account, guardianship, structured settlement, or trust) and the proposed settlement documents. 14. Expenses and Fees: Discuss and evaluate the reasonableness of the attorney’s fees requested, costs to be re1mbursed, and any other deductions from the proceeds of the claim.

Gtatbawaputen MeN sox □ Page 5 of 8 vancouver, WA. 98665 Phone: (360) 694-4530 Facsimile: (360) 694-4659 E-mail: moloy@goodlawelinic.com

15. Disposition of Net Proceeds: Set forth your calculation of the net proceeds of the claim. Begin with the proposed offer and subtract attorney’s fees and costs, liens and subrogation reimbursements, and settlement guardian ad litem fees. Give your reasons and recommendations regarding as to how the funds should be placed. If a legal guardianship is required, state the nominee and the terms that you recommend. If you recommend a structured settlement, state why that option is preferred; the specific payout schedule recommended and how it relates to the specific needs of the minor; and a statement which includes the cost of the structured portion, the interest rate received, the name and financial rating of the company providing the annuity. If you or any party recommend the creation of a

trust as recipient of the settlement funds, give your recommendation as to the special needs of the incapacitated person and how they would be served by having

a trust; specific provisions that ought to be included or omitted from the trust; and

your nomination of professional to draft the trust, and a recommended fee

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