GTH attorneys secure justice for the wrongful death of a loved one
When you are faced with the devastating loss of a loved one, you might suspect negligence.
Wrongful death lawsuits are filed on behalf of loved ones in multiple practice areas of the law. From vehicle accidents, medical malpractice to product liability, families may file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit to investigate the preventable death of a loved one.
Our wrongful death attorneys at GTH have more than a century of expertise investigating and litigating wrongful death claims across Puget Sound. We have law offices in Tacoma and Seattle to review your case. We offer a free consultation so your family members and loved ones can meet with our legal team to get the answers you deserve during this difficult time.
You have the right to secure justice and accountability for your loss under the law. Washington state’s wrongful death law grants legal rights to beneficiaries and surviving family members. You have the legal right to fair compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
When you schedule your initial consultation, our experienced wrongful death attorneys will walk you through all of your legal options and what to expect every step of the way.
Wrongful death law is designed to hold negligent persons, organizations or entities responsible for the wrongful death of a person accountable under the law. Washington’s wrongful death statute authorizes the Personal Representative of the Estate to pursue wrongful death suits against the wrongdoer for damages sustained by the beneficiaries, such as spouses, children, or parents, as a result of the decedent’s death. A wrongful death action is for the benefit of the statutory heirs, such as children, spouse, or parents.
Washington’s special survival statute compensates the decedent’s estate for the personal injury damages the decedent would have claimed if they had survived.
If a loved one is killed on the job, the Department of Labor & Industries will investigate the case and deliver compensation. Workers’ compensation attorneys can advise loved ones on such personal injury claims. However, wrongful death lawsuits involving workers’ killed on the job may involve third parties that contributed to the preventable death of a loved one. For these reasons, it is important to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney who can advise you on your legal options.
Surviving family members and beneficiaries have legal rights to receive economic and non-economic damages for the loss of their loved one. The legal system in the state of Washington has a statute of limitations to file a wrongful death lawsuit from three years from the date of the decedent’s death.
Fair compensation for beneficiaries can include children, step children, spouses, parents, personal representatives, domestic partners and other surviving family members.
Damages in a wrongful death action include losses of the decedent’s companionship and society, services, care and attention, protection and advice.
Damages in a survival action include economic losses caused to the decedent’s estate by the decedent’s death, such as loss of earnings and funeral expenses, as well as non-economic damages for the pain and suffering, anxiety, emotional distress, or humiliation personal to and suffered by the deceased prior to their death.
Wrongful death and survival claim attorneys work with a team of experts, including economists, to determine the true value of your claim to ensure you receive fair compensation. Responsible parties and insurance companies will likely dispute or challenge liability and compensation. Retaining an experienced wrongful death lawyer to review your case is important to protect your legal rights and compensation.
Economic damages in a wrongful death claim or wrongful death lawsuit may include:
- Financial burdens as the result of losing a spouse or loved one who provided financial support through salary and benefits
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills
- Loss of value of services such as child care, home maintenance or expected asset accumulation
Non-economic damages in wrongful death and survival action cases may include:
- Loss of the decedent’s companionship, services, care and attention, protection, and advice due to their premature death
- Pain and suffering the decedent may have suffered prior to death
- Emotional distress
Wrongful death claims and lawsuits are complex and often challenged by responsible parties and insurance companies who want to delay or deny your claim.
Experienced law firms have the legal teams to fight for you. Getting the best legal advice starts with scheduling a free consultation with a GTH Seattle or Tacoma wrongful death attorney.
Personal injury attorneys understand the stakes that families of wrongful death cases face when filing a lawsuit. Attorneys have the power to subpoena records, witnesses and wrongdoers to investigate your case.
Whether you lost a loved one from a car accident, negligence, or medical malpractice, wrongful death claims require the expertise of an experienced personal injury lawyer to secure the maximum compensation for your claim.
At GTH, our expert wrongful death lawyers do not get paid unless we deliver a strong legal outcome for you.
Washington Attorneys
Clients who consult with wrongful death attorneys early are more likely to secure stronger legal outcomes because they benefit from the legal advice of an experienced legal team.
We help aggrieved loved ones across Puget Sound take the necessary steps so we can investigate their case while they focus on grieving and recovery.
By scheduling a free consultation at a GTH Seattle or Tacoma law office today, you are taking the first important step in protecting your legal rights. After meeting with the GTH legal team, you will have peace of mind knowing our top wrongful death lawyers are fighting for you and your lost loved one.
FAQs about Washington state’s wrongful death law
Washington state’s wrongful death and survival action law covers a broad spectrum of legal cases. Thousands of innocent people are killed each year from car accidents, negligent medical treatments, dangerous products, negligent state agencies & corporations, and unlawful or reckless behavior.
Wrongful death claims can involve:
- Medical negligence
- Car accidents
- Defective highway design
- Dangerous or defective consumer products
- Deadly E.coli (food) poisoning
- Motorcycle accidents
- Negligent state agencies involving cases of child services or parole violators
- Premise liability (dangerous/hidden property hazards)
- Product liability
If you have a question about your case or if you think your case has legal standing, consult with a legal team to determine your next steps. People who consult with attorneys early in the legal process are more likely to secure better legal outcomes.
Under Washington state law, cases involving employees killed on the job are investigated by the Department of Labor and Industries. The Washington state’s Department of L&I investigates claims involving injured workers and deaths and insures employers for workplace injuries.
If you have a loved one injured on the job, you will want to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
However, negligent third parties outside of the employer realm could be responsible or partially responsible for a wrongful death. It is best to consult with a wrongful death attorney who can advise you on your legal rights.
In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a new law that grants parents of adult children killed by preventable negligence legal rights under the law.
Under the new law (Senate Bill 5163), families are treated equally under the law by eliminating discrimination against parents of adult children who are unmarried and/or childless. The law also ensures parents residing outside of Washington have legal rights to hold responsible parties accountable for the wrongful death of an adult child wrongfully killed in Washington.
The new law brought Washington state in line with 47 other states that already provide legal remedies for parents of adult children killed by preventable negligence.
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GTH attends Goodwill Luncheon
GTH to attend Power Up Goodwill Luncheon
