Erik Connell handles civil litigation and professional liability matters and represents corporate clients in employment disputes and complex commercial matters. He helps resolve litigation for his clients and assists in their day-to-day legal issues.
Erik joined Wilson Elser from a mid-size civil litigation firm in Seattle, where he handled professional liability, wrongful death, construction defect, medical malpractice, employment law, worksite injury, legal malpractice, mold exposure and personal injury matters. Erik served as an extern for the Honorable John Erlick, King County Superior Court Seattle, Washington. He also served in the Peace Corps in Swaziland, Africa, where he was a Community Health HIV/AIDS educator, organizing large events focused on HIV/AIDS prevention education in a rural community, and started an after-school boys club at a local high school.
Representative Matters
Prevailed on a summary judgment motion in Pierce County Superior Court. The plaintiff alleged that she fell on a temporary asphalt patch in a public crosswalk. The client had contracted to install a permanent asphalt patch on the subject crosswalk, but had not yet performed the work. The plaintiff alleged that the contractor owed a duty to her as a possessor of land because it was entitled to enter the land. The court held, however, that it owed no duty to the plaintiff because it did not possess the land, as it had not yet occupied the land, and the land in question was a public crosswalk.
Participated in nine-figure personal injury case with more than 70 plaintiffs. Deposed both damages and liability expert witnesses, plaintiffs, and friends and family witnesses. Oversaw creation of pre-trial materials, including ER 904 submissions and objections, jury instructions and motions in limine. Supervised large-scale discovery responses.
Settled automobile accident trial with fault admitted. The plaintiff settled mid-trial for a fraction of the defendant’s offer of judgment after Mr. Connell successfully prevented the plaintiff from introducing any evidence of damages.
Secured jury verdict in an automobile accident trial with fault admitted. The jury returned a verdict that was lower than the defendant’s last pre-trial offer to the plaintiff.
Obtained judgment in an automobile accident trial with disputed fault. The defense obtained judgment as a matter of law after the plaintiff rested her case, successfully arguing that the plaintiff had failed to adequately introduce evidence of damages on which the jury could base an award.
Obtained summary judgment dismissal for the dog owner in a dog bite case. The plaintiff alleged theories of attractive nuisance, negligence, and Washington State’s dog bite liability statute.