Bishop Legal Secures Multimillion-Dollar Settlement in Sea-Tac Airport Injury Case

Attorney Raymond Bishop reaches resolution in lawsuit over catastrophic workplace incident involving ramp agent Tia Valentine.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:48pm

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Bishop Legal attorney Raymond Bishop has announced the resolution of a multiparty lawsuit stemming from a catastrophic workplace incident at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) in 2022, where ramp agent Tia Valentine was ejected from and run down by an airport tug, resulting in severe injuries to her right leg. The lawsuit included claims against the Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines, TLD America, Daifuku, and Unifi Aviation, alleging unsafe conditions and equipment failures contributed to the incident.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of workplace safety, particularly in high-risk industries like airport ground operations, and the legal accountability of employers and equipment manufacturers when their negligence leads to life-altering injuries. The multimillion-dollar settlement underscores the significant financial and reputational impact that can result from such incidents.

The details

While working as a ramp agent for McGee Air Services at Sea-Tac, Tia Valentine was ejected from and run down by an airport tug driven by a co-worker. The tug had no doors, cab, or guardrails, and the replacement seat was in poor repair with a faulty seatbelt, causing Tia to slip off the side and be caught under the wheel. Her right leg was crushed and the skin ripped from her body. Tia brought suit against the Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines, TLD America, Daifuku, and Unifi Aviation, alleging unsafe conditions and equipment failures contributed to the incident.

  • The incident occurred on September 16, 2022 at Sea-Tac Airport.
  • The lawsuit was resolved and the settlement announced on March 13, 2026.

The players

Tia Valentine

A ramp agent for McGee Air Services who was severely injured in the incident at Sea-Tac Airport.

Raymond Bishop

An attorney at Bishop Legal, the firm that represented Tia Valentine and secured the multimillion-dollar settlement.

Port of Seattle

The operator of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which was named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Alaska Airlines

The airline for which the ramp agents were providing ground services at the time of the incident, and was named as a defendant.

TLD America

The manufacturer of the airport tug involved in the incident, and was named as a defendant for defective design.

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What they’re saying

“Bishop Legal is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm dedicated to representing individuals who have suffered serious injuries due to negligence, unsafe working conditions, and defective products.”

— Raymond Bishop, Attorney, Bishop Legal (PR Newswire)

What’s next

After receiving the settlement payments, Tia Valentine is officially dismissing her lawsuit and trying to move on with her life.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of workplace safety, particularly in high-risk industries like airport ground operations, and the legal accountability that employers and equipment manufacturers face when their negligence leads to catastrophic injuries. The multimillion-dollar settlement underscores the significant financial and reputational impact that can result from such incidents.