Darrell L. Cochran

05/28/2026

This Fourth of July, fire danger is real, and the legal consequences are too.

PCVA attorneys Darrell Cochran and Ian Bauer have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Lincoln County homeowners whose cabin and property were destroyed in the Western Pines Fire. That fire burned 5,781 acres, destroyed 51 structures, and caused millions of dollars in damage.

This fire happened because two property owners chose to ignore a county burn ban and a fireworks ban over the Fourth of July weekend. Investigators ruled out other causes and concluded the fire started on their property, likely from fireworks they lit or embers from their campfire. The property owners tried to hide what they had done and mislead investigators while the fire was still burning and threatening other people’s homes.

This case is about basic responsibility:

When there’s a burn ban or fireworks ban, breaking it is not harmless “fun.”

If your fire or fireworks start a wildfire, you can be held legally responsible for all the damage that follows—homes, land, timber, personal property, and more.

Under Washington law, this kind of conduct can lead to multiple claims, including negligence, nuisance, trespass, and strict liability, and can result in very large civil judgments.
Fire officials have been clear: one spark can destroy a community. Ignoring burn bans and fireworks restrictions doesn’t just risk your own property; it risks your neighbors’ lives and homes—and the law allows those neighbors to hold you accountable.

As we head into another dry season:

Follow all burn bans and fireworks restrictions.

Be absolutely sure any campfire is allowed, fully out, and never left unattended.

If you’ve lost property or been harmed in a wildfire you believe was caused by someone else’s careless or illegal behavior, Darrell Cochran and his team at PCVA is available to talk with you about your legal options.

www.darrellcochranlaw.com

05/27/2026

BREAKING NEWS:
According to the Seattle Times, multiple workers were killed and many more badly hurt in a “major chemical explosion” at the Nippon Dynawave mill in Longview, while families wait anxiously for news and responders continue recovery efforts.

This follows closely on the heels of a similar horrific industrial explosion in Southern California, a grim reminder of how suddenly workers’ lives—and their families’ lives—can be shattered, regardless of what the investigation ultimately finds.
What the public often doesn’t see after a disaster like this is the hidden reality for those directly affected: complex medical decisions, long-term rehabilitation, the sudden loss of income, and the stress of trying to understand technical safety issues and official findings—all while grieving and supporting injured loved ones. Navigating that is a nightmare under the best of circumstances.

My thoughts are with the injured workers, the families of those who are still unaccounted for, and the first responders who ran toward danger. In the weeks and months ahead, I hope every family touched by this tragedy is able to access the medical, financial, and legal support they need to begin rebuilding their lives.

www.darrellcochranlaw.com
253-948-0250

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/major-chemical-explosion-injures-multiple-people-at-longview-paper-mill/

The implosion was reported at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview. At least one person had been killed, and nine were missing.

05/26/2026

LAWSUIT FILED: Olympia Massage Therapist Sexually Assaulting female clients at “The Well”

Olympia massage clinic “The Well” has been served with a lawsuit after one of its massage therapists s*xually assaulted a woman in Lacey during a massage session. This was not the first time Ignacio Ramirez had been accused of s*xually assaulting clients. Attorneys Darrell Cochran and Bridget Grotz of PCVA have filed the case, alleging the clinic failed to protect female clients from a known s*xual predator and massage therapy provider. The State has revoked Ramirez's license after allegations of misconduct were founded during its investigation.

If you or someone you know experienced s*xual assault or inappropriate conduct by a massage therapist at The Well or another clinic, contact attorney Darrell Cochran to discuss your options.

Read more at:

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jul/24/state-health-officials-suspend-massage-therapists-/

https://www.kxro.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ingnasio-Ramirez-Statement-of-Charges.pdf

📞 (253) 948-0250
🌐 www.darrellcochranlaw.com

05/21/2026

🚨 Breaking News

Two Longview Public Schools administrators are facing criminal allegations connected to a s*x abuse investigation involving students at Mark Morris High School.

Superintendent Karen Cloninger was arrested May 21 on felony witness tampering charges, along with misdemeanor allegations of failure to report and obstructing law enforcement. Police say additional charges are expected for the district’s executive director of student services.

The investigation follows the February arrests of two Mark Morris High School students on r**e and indecent exposure charges.

Longview Police say the case involved extensive coordination and evidence review and has raised serious concern throughout the community for students, families, and staff.

