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Whatcom County removed from injury lawsuit against Birch Bay Waterslides

Whatcom County removed from injury lawsuit against Birch Bay Waterslides

Photo: Saga Communications/Dave Walker


WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County has been found to be not liable for a serious injury that occurred at Birch Bay Waterslides.

Court documents state that the county was removed from the list of defendants in the lawsuit after a summary judgement was issued on Monday, as first reported by the Bellingham Herald.

The county successfully argued that, according to state law, health jurisdictions can’t be held liable for damage caused by a waterpark failing to follow regulations.

The judge agreed with the county and dismissed the claims against it with prejudice, meaning they can’t be brought back to court.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that plaintiff Larry Baker was severely injured after his legs broke through a defective panel while going down the waterpark’s Hairpin slide in August 2023.

Birch Bay Waterslides, Safe Slide Restoration and Kingworks Consulting Engineers are all still included in the lawsuit.

A jury trial is scheduled to begin on Aug. 26.

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