The unexpected death of a loved one is a tragedy. However, when a reckless or negligent entity is responsible for this senseless loss, the pain can be even more severe. It’s natural to feel angry at the at-fault party, as their failure led to the inexplicable loss of your loved one. Wrongful death claims in Washington allow you to seek justice for your loved one as well as recover financially from their loss.
If someone else’s negligence or recklessness took your loved one’s life, you might have the legal option to pursue compensation. While nothing will bring your loved one back, taking steps to hold the party legally and financially responsible for their actions may support your healing process during this challenging time. Reach out to NBF Accident Law to discuss your situation with a compassionate and dedicated wrongful death attorney.
Common Wrongful Death Claims
The causes for wrongful death claims are endless, as there are dozens of situations to which this could apply. However, there are some more common situations that often result in wrongful death case settlements, such as:
- Vehicle accidents: In many vehicle collisions, there is usually an at-fault party who was somehow responsible for the actions that led to the collision. Vehicle accidents can come with deadly consequences, especially if the at-fault driver was behaving recklessly or driving under the influence
- Product defects: Consumer products injure millions of Americans every year, sometimes even resulting in fatalities. Products may be defective by design, built negligently, or do not provide adequate warnings that help to keep consumers safe
- Workplace accidents: Dozens of work-related incidents result in workers sustaining fatal injuries every year, which is another common category of wrongful death lawsuits. Workplaces have the responsibility to keep workers safe, but they do not always take the necessary steps to do so.
If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you need to speak with a Seattle wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer for a wrongful death suit can help you gather evidence for your claim, negotiate with the involved parties, and take them to court if necessary. In many instances, receiving compensation is critical for recovering after the loss of a loved one if you need to replace a lost income or pay for medical or burial bills.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Washington State
In Washington state, a wrongful death claim may be filed by the deceased individual’s spouse, domestic partner, children, stepchildren, or personal representative. If the deceased individual did not have a spouse or children, their parents or siblings might pursue a wrongful death claim. In cases where the decedent was under the age of 18, either parent may file a claim as well.
The compensation awarded in a wrongful death claim may be used to assist with a number of costs, including final medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, lost inheritance, loss of care, loss of companionship, and the deceased person’s pain and suffering before death. Claimants have three years from the date the death occurred in which to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Although some wrongful death lawsuits are quite straightforward and easy to prove, this isn’t always the case. To ensure that your case is successful and the at-fault parties are held responsible for their negligence, you need to hire one of the top wrongful death attorneys in Seattle, Washington.
How a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Seattle Can Help
The senseless and sudden loss of a loved one often causes lasting financial and emotional strife for their family and friends. Not only must you cope with the economic impacts of their death, but you must navigate your feelings of loss, depression, despair, and grief that accompany this tragedy.
Taking the additional step to hire a wrongful death attorney in Seattle not only takes some of the stress off your shoulders but can also help you have more support during this process. An attorney will act as your advocate, handling most of the legal aspects of a wrongful death claim. They will also ensure that you understand what your rights are and the type of settlement you are entitled to.
A Seattle wrongful death lawyer will help you navigate the complexities of wrongful death laws in Washington, especially when it comes to proving more difficult claims. Your attorney will also safeguard you from accepting lowball settlement offers and take the at-fault parties to court if necessary to get the compensation you need.
