MARK LINDQUIST LAW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2023

Media contact: Mark Lindquist

Phone: 253.861.8611

Email: Mark@MarkLindquistLaw.com

Web: www.MarkLindquistLaw.com

Family resolves lawsuit against Seattle in 911 call death

Deceased was mistakenly on blacklist

SEATTLE, WA. – Today the family of William Yurek settled a lawsuit against the City of Seattle for $1,860,000. The suit was filed in October of 2022.

"The family wanted justice and accountability," said their attorney Mark Lindquist. "They are pleased the case was resolved justly and fairly. Additionally, we are pleased the city took steps to fix this issue so it won't happen again."

On November 2, 2021, Yurek was having a medical emergency at home. His then 13-year-old son called 911. Medics delayed entry into his residence, however, to wait for a law enforcement escort. Yurek was mistakenly on a list of people who were hostile to first responders. A previous tenant had been on the outdated list.

Yurek's young son had the presence of mind to not only call 911, but to call a second time when the medics seemed to be taking too long. After the second call, medics decided to go in without an escort. At that point, it was too late. Yurek died from cardiac arrest.

"Once inside, medics did everything they could to save Will's life," Lindquist said. "The family has always been grateful to the medics who broke protocol to go in and do their best."

At the time of his death, Yurek was in recovery for addiction. Experts opined that Yurek would have had about a 25% chance of survival if the medics were not delayed by the mistaken blacklist. An expert for the city contended his chance of survival was lower due to drug use and pre-existing medical conditions.

Quick treatment is critical to surviving cardiac arrest. Every minute treatment is delayed can lessen a patient's chances of survival by seven to ten percent.

Lindquist alleged the city was negligent in at least two ways: 1) failing to keep an accurate and updated list, and 2) continuing to require police escorts for medics even though it was well known the Seattle Police Department was understaffed and officers were likely to arrive late.

Local and national media covered the story. The city announced it was revising its guidelines on use and maintenance of the blacklist, referred to as "caution notes."

At the time of the incident, residents weren't informed when their addresses were flagged. The practice disproportionately put lower-income people at risk because they move more frequently.

Yurek is survived by three minor children who live out of state and an adult daughter who lives in the general Seattle area.

Lindquist is a former elected District Attorney for Pierce County. Since 2019 he has been a personal injury attorney handling cases such as the fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 Max, officer-involved shootings, and other incidents of wrongful death or serious injury.

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