Practice Areas

Motor Vehicle Accidents

• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Semi Truck Accidents
• Pedestrian, Crosswalk, Bicycle Accidents
• Passenger Van Accidents
• Drunk Driving (DUI) Collisions
• RV and Motor Home Accidents
• Delivery Truck Accidents
• Distracted Driving Accidents
• Bus, Shuttle, Taxi & Mass Transit Accidents
• ATV Accidents
• Boating & Personal Watercraft Accidents

Wrongful Death

Injuries to Minors & Children

Serious Accidents & Catastrophic Injuries

• Head Injuries & Brain Damage
• Back & Spinal Cord Injuries

Insurance Coverage Disputes & Bad Faith Claims

Medical Malpractice, Surgery Errors & Hospital Injuries

Dog Bites & Animal Attacks

Nursing Home Neglect & Elder Care Abuse

Library

Wrongful Death

• 5 Dead, 2 Injured in Anacortes Oil Refinery Blast
• The Evolution of the Obituary: Classic traditions and new trends in memorializing your loved one.
• Funeral Homes, Funeral Services, Mortuaries in Seattle, Washington

View all

Washington Wrongful Death Attorneys

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Seattle, Bellevue and Renton

Losing a loved one due to accidental or wrongful death is a devastating experience. When a family member’s life is suddenly cut short as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another, the grief and feelings of loss can be overwhelming. If this has happened in your family, you may be going through a complex array of emotions, including sadness, denial, anger, and hopelessness. No one is ever prepared for such a tragic event.

When the spouse, parent, sibling or other relative of a wrongful death victim contacts our Seattle wrongful death attorneys, we see their pain and know this is an emotionally challenging time. There are so many questions: How could this have happened?  Why wasn’t something done to prevent our loved one’s death? How can we survive emotionally and financially after this tragedy? How will we pay the medical bills and funeral costs?

Webinar: Understanding Wrongful Death Law in Washington State

If a loved one has been killed in Washington state, you may be entitled to significant compensation under the law.  To get outstanding assistance with your wrongful death case, call Davis Law Group now now toll free at 206-727-4000. 

Washington State Wrongful Death Law - Free Information

FREE BOOK - Wrongful Death in Washington State by Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney, Chris Davis

FREE REPORT - Understanding Wrongful Death In Washington State (pdf) by Seattle Wrongful Death Lawyer, Chris Davis

 

Recognizing the Value of Family

In most wrongful death cases, the estate and certain surviving family members will have a claim for damages. The estate is typically allowed to claim damages for the decedent’s lost earnings, medical expenses, funeral expenses, and conscious “pain and suffering” experienced by the decedent before death. Certain surviving family members may also have individual claims for damages as a result of the decedent’s death, including loss of consortium (i.e., destruction of the relationship) and emotional distress.

An accidental death, unintentional death, or wrongful death claim may arise when a person dies as a result of the negligent, careless, intentional or reckless acts of another person or entity (including a corporation or governmental agency). The death could occur because of a car accident, medical malpractice, an on-the-job injury, nursing home abuse or neglect, or from any other careless conduct. 

Many people are surprised to learn that Washington wrongful death law only allows certain family members to recover for a wrongful death of a loved one. In most fatal accident cases, recovery is limited to a surviving spouse and children. In some death cases the decedent’s surviving siblings and parents may also have separate claims if they are financially dependent on the decedent at the time of death.

A wrongful death or survival action is one of the more complex types of cases in the field of personal injury law. These cases require a thorough knowledge and understanding of Washington’s complex wrongful death and survival laws and the numerous appellate decisions that interpret and define them. These cases almost always involve complex legal issues or questions where the outcomes are heavily, if not completely, influenced by the individual facts of the case. In most cases, a wrongful death action requires urgent investigation and preparation to increase the chances of a favorable outcome. Furthermore, this type of case often requires a substantial outlay of financial resources (many times exceeding six figures) to hire appropriate experts, properly prepare and successfully present the case either to an insurance company or a jury. 

FREE Wrongful Death Legal Consultation

Call 206-727-4000 now for a FREE legal consultation regarding your wrongful death case.  We have meeting space in Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island and Renton to serve accident victims all over Washington State. 

