Wash. High Court Reinstates Discovery Sanctions Against Sto Industries

SEATTLE -Washington's Supreme Court reinstated discovery sanctions against STO Industries on April 6, ruling that a lower court applied the wrong test in considering whether sanctions imposed by a trial court were appropriate. Mayer v. Sto Industries, No. 76720-3 (Wash. Sup. Ct.).

The en banc high court did affirm the Court of Appeals' holding that petitioners Kurtis R. and Pamela Mayer were entitled to damages for their home's diminished value as well as actual repair costs.

Following a second trial, the trial judge had assessed sanctions against Sto Industries of $468,147.04 in trial fees and costs, $276,732.75 in interest, and …