Estate of Bunch v. McGraw Residential Center

¶1 This case arises out of the tragic death of a teenage girl, Ashlie Bunch. Ashlie’s adoptive father, Steven Bunch (Bunch), brought an action under RCW 4.24.010, a statute creating a right of action for the injury or death of a child, against the treatment center where Ashlie committed suicide, McGraw Residential Center. Ashlie’s adoptive mother, Amy Kozel, sought to join the lawsuit as a necessary party under CR 19(a). The superior court denied Kozel’s motion, and the Court of Appeals affirmed. Finding that Kozel satisfied statutory standing requirements and CR 19(a), we reverse the Court…