Yes, we can arrange to have someone come to you if you are unable to visit one of our our offices. 

Wrongful Death Attorneys in the State of Washington 

We can help whether you live in Auburn, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bremerton, Cascade, Edmonds, Everett, Federal Way, Kennewick, Kent, Kirkland, Lakewood, Longview, Olympia, Redmond, Renton, Richland, Seattle, Shoreline, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Yakima or the greater Seattle area. Having substantial experience with wrongful death claims and often trying these kinds of cases in court, the Davis Law Group has the skill and expertise necessary to help you.

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Blog for Wrongful Death

• Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney Chris Davis Interviewed on CNN

  Description: On March 20,2009 producers from CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 contacted Davis Law Group founder Chris Davis to ask his opinion on the circumstances surrounding the death of movie and Broadway actress Natasha Richardson. Richardson died on March 18th after a traumatic brain injury during a skiing accident at a Canadian ski resort.

• Wrongful Death Lawyer in Seattle

  Description: What role does the employer-employee relationship play in a wrongful death case in Washington state? How do I know if I need a lawyer?

• One Dead After Car Hits Tree On SR-8 | Seattle Injury Lawyer

  Description: A single-car crash Sunday afternoon on State Route 8 near Summit Lake, left an Enumclaw man dead and an Auburn woman facing possible vehicular homicide charges.

• Two Killed in Roll-Over on Interstate 90 | Seattle Injury Lawyer

  Description: According to Washington State Patrol, a vehicle was traveling west near milepost 34 on Interstate 90 near North Bend when it rolled over at about 7:30 a.m., Tuesday morning.

• One Death in Fatal Aurora Crash | Seattle Wrongful Death Lawyer

  Description: A passenger was killed in a fatal car accident on Aurora Avenue Monday morning. The driver was released from the hospital after he was treated for his injuries.

• Pierce County Motorcycle Fatality | Wrongful Death Lawyer, Washington

  Description: A motorcyclist was killed in a car accident in Pierce County on Highway 7 Sunday around 3:30 a.m. after he was hit by a drunk driver.

• Elderly Woman dies from Pedestrian Accident Injuries | Renton Wrongful Death Lawyer

  Description: An elderly woman died from accident injuries in Seattle when she was hit on the sidewalk by a driver suspected to be under the influence Monday in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

• Judge Dismisses Wrongful Death suit from 2007 Shooting

  Description: A judge in Crandon, Wisconsin has ruled that the city of Crandon cannot be held responsible for the actions of former police who killed six and wounded a seventh.

• Understanding Wrongful Death Law | Washington State Law | Seattle Attorney

  Description: Watch this Avvo webinar featuring Seattle attorney Chris Davis to get an overview of Washington State's wrongful death laws.

• Construction Accident Death at Kitsap-Bangor Naval Base l Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney

  Description: A construction worker was fatally injured in an accident at the Kitsap-Bangor Naval Base the afternoon of March 19, 2010.

• Press Release - Grieving Families Have A New Legal Resource

  Description: Seattle wrongful death attorney Chris Davis has authored a new book to help families of wrongful death victims understand their legal rights. Wrongful Death in Washington State: The Essential Guide To Wrongful Death Law in Washington State will help families navigate the legal process when a loved one has been killed due to negligence.

• Checklist for Planning a Funeral In Seattle, Washington - Wrongful Death Lawyer

  Description: Planning a funeral in Seattle after a tragic accident? Use this checklist. Click here to find information on funeral homes in the Seattle area and information about planning a funeral.

• More information for surviving families of wrongful death victims in Washington State.

  Description: More excellent information and recourses for surviving families of wrongful death victims in Washington State.

• Useful Information About Washington State Wrongful Death Law - Seattle Attorney

  Description: Information on Washington State's wrongful death laws.

• Washington State Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Cases

  Description: In Washington State a wrongful death lawsuit must be settled or filed in court within a certain period of time. This period or deadline is often called the statute of limitations. Depending on the jurisdiction, the statute of limitations may begin to run on the date of death, upon discovery of the person’s cause of death, or upon discovery of the defendant’s negligent conduct.

