Wrongful Death Lawyers in Everett, WA
Our Everett wrongful death lawyers can help if you have tragically lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or fault. Losing a loved one is always traumatic, but there’s something especially distressing about knowing that this tragedy could have been prevented. It’s only natural to experience grief and anger after losing a spouse or child because of somebody else’s negligence.
If you have lost a loved one in this tragic manner, you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. While no amount of money can bring your loved one back, fair compensation through Washington’s legal system can bring a sense of justice, pay bills such as medical expenses and funeral costs, and remove your financial burdens to help you and your family rebuild your lives.
Negligent parties should be held accountable for the misdeeds that lead to preventable death, but navigating the legal system is complicated. At this difficult time, when working through your grief and helping your family cope with your bereavement is your first priority, a lawsuit is not something you want to deal with alone.
Fortunately, there is help available from the compassionate Everett wrongful death lawyers at Strong Law. Our firm has extensive experience helping families who have tragically suffered the wrongful death of a loved one, and we understand what you are going through. Let us handle all the legal hurdles, paperwork, negotiations, and court appearances involved with getting justice and compensation, so you can concentrate on your family’s needs and recovery.
Why Choose Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in Everett?
Not every law firm is equal, and you should do research to find the one that feels best for you. Here are some very good reasons we feel you should choose Strong Law to represent you.
- Attorney Jed Strong, the founder of our firm, previously worked for GEICO, so we know how to counteract the techniques insurers use to try to limit the settlement options for victims.
- We are licensed to practice in Washington, Oregon, and Utah to better serve all your case needs.
- We get results. We have a success rate of 98% for cases we conclude.
- We have won millions of dollars for our clients, including a $1.5 million premises liability case for wrongful death.
- We offer free initial consultations to get you started.
- We treat our clients like family, and their testimonials show it.
The Everett wrongful death attorneys of Strong Law are here to support you every step of the way. If you’re ready to move forward with your wrongful death case, you’ll begin by meeting with our trusted legal team. We’ll discuss the specifics of your case to get a better sense of your situation, your goals, and your preferred legal approach. From there, we customize our service so as to best meet your unique needs.
When you have us on your side we will:
- Evaluate the facts of how the death occurred to see if a wrongful death case is warranted, what it may be worth, and what parties may be responsible.
- Conduct investigations to gather evidence such as videos from surveillance cameras, and police, ambulance, and medical reports and documents, and interviews with witnesses and first responders.
- Hire experts to reconstruct the accident and provide testimony as to how it occurred, who was at fault, and how the loss of your loved one affects your family’s lives.
- File all paperwork and handle all legal procedures and court appearances in accordance with Washington law
- Handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies and opposition lawyers.
- Build your case and take it to trial if necessary and argue in front of a judge or jury.
Our Strong Law attorneys will communicate and work with you throughout the entire process, answering your questions and concerns and informing you of all progress of your case. Our mission is to use our best skills to capture the best outcome for our clients. Let us show you what we can do for you in your free, no-obligation consultation. Call today at 206-741-1051.
Damages Our Everett Wrongful Death Attorneys May Recover
Who May File for Wrongful Death Damages?
In Washington, wrongful death is defined as occurring when “the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another.” (Wash. Rev. Code § 4.20.010 (2021)) In cases where it can be shown that another party was legally at fault for the wrongful death, the law allows for the deceased’s personal representative to file an action to receive both economic and noneconomic damages sustained by the beneficiaries listed in RCW 4.20.020. Beneficiaries include the spouse, state-registered domestic partner, child or children, including stepchildren, of the deceased. In cases where there are no such beneficiaries, the wrongful death action may be brought for the benefit of the parents or siblings of the deceased.
In addition, according to Wash. Rev. Code § 4.24.010 , a parent or legal guardian is allowed to file a claim for the death of a child under certain conditions. These are:
- If the child has no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children; the child is under 18 years old; and the parent has regularly contributed to the child’s support.
- If the child was 18 years of age or older, and the parent or legal guardian has had “significant involvement” in the life of the adult child, such as giving psychological or financial support near the time of the incident causing death.
What is Included in a Damage Award?
In a successful Washington lawsuit, our wrongful death attorneys can win a damage award that will ease the financial burdens for surviving family members. These forms of compensation recognize both practical expenses and the emotional burden of losing a loved one and include:
- Funeral and burial costs. Expenses tied to funeral services can add up quickly, leaving family members struggling to get by even as they handle rapidly rising health care costs. To ease this burden, wrongful death damages may cover everything from caskets to funeral home rental.
- Lost wages. Victims in wrongful death cases are often primary breadwinners. Their death can create a significant financial burden for spouses, partners, and children, who may not be able to cover basic life necessities without the decedent’s income. Wrongful death compensation acknowledges this by providing the funds needed for loved ones to get back on their feet.
- Loss of consortium. The loss of a family member isn’t simply traumatic due to financial concerns, although, of course, these can be difficult to endure. Far worse, however, is the emotional trauma that comes with losing the support and affection that the victim previously provided. These losses can be accounted for in Washington wrongful death cases. Known as “loss of consortium,” these concerns may not be as tangible as funeral expenses, but that doesn’t make them any less important to recover.
- The loss of the deceased’s love, care, affection, companionship, and training.
- The value of lost household services the deceased would have provided.
Everett Wrongful Death Lawyers Must Prove Negligence
To win your case, our Everett wrongful death attorneys will have to prove that the defendant in the case was at fault and negligent, and this negligence caused the death of your loved one. This means showing the following legal elements.
