Losing a loved one can dramatically impact your life, resulting in profound grief, a loss of balance, and a hole in your life that never gets filled. It can be challenging to regain a sense of normalcy. When someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing causes your loss, Washington’s wrongful death law provides a right of action for certain family members to seek justice and hold the at-fault parties accountable for the economic and non-economic harm they’ve caused. While no amount of money can ever undo the loss, the law allows struggling families to secure the resources they need as they move forward with their lives.
An experienced Puyallup wrongful death attorney from Sears Injury Law can meet with you to discuss your objectives and how Washington’s wrongful death law applies to your particular situation. Contact our Puyallup personal injury attorneys today by calling (253) 286-7444 to get started with a free case review.
What Qualifies as Wrongful Death Under Washington State Law?
Under Washington law, a wrongful death is defined as a death occurring due to someone else’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. The underlying act that caused the death doesn’t have to be criminal, but it could be.
Common situations that give rise to wrongful death claims in the state include:
- Car accidents caused by drunk driving, speeding, or distracted driving
- Truck accidents caused by the violation of state or federal trucking regulations, such as load securement, hours of service, or drug and alcohol testing rules
- Motorcycle accidents caused by failing to check blind spots, keep a proper lookout, or yield the right of way
- Medical errors that result in death, such as diagnostic errors, surgical errors, or medication mistakes
- Intentional acts that lead to death, such as assault or nursing home abuse
An experienced Puyallup wrongful death lawyer from Sears Injury Law can evaluate your case and explain if you have the right to file a wrongful death case.
Who Recovers Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim?
Washington law restricts the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit to the personal representative of the deceased. However, any money recovered from this type of legal claim goes to a limited number of beneficiaries as designated under Washington law. The decedent’s spouse, state-registered domestic partner, and children are the primary beneficiaries of this type of legal action.
If the decedent did not have a spouse, a state-registered domestic partner, or a child, their parents or siblings may be eligible to collect damages. Damages can include direct economic losses, such as loss of financial support, payment of medical expenses, and burial expenses, as well as non-economic losses, such as grief and loss of love and affection.
Contact Our Puyallup Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
If you’ve lost a loved one in a tragic accident, you are already dealing with enough. Your entire life may have been shattered, and you may be struggling to make ends meet without your loved one’s assistance, all while you’re also experiencing profound grief. An experienced Puyallup wrongful death lawyer from Sears Injury Law can handle the legal claim for you so you can focus on your grief and healing. Our team will can discuss your legal options for pursuing compensation against those responsible for your loved one’s death during a free, no-obligation consultation. Contact us today by calling (253) 286-7444 or filling out our online contact form.