If you have information or been a victim of abuse at Mark Morris High School, please call Darrell Cochran at 253-948-0250.

www.darrellcochranlaw.com

https://www.koin.com/news/washington/longview-superintendent-mishandling-mark-morris-high-s*x-abuse-case/

Longview Public Schools Superintendent Karen Cloninger and Executive Director of Student Services Andrew Schoonover were arrested and charged with interfering with a s*x abuse investigation involvi…

05/19/2026

Court of Appeals Win – Lerum v. City of Seattle & City of Bellevue

PCVA attorneys Darrell Cochran and Andy Ulmer secured an important victory in the Court of Appeals for their client. Their client was seriously injured when a stolen SUV, speeding on the I‑5 shoulder, crashed into her car while two motorcycle officers from Seattle and Bellevue were behind it with lights activated.

The trial court threw out their client's case, but on appeal Andy argued that a jury should decide whether the officers’ actions amounted to an unsafe pursuit and helped cause the crash. The Court of Appeals agreed, reversed the dismissal, and sent the case back for trial.

Read more about the case and the decision here: https://darrellcochranlaw.com/blog/washington-court-of-appeals-revives-police-pursuit-injury-lawsuit/

05/15/2026

·

Providence Health & Services is facing a new lawsuit alleging that the hospital system failed to provide legally required accommodations to pregnant and nursing employees, and retaliated against some workers who asked for help.

Darrell Cochran and Ian Bauer of Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC have taken on large medical corporations before and are committed to helping workers and patients understand their rights.

If you have had a similar experience, contact Darrell Cochran at PCVA for a confidential case review.

www.darrellcochranlaw.com
pcva.law.com
(253) 948-0250
— with Ian Bauer.

05/10/2026

BREAKING NEWS: KING COUNTY JURY HOLDS BLESSED SACRAMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR ABUSE.

A few weeks ago, a King County jury returned a verdict in a case rooted in events from the early 1950s. But this case was about more than the past. It was about accountability and the responsibility institutions have to protect children. My partners Ian Bauer, Selena Hoffman and Associate Patrick Brown represented our client in front of a jury who heard the evidence, applied the law and made a judgment as to institutional responsibility in s*xual abuse cases.

The jury heard evidence that a man with a known history of s*xually abusing children was hired as a teacher and coach at Blessed Sacrament School. The question was whether institutions should be held responsible when they ignore clear warning signs.

The jury said yes.

For our client, now in her eighties, the verdict meant finally being heard after decades of silence. It also sends a broader message: institutions cannot look the other way when children are put at risk.

Accountability matters. Transparency matters. Protecting children must always come first.

Read more about the case at the link in the comments.

05/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS: KING COUNTY JURY HOLDS BLESSED SACRAMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR ABUSE.

A few weeks ago, a King County jury returned a verdict in a case rooted in events from the early 1950s. But this case was about more than the past. It was about accountability and the responsibility institutions have to protect children. My partners Ian Bauer, Selena Hoffman and Associate Patrick Brown represented our client in front of a jury who heard the evidence, applied the law and made a judgment as to institutional responsibility in s*xual abuse cases.

The jury heard evidence that a man with a known history of s*xually abusing children was hired as a teacher and coach at Blessed Sacrament School. The question was whether institutions should be held responsible when they ignore clear warning signs.

The jury said yes.

For our client, now in her eighties, the verdict meant finally being heard after decades of silence. It also sends a broader message: institutions cannot look the other way when children are put at risk.

Accountability matters. Transparency matters. Protecting children must always come first.

Read more about the case at https://darrellcochranlaw.com/blog/seattle-jury-awards-3-5-million-in-s*xual-abuse-case-against-historic-catholic-parish/

05/05/2026

PCVA Partner Alex Dietz and co-counsel filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Legal Counsel for Youth and Children and Washington's immigrant foster youth. DCYF is putting the safety and well-being of immigrant youth in its care at risk by failing to inform them of their eligibility for immigration status relief and failing to provide necessary legal services to eligible youth. For more details, see the full press release from co-counsel Children's Rights.

https://www.childrensrights.org/news-voices/advocates-sue-washington-over-failure-to-provide-critical-immigration-services

05/01/2026

I'm proud to share that Patrick Brown will be representing PCVA at Bethel High School on May 1, 2026, as part of Law Week with the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.

Patrick and his team will be speaking with students on “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” highlighting how these principles shape access to justice, protect individual rights, and create opportunity within our communities.

It’s a meaningful opportunity to connect with students, inspire future leaders, and share how the law can make a real difference in people’s lives.

Thank you to the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association for organizing this important event—we’re honored to be part of it!