- The defendant owed a duty of care to your loved one not to cause harm.
- The defendant breached that duty by actions or failure to act.
- This negligent or unlawful behavior led to your loved one’s death.
- You suffered damages as a result
All this can be difficult to prove, in part because the victim is not available to provide testimony. Instead, attorneys must rely on medical records, police reports, and other evidence. A thorough understanding of local statutes is critical for overcoming the many barriers that exist in Everett wrongful death cases.
In some cases, there will be more than one party whose actions or inactions led to the death. When you have our wrongful death lawyers on your side, we will get to work immediately to conduct investigations and hire experts so we can locate all potential defendants and hold them liable as they all may have insurance and assets that can go toward a settlement.
Everett Wrongful Death Attorneys Answer Common Questions
Our wrongful death lawyers are aware that after a loved one’s death you may have many questions and concerns, all while you also deal with your grief. Being better informed may help set your mind at ease about moving forward with a wrongful death lawsuit. The following are answers to common questions our clients often ask:
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Is there a deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Washington State?
Washington has a deadline, called a statute of limitations, for filing a wrongful death lawsuit, which is generally three years from the date of the person’s death. According to the statute, Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080(2) (2021), if the case is not filed within three years, the court will almost certainly refuse to hear it.
Keep in mind, however, that the statute of limitations for wrongful death involves the date of the fatality and not the accident itself. This is an important distinction, as victims can pass away weeks or even months after being involved in an accident. It’s important to work with a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your case can proceed.
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Is wrongful death a criminal case?
No. While under some circumstances, the defendant in a wrongful death case may also face criminal charges such as manslaughter or murder, a wrongful death case is a civil case filed for damages or compensation to the deceased person’s surviving heirs.
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Are punitive damages available for Everett wrongful death cases?
Punitive damages are available in Washington in rare situations that involve extreme recklessness or malicious intent. The purpose is to punish responsible parties for the suffering caused by their negligence and to deter this type of behavior in the future.
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Do I need an attorney to file a wrongful death case?
Laws regarding wrongful death are complicated in Washington, and making mistakes can be costly. The opposition’s attorneys will try to prove that the death was not wrongful, and you are therefore not entitled to compensation. That is why it’s important to have an attorney familiar with the tactics they use and the law to fight for justice and the compensation you and your family deserves.
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How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death attorney?
The good news is that our attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing up front. Your initial consultation is free, and there are no costs to you unless and until we win your case. At that time, any legal fees are taken out of the settlement you receive.
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What is a survival action? How does it differ from a wrongful death lawsuit?
A survival action looks similar to a wrongful death lawsuit in several respects but holds a key difference: it involves the actions a deceased individual could have taken in a personal injury lawsuit, had he or she not died. Often, survival cases center around medical bills that arrived between the time of the accident and the victim’s death. This designation further complicates an already confusing process, making it especially important to seek legal counsel.
Our Everett wrongful death lawyers are here to answer all your questions. Call us today for your free consultation.
Types of Wrongful Death Cases
A variety of negligent activities and behaviors can lead to the untimely loss of a loved one. These can be attributed to both businesses and individuals. They may occur at business premises, medical facilities, or on the road and may result from unsafe settings or products. Common examples include:
- Nursing home abuse. Negligence and mistreatment are tragically common in nursing homes and other residential facilities. Wrongful death cases may involve either purposeful actions — such as the use of excessive restraint — or inaction, leading to anything from starvation to deadly infections.
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. If a crash occurs due to speeding, drinking while driving, or other reckless behaviors, the driver may be held responsible. Likewise, wrongful death cases can involve vehicle manufacturers, as was famously the case for the Ford Pinto.
- Slip and fall. Grocery stores, gas stations, and a variety of other businesses expose patrons to considerable danger when they fail to maintain safe surfaces that minimize the risk of tripping or slipping. Unfortunately, puddles, uneven floorboards, torn carpet, and ice are all common causes of falls. When these problems lead to broken hips or concussions, they can prove deadly.
- Medical malpractice. Wrongful death is tragically common within medical facilities, where negligent healthcare professionals can leave patients prone to a variety of deadly problems. These include misdiagnosis, improper prescriptions, surgical errors, or hospital-acquired infections. When vulnerable patients are involved, even seemingly minor errors may lead to preventable fatalities.
Call Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Everett, WA, for Help
No matter the circumstances of your loved one’s passing, you can benefit from the assistance of our wrongful death lawyers in Everett. Our attorneys can help you gather critical evidence to demonstrate that responsible parties acted negligently and that the negligent behavior was to blame for the victim’s death.
Our Everett wrongful death lawyers can make all the difference when it comes to navigating Washington’s legal system. Proactive, aggressive representation is crucial. Without it, you risk missing out on much-needed damages. What’s more, a lack of legal assistance may leave you struggling to find a sense of justice or closure. Our Everett wrongful death attorneys can deliver all this and more.
Along the way, our lawyers will provide the confidence and compassion needed to make the legal process a little less stressful. You’ll feel far better knowing that you can turn to our wrongful death attorneys with any questions you may have. With Strong Law as your resource, you’ll receive prompt, accurate answers.
Strong Law has offices in Everett, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Salt Lake City, Utah. We are highly respected in all three of these metro areas, as well as in surrounding suburbs and other nearby communities. Clients appreciate our tireless devotion. We won’t rest until we’ve secured the damages you deserve.
If you’re ready to move forward with your wrongful death case in Everett, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Strong Law. Our wrongful death lawyers can get you pointed in the right direction during your free consultation. Call 206-741-1051 today.