• Choosing the right Seattle Washington child wrongful death attorney.

  Description: Selecting an attorney in a wrongful death case involving a minor child is very important. The attorney should have experience settling or litigating wrongful death cases to verdict. One challenging aspect of a case involving the wrongful death of a child is proving the amount of damages that the parents and the estate may be entitled to receive

• The Wrongful Death Insurance Claims Process - Seattle Lawyer

  Description: The wrongful death insurance claims process and the negotiation and settlement of a wrongful death case may be more difficult than ever due to the current economic environment. In times of an economic recession or a slow economic period, the insurance industry may aggressively resist or defend a wrongful death case to avoid paying out a reasonable settlement or verdict.

• Muslim Burial Customs - Washington State Wrongful Death

  Description: In the Muslim tradition, bodies are buried as soon as possible after the death. They are not cremated. Almost immediately after the death, the body of the lost loved one must be washed. This usually occurs within hours of death. The people washing the body are typically of the same gender and are usually immediate family members. This process is meant to clean the body before it is buried.

• The Jewish Shiva - Seattle Wrongful Death Lawyer

  Description: If your loved one was Jewish, you will likely plan a Shiva. Shiva is one of the most prominent customs for bereavement in Judaism. While traditional Orthodox Shivas last for seven days, your family’s observance and that of your loved one will dictate how long the Shiva will be and which customs you will observe during this time.

• The Memorial Service l Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney

  Description: A memorial service can be held anywhere. Many people have chosen to conduct a memorial service at a favorite place of the deceased. This can include a favorite park, a family home, church, synagogue, or even a restaurant.

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Library for Wrongful Death:

