Seattle Wrongful Death Lawyer

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Did you recently lose a loved one in a fatal accident in Seattle, WA? The experienced Seattle wrongful death lawyers at Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight for compensation during this difficult time. Call us at 206-727-4000 or fill out this online form to schedule a free consultation.

Our lawyers are dedicated to helping grieving families recover full compensation for medical bills, loss of financial support, pain, suffering, and more. We have decades of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of our clients. Let us help you secure justice for the loss of your loved one.

Why Should I Hire Davis Law Group to Help Me With My Wrongful Death Claim in Seattle?

After the death of a loved one in Seattle, Washington, you deserve a lawyer who understands how high the stakes are. You’re dealing with an overwhelming loss, and your family may be struggling financially. You deserve just compensation from the people who are responsible for your suffering.

At Davis Law Group, our legal team has extensive experience and significant case results. Moreover, members of our legal team have been recognized by prestigious legal organizations, such as The National Trial Lawyers, Top American Lawyers, and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

We are known for offering compassionate legal representation.

An Overview of Washington’s Wrongful Death Laws

Under Washington state’s wrongful death laws, a “wrongful death” is one that is caused by someone else’s “wrongful act, neglect, or default.” Wrongful death cases are brought when the victim could have filed a personal injury case but did not survive the injuries.

Wrongful death cases can involve both criminal and civil charges. The remedy for civil charges is financial compensation. For example, when a drunk driver causes a fatal accident, they can be charged with a DUI. The surviving family can also sue for damages in civil court.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Washington?

In Washington, the decedent’s personal representative actually files the action for wrongful death. When a decedent has a will, the personal representative is typically named in the will. If the decedent did not have a will or did not name a representative, the court will appoint one.

That said, the damages in a wrongful death case are for the benefit of certain surviving family members, including:

• A spouse or state-registered domestic partner
• Children, including stepchildren
• Parents or siblings, if there is no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children

If a person dies in Washington without a surviving spouse, registered domestic partner, or children, other family members may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. If the decedent was a minor child, the parents can bring a claim, but only if they regularly contributed to the child’s support.

How Can a Seattle Wrongful Death Lawyer Help Me?

Some ways that our Seattle wrongful death attorneys can help you include:

• Protecting you from unfair allegations that your loved one caused their own death
• Calculating the value of your case with the help of top-rated experts
• Evaluating all available evidence to establish causation and liability
• Handling all paperwork and legal documents
• Aggressively negotiating with the defense and the insurance company
• Fighting to protect your family at trial if necessary

Our Seattle personal injury lawyers have handled many cases just like yours and secured significant settlements and verdicts.

To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact our law office in Seattle today to schedule a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case.

What Is My Seattle Wrongful Death Case Worth?

Cases involving fatal injuries are slightly different from your typical personal injury case. The victim has no hope of making a recovery. That means your settlement or verdict is likely to be much higher than the ordinary personal injury claim. That makes it especially important to have an experienced lawyer assess your case value before you take a settlement deal.

Relevant factors to consider include:

• The victim’s age and life expectancy at the time of death
• Your family’s out-of-pocket expenses, including medical treatment costs prior to death, and funeral and burial costs
• The decedent’s lost earning capacity, considering prior earnings, education, work history, and all relevant factors
• Your family’s pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• The decedent’s pain and suffering prior to death
• Loss of contributions to your family’s household, including childcare
• The identity of surviving children and other dependents
• The circumstances of the accident

We will carefully analyze these factors and others when calculating the value of your case.

What Types of Damages Are Available in a Washington State Wrongful Death Case?

In a successful wrongful death case, survivors can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

Some examples of the types of damages that may be available include:

• Loss of financial support
• Loss of the reasonable value of household services and childcare
• Medical bills
• Funeral costs and burial expenses
• Loss of your loved one’s love and companionship (loss of consortium)
• Loss of parental guidance, support, and training
• Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages

If the victim had no surviving spouse, partner, or children, parents can pursue compensation for:

• The child’s healthcare costs
• The child’s financial support and services
• Loss of the child’s love, emotional support, and companionship
• Loss of the parent-child relationship

We’ll make sure all your damages are accounted for when pursuing your claim.

Can I Recover Damages if My Loved One is Blamed for Causing Their Own Death in Washington?

Wrongful Death report and gavel in a court.

Washington has a pure comparative negligence law. Even if your loved one shared some fault for the accident that caused their death, your family won’t lose the right to compensation. Instead, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your lost loved one’s percentage of fault. However, if your loved one was fully responsible for their death, you won’t be entitled to any compensation.

Our lawyers in Seattle will be able to anticipate the insurance company’s attempts to blame your loved one. We’ll work hard to limit the impact these allegations have on your case and gather evidence to prove that your loved one was in no way responsible for their own death.

What Causes Most Fatal Accidents in Seattle?

Some of the most common causes of wrongful death include:

• Car accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Defective products
• Dangerous property conditions or premises liability
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Bus accidents
• Uber or Lyft accidents
• Boating accidents
• Construction accidents
• Workplace accidents
• Dog bites
• Fires and explosions
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Nursing home abuse and neglect
• Criminal assault and violence

If you’re wondering whether you have a valid wrongful death case, contact our team today. We’ll make sure you understand your legal rights and do everything possible to protect your family’s right to recover compensation.

How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation for My Loved One’s Death in Washington?

Most wrongful death actions are based on negligence. Wrongful deaths typically happen because someone failed to exercise reasonable caution under the circumstances.

Surviving family members typically must prove the following:

• The defendant owed your loved one a duty of care.
• They breached their duty.
• The breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of your loved one’s death.
• Your family suffered damages.

Our lawyers will collect and review all of the evidence that can be used to support your case. Depending on the situation, that may include police reports, medical records, statements from witnesses, and testimony from experts.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Losing a Loved One in Washington State?

Under Washington law, the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is typically three years from the date of death. After three years, you could lose your right to sue the at-fault party for damages.

Call Our Experienced Seattle Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Your family is already dealing with enough after the loss of a loved one in Seattle, WA. You shouldn’t have to bear the financial costs of someone else’s mistake. For help fighting for justice, call Davis Law Group to schedule a free consultation with one of our trusted Seattle wrongful death attorneys.