Washington Wrongful Death Lawyer
The loss of a loved one is devastating for families. The emotional trauma can make just getting through the day a real accomplishment. When a loved one has died due to the negligence of another person, families often want justice for their lost loved one.
The Max Meyers Law team can help.
Washington state law allows certain family members to make wrongful death claims against negligent persons who cause fatal accidents. Not all family members are allowed to do this, so it’s critical a victim’s family understand their legal rights before speaking to any insurance companies or accepting any settlement offers. In almost all cases, families would greatly benefit from the assistance of an experienced wrongful death attorney.
We at Max Meyers Law PLLC have handled car accident cases involving the death of a child and motorcycle accident cases involving the death of the rider. The spouse, children, or parent of a child killed in an accident often need the burden of a legal claim lifted from their shoulders. We understand you want justice for your loved one, but burden of this on your own likely seems overwhelming. The Max Meyers Law attorneys and staff have experience helping grieving families negotiate life after such a traumatic event.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident, which was caused by another driver or the negligence of another person, contact the team at Max Meyers Law at 425- 399-7000 to request a free case review and legal consultation with our attorneys.
Damages You Can Claim in a Washington Wrongful Death Lawsuit
When a person is killed because of the negligent conduct of another person, the victim’s family members have a legal right to recover damages. Certain surviving family members can make a claim for wrongful death damages directly against the negligent person or company. Here are some example of the types of damages that may be recoverable in a wrongful death lawsuit:
- Medical bills. In most cases, the hospital expects their bills will be paid despite the death of the patient. Families are often doubly hit financially in fatal accident cases. Families often lose the income of their lost loved one and then are faced with massive medical bills. An experienced wrongful death attorney can often help negotiate these bills at times and make sure health insurance, if available, covers what is required under the policy.
- Lost wages and lost future earnings. Family members who were financially dependent on the lost loved one may be able to recover damages for the loss of that financial support, for example, spouses and minor children. How much is recoverable is often based on past, current and future employment earnings of the lost loved one. The educational background and future job or career prospects can also influence the damage recovery amount.
- Pain and Suffering. Often accident victims do not die from their injuries immediately after the accident. If a victim survives for a period of time following the accident, the victim may experience significant pain and suffering during that time. When this happens, it is definitely included as part of the damages claim in a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Loss of consortium. One aspect of a lost loved one is you never have the ability to experience that one-on-one relationship with that person again. Lost companionship of a spouse or parent of a minor child can be emotionally devastating. This type of damage is recognized and can be claimed by grieving family members.
Funeral expense. A modest burial often is shockingly expense, often costing families well over ten thousand dollars. These direct damages can also be recovered in wrongful death cases.
Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death From a Washington Car Accident
There are multiple levels of priority for deciding who gets to file a lawsuit for wrongful death in Washington state. Those with first priority are:
- The surviving spouse or state-registered domestic partner
- A surviving child or step-child
- The personal representative of the decedent’s estate
If the decedent had no surviving spouse, state-registered domestic partner, child, or step-child, then others could file an action if they meet all of these requirements:
- They’re the parents or siblings of the deceased.
- They were residents of the U.S. at the time of the death.
- They depended on the deceased for support.
How Much Your Wrongful Death Claim Is Worth?
The amount of your compensation will depend on many factors, and the details are unique in every case. As a result, we sit down with you and uncover what happened, then engage in a thoughtful process of evaluating your case.
Things that can affect how much compensation you’ll receive include:
- The number of medical bills from the crash
- The earnings history and previous career potential of your deceased loved one
- Whether your loved one suffered between the time of injury and death
- Whether the at-fault driver’s behavior was shocking
- Possible negligence on the part of your loved one
Free Wrongful Death Legal Consultation
The wrongful death attorneys at Max Meyers Law are ready to review your wrongful death case for free. If we believe we can help you achieve a better outcome for your case, we will meet with you in person for a free legal consultation to discuss your case in more detail and explain why hiring an experienced lawyer is in your family’s best interest.
Contact our offices today or call us at 425-428-6052 to schedule a free consultation, we have proudly serviced clients throughout Bothell, Kirkland, and the surrounding areas.
It is important to know there are other factors that affect a person’s ability to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. It isn’t enough that a negligent person killed your loved one. You must also fall within the specific class of family members allowed to bring wrongful death claims. The Max Meyers Law attorneys will discuss the details of these requirements during your free consultation.
