Wrongful Death Claims Against the Government l Washington Attorney

If the wrongful death case arises from a possible claim against a governmental entity like a town, municipality, county, or the state of Washington, then certain requirements must first be met. This situation often arises if the death was caused by a governmental employee while that employee was acting within the scope of the job. For example, if a city or county worker causes a car accident that leads to another person’s death, then a wrongful death case will likely exist against the government (the employer) in addition to the claim against the worker.

With claims against a Washington governmental entity, a separate claim form must be properly completed and served BEFORE a lawsuit can be filed. Failure to follow these steps could result in the case being dismissed. This subject is covered in more detail in the chapter discussing the legal process for wrongful death claims.