Record-breaking $42 Million Jury Verdict Signals Accountability in Washington Civil Case Over State’s Failure to Protect Child from Abuse
A Spokane County jury awarded a record-breaking $42 million verdict in a recent civil trial led by attorneys Talis Abolins of mctlaw, and Eric Fong of Fong Law. This landmark decision resulted in the largest jury award ever granted to a plaintiff in Spokane County history.
Mr. Abolins of mctlaw, partnering with co-counsel Eric Fong, represented the plaintiff in a highly sensitive case involving the profound failure of the Washington State Department of Corrections and the Department of Children Youth and Families to protect a minor child from sexual abuse. The case proceeded to trial over several weeks and concluded with the jury delivering a unanimous $42 million dollar decision in favor of mctlaw’s client.
“This verdict sends a powerful message about holding government agencies accountable when they fail to protect the most vulnerable,” says mctlaw attorney Talis Abolins. “It reflects the jury’s recognition of the serious harm caused by institutional failures and the need for justice in the face of that failure. We’re proud of the role our legal team played in helping achieve this outcome and remain committed to standing up for those who have been failed by the systems meant to protect them.”
Talis Abolins is part of mctlaw’s product liability team, representing families in serious injury and wrongful death cases across the country, and was lead attorney in the first jury verdict in the nation involving a kratom overdose death. Talis served 14 years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington, where he litigated in cases at all levels, including authoring a successful petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on a civil rights case. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to justice and to helping families find accountability after tragedy.
About mctlaw
mctlaw represents clients in high-stakes litigation nationwide, including vaccine injury compensation, defective metal-on-metal hip replacements, Kratom-related wrongful death cases, Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits, and federal takings claims. The firm has offices in Seattle, WA, Washington, DC, and Sarasota, FL.