• 5 Dead, 2 Injured in Anacortes Oil Refinery Blast
  Description: 5 people were killed and 2 were injured as a result of an oil refinery explosion on Friday April 2, at 12:30 am. Maintenance crews were working the get the bank of boilers ready to resume operation when the blast occurred.
• The Evolution of the Obituary: Classic traditions and new trends in memorializing your loved one. [PDF]
  Description: Classic traditions and new trends in memorializing your loved one.
• Funeral Homes, Funeral Services, Mortuaries in Seattle, Washington
  Description: Planning a funeral in Seattle after a tragic accident? Here is a quick list of funeral homes in the Seattle Washington area.
• The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer in a Wrongful Death Case
  Description: No wrongful death case should ever be filed or pursued without the assistance of a qualified wrongful death attorney.
• Preparing for a Wrongful Death Trial
  Description: If the case does not settle after discovery and ADR or mediation has failed, then the case may proceed to trial. Each side has the option of trying the case before a judge or jury. Depending on the jurisdiction, a jury trial may not happen automatically.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution or Mediation in Wrongful Death Cases
  Description: Depending on the jurisdiction and the complexity of a wrongful death case, the discovery phase in litigation may take many months or sometimes even years. When discovery is finally completed, and each side generally knows what evidence will likely be offered at trial, the parties may then begin to conduct settlement discussions.
• Wrongful Death Expert Witnesses
  Description: After a wrongful death case has been filed in court, it will often require the assistance of expert testimony to help the attorney prove one or more elements of the action. Since wrongful death cases can involve many different issues that are often complex and difficult to prove, an experienced wrongful death attorney will usually want to engage the assistance of one or more experts early on in the case.
• Wrongful Death Lawsuit: The Discovery Process
  Description: After the wrongful death lawsuit is filed and the defendant is properly and timely served, both sides participate in a process of exchanging information about the case. This process is known as discovery. There are many different forms of discovery, or different ways to request or obtain information from the other side in a case. In Washington state, the rules governing the discovery process are quite broad and allow each side to investigate what evidence and witnesses may be introduced at trial. Even if the requested information does not appear directly relevant to the case, it may still be a proper request if it may lead to the discovery of relevant information.
• Wrongful Death Suit Against a Governmental Entity in Washington State
  Description: Sometimes a wrongful death claim may exist against a governmental entity, like a town or city, municipality, county, or the state. It may not be immediately apparent that the defendant is a governmental entity (e.g., a transit or utility company) but it is very important to understand that many jurisdictions, including the state of Washington, have specific pre-filing laws for when a claim or lawsuit may be brought against a governmental entity.
• Damage Factors in Common Wrongful Death Claims
  Description: Let’s now look at different family relationships to help you get a feel for the interaction between the family relationship each claimant had with the deceased along with the elements of compensation which might be available under Washington law. Keep in mind the application of the other seven factors in determining the value of your case. As always, consulting with an experienced wrongful death attorney will help you determine how these factors may impact your claim.
• Wrongful Death Damages Recoverable by the Beneficiaries in Washingon
  Description: Only certain designated surviving relatives may recover individual damages for the death of a loved one. In Washington, those relatives will include a surviving spouse or registered domestic partner, a child or stepchild, or a financially dependent sibling or parent.
• The Specific Damages Recoverable in a Washington Wrongful Death Case
  Description: Washington law states that only certain types of damages may be recoverable in a wrongful death case. The deceased’s estate may recover damages. Certain designated beneficiaries of the estate (e.g., a surviving spouse or child, or a sibling or parent financially dependent on the deceased) may also recover damages. Generally, the damages are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages usually refer to those damages that are easier to calculate, like lost earnings, medical expenses, and other forms of compensatory damages. Non-economic damages usually refer to the subjective losses, like pain, suffering, grief, mental anguish, and the loss of the relationship with the deceased.
• The Eight Factors Which Determine The Value Of A Wrongful Death Case
  Description: In reading through the different factors that may affect the expected outcome of your case, you may be disheartened. You may not agree with the factors or wonder why something entirely outside of a family’s control has any relevance at all in a wrongful death case. I understand how you feel and most people who suffer the loss of a family member feel the same way. Unfortunately, we can't change these factors or the law itself. But I can tell you that my goal is to educate Washington citizens about the factors which may influence the value of a wrongful death case.
• Washington’s Law on the Wrongful Death of a Child
  Description: Washington State authorizes a parent to recover damages for the loss of a minor child, as long as the parent has regularly contributed to the support of the child. The requirement that a parent must regularly contribute to the support of the child has been a recent change to the law. This change was made to prevent a parent (oftentimes, the father) who never or rarely supported the child during the child’s lifetime from profiting financially from the child’s death.
• The Wrongful Death Settlement Demand Package
  Description: By providing a comprehensive and persuasive settlement demand package, you are helping the insurance adjustor build his or her file so that the company can justify paying out a large settlement. Providing a comprehensive and persuasive settlement demand package gives the insurance company a number of reasons for settling the claim immediately and fairly rather than going to court. Keep in mind that an experienced attorney knows how the present the package in an appropriate way so that the information increases the change of a favorable settlement. A “do it yourself” approach to this step could provide the insurance company with information that can help THEIR case.
• How Wrongful Death Claims Are Evaluated
  Description: Statistically, more than 95% of all wrongful death claims are settled prior to trial, either during the claims process or during litigation before the trial. A fair and reasonable settlement may be successfully negotiated if your claim is properly documented, presented, and argued to the insurance adjustor.
• Insurance Benefits and Coverage Available In Wrongful Death Claims
  Description: There are different types of insurance benefits that may be available to you or other surviving family members if the death of your loved one is caused by a motor vehicle accident
• Children as Wrongful Death Beneficiaries
  Description: If the deceased has minor children, then they are considered beneficiaries of the estate and a wrongful death action is pursued on behalf of the children. When minor children are involved, they will have a claim for expected contributions that the deceased parent would have made to them until age 18 – the age of majority in Washington state.
• Wrongful Death Action Brought by Personal Representative
  Description: To bring a wrongful death case, a person called a “Personal Representative” (PR) must first be appointed by the court on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. The PR is the only person who can file and prosecute a wrongful death action. A separate document (called a petition) must be filed in court which asks the judge to specifically appoint the PR. Oftentimes, the PR may also be a wrongful death beneficiary, like a surviving spouse or adult child. If the court accepts the person designated as the PR, then an order is entered giving that person all of the rights and obligations that come with this position.
• Washington State Wrongful Death Law: Civil vs. Criminal Responsibility
  Description: A person who causes a wrongful death in Washington State may be criminally responsible. For this to occur, the wrongdoer’s conduct must be worse than ordinary negligence. Usually, the wrongdoer must act intentionally or recklessly to be guilty of a crime. If criminal liability exists, the wrongdoer is punished with jail time and/or fines.

