September 29, 2023: Earlier this week, a federal judge in Spokane, Washington issued a ruling upholding a $24 million jury verdict for punitive damages against one of the nation’s largest corporate providers of correctional healthcare. The $24 million jury verdict was obtained by lawyers at Budge & Heipt on behalf of the Estate of Cindy […]
The Washington State Association for Justice has honored Ed Budge as the 2023 Trial Lawyer of the Year. The Washington State Association for Justice is the oldest and largest civil justice advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest with more than 2,400 member attorneys. In receiving this award, Ed joins a list of distinguished Washington attorneys […]
Restraint related asphyxia is a topic that’s often discussed in the context of police brutality cases. The death of George Floyd is a perfect example. And, unfortunately, there are many other such examples. Restraint related asphyxia in excessive force cases can occur when police officers interfere with a person’s ability to breath (or when they […]
“Spoliation” is the destruction of evidence, or the failure to preserve evidence, for pending or future litigation. When a defendant destroys or fails to preserve evidence in a pending case, that defendant can face serious consequences. And the principles surrounding spoliation don’t necessarily depending on the presence of existing litigation. Rather, the obligation to preserve […]
Jails and prisons are dangerous places. Violence among inmates is not uncommon. That said, state and local correctional facilities have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect inmates from foreseeable harm by other inmates. And when someone is seriously hurt or killed because the prison or jail breaches this duty, they (or their estate) […]
Budge & Heipt has obtained a $7 million settlement for the death of a woman who died in a Texas jail. The settlement, believed to be the largest in Texas history for a case of its kind, and one of the largest such settlements nationwide, was reported in this article from the April 27, 2023 […]
The Guardian is reporting on a federal lawsuit being handled by Budge & Heipt, involving the death of Joshua McLemore following his confinement in the Jackson County Jail in Indiana. The entire article, which contains links to video images and photographs, can be viewed by CLICKING HERE. From the Guardian, April 12, 2023: ———————————— Man […]
CNN is reporting on a jail death case being handled by Budge & Heipt. The case involves the death of Joshua McLemore following his confinement in an Indiana jail. For a full link to the April 13, 2023 article, which contains graphic video, CLICK HERE.
The Huffington Post is reporting on a jail death case being handled by Budge & Heipt in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The case involves the death of Joshua McLemore, who died following his confinement in the Jackson County Jail, located in Seymour, Indiana. Click here for a link […]
The Washington Post is reporting on a lawsuit filed in federal court for the the death of Larry Price — a 51 year old man who was permitted to starve to death in the Sebastian County, Arkansas Jail. The case is being handled by the Seattle law offices of Budge & Heipt. From the Washington […]
If you or a loved one has been a victim of serious injury and/or death at the hands of police or in jail or prison, tell us about your case.