Answers To Your Legal Questions

 

Q: Should I file a wrongful death suit against the person responsible for my loved one's death?  Should I file a case in court?

A: A wrongful death case is only allowed by statute and the terms or requirements set forth in the statute must be strictly met.  a wrongful death case may only be pursued if there are certain beneficiaries (or survivors) designated in the statute.  In Washington the wrongful death case can only proceed if there is a surviving spouse or surviving children.  If the deceased was not married and had no children, then a wrongful death case may be pursued by a surviving parent or sibling, but only if the parent or sibling was financially dependent on the deceased at the time of death.  The Washington Supreme Court has determined that the financial dependence must be "substantial."  However, in the case of a wrongful death of a minor child (under age 18), a surviving parent may bring a wrongful death case without showing financial dependence.

More Legal Questions?
Do you have more legal questions about injury cases about wrongful death law in Washington state?  Return to the Washington Wrongful Death Law questions page. 

Or order download your FREE copy of the report: Understanding Wrongful Death In Washington State. [PDF]  .

To get more information about Washington state wrongful death law, wrongful death lawsuits, and Seattle wrongful death attorneys visit our wrongful death and fatal accidents information page. 

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