Court Holds Cowlitz County Liable for Deadly Bridge Collapse
A landmark Supreme Court decision opens the door for survivors and victims' families to sue for damages following the 1922 Kelso bridge disaster.
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Judge Parker of the Washington State Supreme Court holds Cowlitz County liable for damages growing out of the Kelso bridge disaster, on January 3, 1922. The supreme court decision reverses the lower court in a test suit brought by Mrs. Kate M. Barr, administratrix of the estate of Benjamin B. Barr, who was drowned when his automobile went down with the fallen span. This decision opens the way for many damage suits arising from the disaster.
“This decision opens the way for many damage suits arising from the disaster.”
This ruling highlights the early 20th-century struggles to establish government accountability for infrastructure maintenance. Today, the legal principle of sovereign immunity has evolved significantly, but citizens still look to the courts to hold public entities responsible when aging infrastructure fails.
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