Everett Wrongful Death Lawyers

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:

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.