Olympia Judge Rules on BIAW Lawsuit

Both sides are claiming victory in an Olympia court ruling on a lawsuit against the Building Industry Association of Washington.

Thurston County Superior Court Judge Carol Murphy found the association violated its duties when it kept more than $400,000 in interest earnings from an industrial insurance trust it managed for members. But Murphy found no harm to plaintiffs. She declined to order BIAW to pay back any of the wrongfully held interest to any of the five contractors that sued.

The Olympian reports the ruling may be appealed.

BIAW spokeswoman Erin Shannon said it couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.

A lawyer on the other side, Knoll Lowney of Seattle, said it’s forcing the BIAW to change practices.