The sudden death of a loved one is devastating, and even more so when someone else’s actions caused the death. Under Washington’s injury laws, if your close family member died in a preventable accident or injury caused by someone else, your family may be entitled to compensation for the economic damages, as well as for grief and anguish. The wrongful death accident lawyers at Sears Injury Law are ready to give your loved one a voice for justice. Call our Tacoma personal injury lawyers today at (253) 544-5553 to learn how we may be able to help you.
Why Sears Injury Law May be the Right Choice for Your Tacoma Wrongful Death Claim
The attorneys at Sears Injury Law have deep compassion for those who’ve suffered the sudden wrongful death of a loved one. Representation by Sears Injury Law offers the following advantages in your case:
- Over 100 years of combined experience navigating wrongful death claims under Washington’s injury laws
- A free evaluation of your case and contingency-based payment, so you only pay for our legal service after we recover compensation for your wrongful death damages
- A Tacoma wrongful death lawyer dedicated to diligent, assertive legal action to obtain the most favorable results possible in your case
- A history of success that puts power behind your wrongful death claim in Tacoma
With over $250 million recovered for our clients, we put a well-respected legal voice on your side. Get in touch with our Tacoma wrongful death lawyers today.
How Do I Know If My Family Member’s Death Was Wrongful?
Washington’s wrongful death laws under RCW 4.20.010 state the following:
“When the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person, his or her personal representative may maintain an action against the person causing the death for the economic and noneconomic damages sustained by the beneficiaries…”
Common causes of wrongful death claims in Tacoma and elsewhere in Washington include the following:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Boating accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Airplane or helicopter accidents
- Premises liability deaths (like slip-and-fall accidents, apartment fires, and pool accidents)
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace fatalities
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Assaults or acts of violence
If, under the circumstances of the case, the decedent could have filed a personal injury claim if they’d survived, then the family members may benefit from a wrongful death claim.
Who Can File a Tacoma Wrongful Death Claim?
Some states allow the closest surviving family member, like a spouse, parent, or child, to file a wrongful death claim directly, but Washington law requires the decedent’s personal representative to file a claim. Typically, this is the executor of their estate or the representative named in a will. The court appoints a personal representative if the decedent has no will or estate plan. Washington’s inheritance laws determine the closest surviving family member, and the compensation awarded to the representative is distributed to that beneficiary to relieve the financial hardship caused by the death.
What Damages Are Recoverable Through a Washington Wrongful Death Case?
A death in the family not only causes grief and sorrow to the survivors but also has financial consequences, especially if the deceased was a family provider. Common damages recovered include the following:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages for a family member who took time away from work
- The lost income and benefits the deceased family member would have earned for the remainder of their working years had they survived
- Compensation for emotional grief and anguish
- Compensation for loss of a spouse’s companionship and consortium, or the loss of a parent’s guidance and support
- Punitive damages if the death was caused by egregious wrongdoing
Most wrongful death claims in Tacoma or elsewhere in Washington end with a settlement, but throughout the process, your Tacoma wrongful death attorney will prepare as though for trial to make a more compelling claim and to ensure a well-executed strategy should the case require litigation.
Call Our Tacoma Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
A loved one’s death has ripple effects throughout all aspects of their family’s lives. Although a wrongful death claim cannot bring back your loved one, it provides the financial relief your family needs to recover. Contact us for experienced representation from a Tacoma wrongful death attorney in your Washington wrongful death case.
