Wrongful Death of a Child in Washington State - Seattle Lawyer

Every parent’s worst nightmare is suffering the loss of a child. Very few events in life are more tragic than a child’s death. That loss may be even more painful when the child dies as a result of another’s person’s wrongful conduct. Because this book covers the subject of wrongful death, it would be incomplete without addressing the subject of a child’s wrongful death. The state of Washington has enacted special laws that address this type of claim.

On the one hand, the thought of a parent asking for compensation for the loss of a child may seem offensive. Clearly, no amount of money will ever bring back the child or make up for such a terrible loss. On the other hand, the law recognizes such a claim and gives a parent a specific “right of redress” against the responsible party. The recovery of compensation may also play a part in holding the responsible party accountable for the negligence, and may act as a deterrent in the future.For example, if a child dies because of unsafe business practices, a company may change those practices once they have been required by law to compensate the family who suffered the loss. A wrongful death claim may also assist the parents in the grieving process and help begin the family’s healing process. This chapter is dedicated to parents who are experiencing the tragic loss of a child.  I wrote this section of the book so that if you have lost a child, you can be aware of the specific laws, procedures, and issues that may exist in a case involving the wrongful death of a child.