Tim Ceder Represents WA Mother in Lawsuit Against Treatment Center After Her Son’s Overdose

At Evergreen Personal Injury Counsel, we stand with families who have been betrayed by the very systems meant to protect them.

This week, KING 5 News shed light on the heartbreaking story of our client, Judy Russo. Judy is the mother of a now-deceased son, Brett Ryan, who had sought drug and alcohol treatment at a Pierce County treatment facility. A state investigation later found the facility employed “corrupt practices,” inadequate monitoring, and a pattern of substandard care across the Rainier Recovery chain, including using unqualified trainees to assess and treat patients.

Brett died of a fentanyl overdose last year, just months after entering treatment at Rainier Recovery and only a few days after Rainier Recovery had allegedly found no concerns regarding Brett’s addiction. Brett was found with multiple drugs in his system, and his documented comments in the preceding weeks show him repeatedly revealing concerns about his addiction and self-medication.

The Lawsuit: Standing Up Against Systemic Negligence

Our lawsuit, filed by EPIC attorney Tim Ceder, details numerous failures that ultimately led to Brett’s death. As Tim told reporters, the facility was putting “profits over people” and treating its operations like “a mill.” The lawsuit’s allegations are amply supported by findings from a Department of Health investigation that led to Rainier Recovery losing its credentials in 2024.

Neglect on the part of addiction treatment providers is unacceptable. Those struggling with addiction deserve competent care, transparency, and dignity—not corner-cutting and neglect. No one should have to lose a loved one because a treatment facility put financial incentives above human lives.

For more information, read the articles below:

Washington mom sues shuttered treatment chain – KING 5   

Pierce County substance abuse center sued for wrongful death | Tacoma News Tribune