Pierce v. Yakima County

¶1 — Conrad Pierce appeals the trial court’s dismissal under the public duty doctrine of his negligence claims against Yakima County (County). Under the doctrine, the government may not be sued for negligence unless it breaches a duty owed particularly to the plaintiff rather *795than to the public in general. Mr. Pierce contends the trial court erred in failing to apply the “failure to enforce” and the “special relationship” exceptions to the public duty doctrine. Alternatively, Mr. Pierce contends remaining material facts preclude summary judgment on whether a special relationship has been…