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Frequent Questions for Wrongful Death:

• The insurance company sent a representative to a family member's funeral after a fatal accident.  Is this normal?
• Does Washington State have a vehicular homicide law? 
• A relative was killed in an accident in the King County / Seattle-area. I live outside of Washington State and need to try to manage a legal action from where I live. What should I do? What kind of lawyer do I need to find?
• What can/may a wrongful death attorney do for me and my fatal accident case?
• Is the contingency fee different in a wrongful death case?

• Who has the authority to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Washington State?  Surviving family members?  Children?

• Can someone collect damages for grief, sorrow & mental anguish over death of a loved one?

• Can a parent collect damages (financial compensation) for the wrongful death of an adult (over the age of 18) child?

• Can a parent collect damages (financial compensation) for the wrongful death of a child?

• What about the wrongful death of a fetus?

• What is the 'Family Car Doctrine'?

• What is the 'Principal-Agent Relationship'?
• What role does the employer-employee relationship play in a wrongful death case?
• How does a wrongful death insurance claim work?
• How do I file a claim in a wrongful death case?
• What is a Survival Action?

• What is the Statute of Limitations for a Wrongful Death Claim in Washington State?

• What if a loved one has been killed as the result of an accident that was not their fault?

• What type of damages (types of compensation) are recoverable in a wrongful death lawsuit?

• What is a "survival action" in the context of a wrongful death claim?

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Case Results for Wrongful Death:

• $4,000,000 Settlement in Wrongful Death Case

Awarded: $4,000,000

• $1.5 Million Wrongful Death Settlement

Awarded: $1,500,000 Settlement

• $1,085,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

Awarded: $1,085,000

• $1,000,000 Settlement in Wrongful Death at Nursing Home

Awarded: $1,000,000 Settlement Nursing Home Death

• $585,000 Settlement for death of 72 year-old man

Awarded: $585,000

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Videos about Wrongful Death:

• Seattle Children's Hospital Admits Medical Mistake | Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney
• $4 Million Settlement in Wrongful Death Case - Seattle Attorney Chris Davis on KOMO4
• Accidental Death of Natasha Richardson - CNN Interview of Seattle Attorney Chris Davis
• Understanding Washington Wrongful Death Law | Seattle Lawyer
• What is a wrongful death case worth? | Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney
• Wrongful Death Cases In Washington State | Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney

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Web Resources for Wrongful Death:

• Recovery for wrongful death: economic handbook (book)
• Assessing Family Loss in Wrongful Death Litigation: The Special Roles of Lost Services and Personal Consumption (CD-ROM)
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Damages Calculations: The Ongoing Story (book)
• Evaluating and Reserving Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Cases (book)
• Computing Economic Loss in Cases of Wrongful Death (book)
• The Washington Legislature's Recent Session: No Decision on Wrongful Death (news story)

  Description: The Senate and House were unable to agree on a measure that would let the family members of a child file a wrongful death claim if they were financially dependent or involved in raising the child.

• Supreme Court of Washington Blog: Wrongful Death and Blood Tests (blog)

  Description: The Supreme Court of Washington's blog on a Wrongful Death case last that took place last fall

• The Legal Definition of Wrongful Death (legal dictionary)
• Under Washington Law, Parents Are Unable to Recover Losses for Wrongful Death (news story)

  Description: Parents in Washington State are unable to recover financial losses in a Wrongful Death case unless they are financially dependant on their child.

• Funerals Today (magazine)

  Description: Funerals Today is the first magazine geared toward educating the public about the funeral industry. The publication's is to Educate, Enlighten and Entertain.
  

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FREE Wrongful Death Legal Consultation

Contact us now for a FREE legal consultation regarding your wrongful death case.  We have offices in Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island and Renton to serve accident victims all over Washington State.

Yes, we can arrange to have someone come to you if you are unable to visit one of our our offices.
  


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Free Consultation