WA ordered to pay $42M for negligence in child sex abuse case
A Spokane jury has ordered Washington state to pay $42 million to a woman the state failed to protect from years of childhood sexual abuse.
The striking payout in Jessica Hilton’s case adds to the state’s skyrocketing financial liability for a range of misconduct, from wrongful terminations to deaths in prison and mishandled child welfare cases.
Washington’s payouts jumped from $72 million in fiscal year 2018 to about $500 million in the most recent fiscal year that ended June 30, according to state data. Since the beginning of July, the state has already paid out nearly $89 million, not including the $42 million verdict.
A series of court rulings over the past few years opened up the state to further liability. Unlike many other states, Washington has no cap on the damages that can be paid out.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/10/wa-ordered-to-pay-42m-for-negligence-in-child-sex-abuse-case/