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Seattle Wrongful Death Attorneys

Losing a loved one unexpectedly because of another’s negligence is devastating, heartbreaking, and frustrating. It is certainly no time to have to deal with pushy insurance adjusters, skeptical investigators, and bureaucratic claims departments. Even so, this is also a time of great financial need for a family facing sizeable bills for final medical expenses and funeral and burial costs, dealing with the loss of income from a wage earner or the loss of a caregiver or provider of household services, and trying to move past the pain and put your life back in order after the rug has been pulled out from under you by another’s careless behavior or intentional misconduct. The attorneys at Emerald Law Group understand what you are going through, and we are here to guide you, help you, and stand by you in your time of need. Fatal accident cases are often complex, requiring a thorough investigation to establish the facts and cause and determine whether another party is liable. Our commitment to you is to see that you are taken care of and get the compensation you need and deserve after a beloved family is taken from you through another’s negligence. Contact our experienced lawyers today for a no-cost consultation to discuss your needs.

Obtaining Compensation for Fatal Accidents Under Washington Wrongful Death Law

Washington law recognizes a cause of action (the basis for a claim or lawsuit) for a death occasioned by the “wrongful act, neglect or default” of another. The estate’s personal representative is authorized to bring a wrongful death claim or lawsuit and recover both economic and noneconomic damages for the benefit of the deceased’s spouse or registered domestic partner and children, including stepchildren. If the deceased did not have a spouse, partner or children, then the parents or siblings of the deceased are entitled to any recovery made in a wrongful death action. Also, parents who regularly contributed to the support of minor children or had significant involvement in the life of an adult child can recover damages, assuming the child had no spouse, partner or children of their own

“Damages” is the term used in the law to refer to economic and noneconomic losses that can be compensated in a civil action. In a wrongful death case, these damages can include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost Income
  • Property Damage
  • Loss of Services
  • Loss of Financial Support
  • Loss of Love and Companionship
  • Loss of Emotional Support
  • Loss of Care and Guidance
  • Destruction of Parent-Child Relations

Survival Actions in Washington State

Washington law recognizes cases where a person was injured by another’s negligence, and while they were not immediately killed in the incident, they later succumbed to their injuries or lost lives in another incident, such as during surgery to repair the initial injury. In situations where the deceased would have been able to pursue a personal injury claim had they not died, that personal injury claim is said to “survive” the passing of the injury victim. In such a “survival” action, the plaintiff can recover additional damages that were personal to the deceased and that they endured before their death, including their economic losses, pain and suffering, anxiety, and emotional distress.

By pursuing a survival action along with a wrongful death case wherever applicable, we can help maximize compensation for the family, hold the responsible party more fully accountable, and achieve the maximum in justice for the deceased.

Emerald Law Group is experienced in a wide range of personal injury and wrongful death cases and is prepared to represent families who lost a loved one in any of the following situations, among others:

  • Car Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
  • Drowning
  • Trip and Fall, Slip and Fall
  • Construction Accidents
  • Nursing Home Abuse
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Child Fatalities
  • Third-Party Liability

Contact Emerald Law Group Today

Although you have up to three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit in a Washington court, Emerald Law Group can help you get justice and compensation much more swiftly by acting immediately to investigate the incident, gather the facts, and pursue a settlement or judgment against the negligent party. Call our experienced Seattle wrongful death lawyers today so we can preserve the evidence in your case and work to resolve it expeditiously to meet your needs.

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