Heinemann v. Coomes - Affirmed Dismissal for Vague Arguments

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April 7, 2026 Get Citation Alerts Download PDF Add Note

Jason William Heinemann v. Thomas R. Coomes, M.D.

Court of Appeals of Washington

• Citations: None known
• Docket Number: 40836-1

• Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

• Opinion

• Authorities (3)

• Cited By (0)

• Summaries (0)

• Similar Cases (1.5K)

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Lead Opinion

FILED
APRIL 7, 2026
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division III

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE

JASON WILLIAM HEINEMANN, ) No. 40836-1-III
)
Appellant, )
)
v. )
)
DR. THOMAS R. COOMES, MD; ) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
THOMAS J. ALLERDING, MD; )
DEBORAH L. HJORTEDAL, Psych )
Triage ED; SACRED HEART )
HOSPITAL; RANDALL CABANA; )
SPOKANE MENTAL HEALTH; I.A. )
SANTOS, MD; REGINA PROEDROU, )
PhD; MARK DARTLEY, PAC; SAMI M. )
PATERAS, MD; FLORA D. WEAVER, )
RN; MARK KETTNER, MBA; )
EASTERN STATE HOSPITAL; BETH )
VENARD; STATE OF WASHINGTON )
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY; JOHN )
and JANE DOES, )
)
Respondents. )

HILL, J. — Jason Heinemann filed a complaint against several individuals and

entities alleging misconduct related to his involuntary commitment 20 years earlier. The

respondents moved to dismiss Heinemann’s claims both under CR 12(b)(6) for failure to

state a claim upon which relief could be granted and on the ground that the claims were

time barred. After a hearing, the superior court dismissed Heinemann’s claims.
No. 40836-1-III
Heinemann v. Sacred Heart

On appeal, Heinemann raises the issue of whether the court erred in dismissing his

claims under CR 12(b)(6). However, although he has provided this court with lengthy

briefing, he does not sufficiently address the issues he raises or cite any case law.

We therefore cannot conclude the court erred and affirm.

BACKGROUND

Jason Heinemann was hospitalized at Sacred Heart Medical Center on March 18,

2004, after crashing his car into a tree. Doctor Thomas Coomes administered initial

treatment. Heinemann’s father, who was present at the hospital, told medical staff he was

concerned by Heinemann’s recent behavior. Dr. Coomes diagnosed Heinemann with

paranoia and suicidal behavior.

That same day, psychiatric triage and mental health professional personnel,

including Randall Cabana of Spokane Mental Health (now Frontier Behavioral Health),

examined Heinemann and detained him to Eastern State Hospital (ESH) for 72-hours for

treatment and evaluation after determining Heinemann was paranoid, possibly suicidal,

and at risk of harming himself. Before the 72-hour detainment period ended, Regina

Proedrou, Ph.D., and Preciosa Simangan, M.D., medical care providers at ESH, filed a

petition seeking a 14-day extension of Heinemann’s involuntary treatment at the hospital

as they believed he presented a likelihood of harming himself and others, and he could

only be treated in that facility. The superior court granted the petition and thereafter filed

an amended order authorizing Heinemann’s participation in a 90-day outpatient treatment

program. Heinemann was discharged from the program in July 2004. In June 2005,

2
No. 40836-1-III
Heinemann v. Sacred Heart

Heinemann was convicted of harassment. This conviction barred him from possessing

firearms. Almost 15 years later, in August 2020, Heinemann filed a petition to restore his

firearm rights, pursuant to RCW 9.41.040(4). In granting the petition, the court relied on

Heinemann’s sworn declaration wherein he stated that he had never been involuntarily

committed for mental health treatment.

Shortly after the court restored Heinemann’s firearm rights, Heinemann filed an

application to “transfer pistol/revolver or semi-automatic rifle” with the Spokane Police

Department. CP at 22. In a letter dated September 3, 2020, the chief of police at the

Spokane Police Department notified Heinemann that his application had been denied

pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 922 (g)(4), which prohibits anyone who has been committed to a

mental institution from receiving a firearm that has been transported or shipped in

interstate or foreign commerce.

That same month, Heinemann filed requests for access to his medical records with

Frontier Behavior Health (formerly Spokane Mental Health), Providence Health &

Services, and ESH. Although Heinemann received the records from EHS on January 21,

2021, he submitted another records request for the same documents on January 26, 2021.

On February 16, ESH mailed Heinemann a letter notifying him that he was restricted

from entering the hospital’s property due to “recent threatening statements made to staff

via telephone (‘You are lucky I don’t come out there’), and implying you have access to a

weapon.” Clerk’s Papers at 18. ESH lifted the restriction on July 21, 2021.

3
No. 40836-1-III
Heinemann v. Sacred Heart

On February 8, 2024, Heinemann filed a complaint against various entities and

individuals, including respondents. Heinemann’s complaint outlined 14 claims against

respondents alleging a variety of misconduct. He asserted, in relevant part, that

respondents unlawfully detained him, took and tested his urine without his consent, lied

in the petitions they filed seeking his involuntary commitment, and released records

without his consent. He further raised issue with ESH’s delay in providing the records he

requested and with his restriction from the hospital’s campus.

Respondents filed or joined in motions to dismiss Heinemann’s claims, arguing

that dismissal was proper under CR 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim upon which relief

can be granted or on the grounds that the claims were time barred by RCW 4.16.350 and

RCW.080. After a hearing, the superior court granted the motions to dismiss. In doing

so, the court explained that Heinemann’s claims were vague, thereby failing to provide a

basis for the court to grant relief, and further that the claims were barred by the statute of

limitations.

Heinemann appeals.
ANALYSIS

On appeal, Heinemann first argues the court disregarded his arguments and only

considered the arguments of the defense when deciding whether to dismiss his claims.

Second, he asserts his goal is to hold respondents accountable for their actions that

resulted in him being denied from purchasing a firearm and being unlawfully detained.

Third, he contends he filed the complaint seeking various forms of relief, including the

4
No. 40836-1-III
Heinemann v. Sacred Heart

trial court’s recognition that the denial of his firearm rights was unjust.

Like the trial court, we find that Heinemann’s assignments of error and arguments,

as set forth in his appellant’s brief, are vague. Heinemann also does not cite to a single

case to support any of his arguments. RAP 10.3(6) provides that the argument section of

an appeal brief should include “argument in support of the issues presented for review,

together with citations to legal authority and references to relevant parts of the record.”

This court routinely declines to review issues unsupported by citation to legal authority.

See Bercier v. Kiga, 127 Wn. App. 809, 824, 103 P.3d 232 (2004); Satomi Owners Ass’n

v. Satomi LLC, 167 Wn.2d 781, 808, 225 P.3d 213 (2009). As this is the case here, we

decline to review the issues Heinemann raises on appeal.

We affirm the trial court’s order dismissing Heinemann’s claims against

respondents.

A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to

RCW 2.06.040.

---

Hill, J.
WE CONCUR:

---

Staab, C.J.

---

Lawrence-Berrey, J.

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