Trial News
Verdicts & Settlements: Intentional Torts
Sexual assault during massage
December 12, 2019Andrea Taylor, who was in her mid-40s, had a massage at a facility run by LH Foot Massage, LLC. During the massage, the masseur groped her three times in her private areas. Taylor suffered extreme emotional distress and anxiety as a result of her experience.
She sued LH Foot Massage, alleging negligent hiring of and failure to run a background check on the masseur, who was not a licensed massage therapist. The plaintiff also claimed the defendant was liable for the sexual assault.
The jury awarded $140,000.
Citation: Taylor v. LH Foot Massage, LLC, No. 18-2-09271-0SEA (Wash. Super. Ct. King Cnty. July 1, 2019).
Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Lincoln Beauregard, Seattle; and Lawand Anderson, Des Moines, Wash.
Plaintiff experts: Sarah Heavin, psychology, Tacoma, Wash.; and Veronica Hildebrand, massage therapy, Seattle.
Defense expert: Russell Vandenbelt, psychiatry, Bellevue, Wash.
