The untimely death of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a person can have in life. Going through such a loss is a deeply profound experience. If you have lost someone because of another person’s negligence, our Bellevue wrongful death lawyers can hold the liable party accountable so you can begin to heal.
For nearly 25 years, Premier Law Group has helped thousands recover from their losses. Collectively, our legal team has more than 55 years of experience. Our Bellevue personal injury lawyers know how to file a winning claim. Call today for a free case review with our attorneys.
What Constitutes Wrongful Death in Washington State?
Under RCW 4.20.010, wrongful death occurs when someone’s life is taken due to the wrongful acts, negligence, or failure of another. Negligence happens when someone fails to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm to others, resulting in injuries or fatalities.
Wrongful death cases frequently stem from careless or reckless actions. However, wrongful death is a civil matter, not a criminal offense. Even if the party responsible is facing criminal charges, you can pursue a case in civil court.
This remains true even if the accused is not convicted in a criminal case. In a criminal trial, guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
By contrast, civil cases determine liability by a preponderance of the evidence. The burden of proof is lower in a civil case. The plaintiff only needs to show that it is more likely than not that the defendant wrongfully caused the death.
Work With an Experienced Wrongful Death Law Firm in Bellevue
Wrongful death can result from a wide range of situations where negligence or wrongful actions lead to the loss of life. Our experienced team of lawyers is ready to handle your wrongful death claim with care and dedication.
Our Bellevue legal team includes many different legal professionals, including:
- Bellevue car accident lawyers: Fatal crashes often result from reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, or hazardous road conditions.
- Bellevue motorcycle accident lawyers: Motorcycle riders face a higher risk of severe injuries in accidents because they lack the protection of a car’s frame, airbags, and seat belts.
- Bellevue truck accident lawyers: Because truck accidents often involve trucking companies, insurance providers, and federal regulations, these cases require a thorough investigation.
- Bellevue bicycle accident lawyers: Since bicyclists have little protection in crashes involving cars, trucks, or commercial vehicles, these accidents often result in severe or fatal injuries.
- Bellevue pedestrian accident lawyers: A pedestrian accident lawyer can help families seek justice by gathering crucial evidence like surveillance footage, accident reports, and witness statements.
- Bellevue construction accident lawyers: Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplaces, and when accidents turn fatal, families are left with devastating losses.
- Bellevue catastrophic injury lawyers: A lawyer can help grieving families seek justice and compensation for their loss.
- Bellevue burn injury lawyers: Burn injuries can be devastating, and when they result in death, families are left to cope with immense emotional and financial burdens.
- Bellevue dog bite lawyers: When a loved one dies due to a severe dog bite or attack, a fatal dog bite lawyer can help families seek justice and compensation.
No matter how your loved one’s death occurred, our dedicated team is ready to support you. We will work tirelessly to seek justice and financial compensation on your behalf.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Case in Washington?
In Washington, only the personal representative of a deceased victim’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This representative acts on behalf of the estate and seeks compensation for the benefit of the deceased’s surviving family members.
The estate representative is usually named in the will. If there is no will, or if the chosen representative is unable or unwilling to serve, the court will appoint someone. That person is typically a close family member such as a spouse, adult child, or parent.
Wrongful Death of a Child Under Age 18
In most cases, the personal representative must file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, under Washington law (Wash. Rev. Code § 4.24.010), a parent or legal guardian can file a claim for a deceased child if the child has no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children.
For a minor child, a parent or guardian may file or join the lawsuit if they regularly contributed to the child’s support. For an adult child (18 or older), a parent or guardian may file or join if they had “significant involvement” in the child’s life, which includes providing emotional, psychological, or financial support near the time of death or the incident that caused it.
For a FREE legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Bellevue, call (206) 285-1743
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How Our Bellevue Wrongful Death Accident Attorneys Can Help Your Case
Losing a loved one is hard. While you focus on grieving and handling personal matters, our Bellevue wrongful death attorneys will lead your case.
When you come to us, you will receive compassionate support during a difficult time. We care about you and your family and will work hard to secure a financial future after the loss of your loved one.
When we represent you, we will:
- Provide legal guidance and explain your rights
- Investigate the circumstances of the death
- Identify all liable parties responsible for your loved one’s untimely death
- Advise you on the value of your claim
- Negotiate with the responsible party or their insurance company
- Take your case to court, if necessary
- Handle all paperwork and meet filing deadlines
We can manage your case on a contingency-fee basis, which means we won’t charge you fees to work on it. We get paid only if we recover financial compensation for you. You can review our case results and client reviews to learn what others say about working with us.
Recoverable Wrongful Death Damages
If someone else’s negligence claimed your family member’s life, you have the right to recover your losses. The compensation you get can help you build a financially secure future for yourself and your family.
Wrongful death damages in Washington include:
- Medical expenses and hospital bills related to the injury or illness that caused the death
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- Loss of income, including future income and benefits
- Pain and suffering experienced by the surviving family members
- Loss of care or loss of companionship and guidance for surviving family members
- Loss of household services that the deceased person provided, such as childcare, maintenance, or other contributions to the home
- Emotional distress or mental anguish experienced by surviving family members
- Loss of inheritance that would have been received had the person lived
- Loss of enjoyment of life for the emotional toll caused by the inability to enjoy life’s pleasures due to your loved one’s wrongful death
- Punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence or malicious behavior, where allowed
Proving Liability in Injury Cases Involving Wrongful Death
Liability depends on proving that the responsible party’s negligent actions directly led to or caused your loved one’s death. To establish negligence in these cases, our lawyer must prove the following elements:
- Duty of care: The defendant had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care to prevent harm.
- Breach of duty: The defendant failed to meet this standard of care through their actions or inaction.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused your loved one’s fatal injuries.
- Damages: The death resulted in financial damages and emotional losses for the surviving family members.
Our Bellevue wrongful death attorneys will carefully review your case to determine who can be held accountable for your loss. Premier Law Group will work to build a strong case.
Filing Deadlines for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Washington State
In Washington state, you have a limited time to sue for damages. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations, and for most wrongful death cases, it is three years from the date of your loved one’s death, per state law.
If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek full financial recovery. Our team will explain the deadlines that apply to your case and file your lawsuit on time. Call us now to get started as soon as possible.
How to Prepare for a Bellevue Wrongful Death Injury Case
Preparing for an injury claim involving a negligent death involves several steps that can help strengthen your case.
Here’s how you can get ready:
- Gather important documents such as medical records, accident reports, death certificates, and any communications related to the incident.
- Compile financial records that show the deceased person’s earnings, benefits, and contributions to your household.
- List witnesses or anyone who may have seen the accident or incident that caused the death.
- Document the emotional and financial impact the loss has had on your family, including expenses related to your loved one’s funeral and burial and the emotional toll.
- Consult our experienced wrongful death lawyers in Bellevue to understand your rights, assess the strength of your case, and ensure you take the proper legal steps.
Call Our Compassionate Bellevue Wrongful Death Attorneys
You do not have to take legal action for a wrongful death claim by yourself. Premier Law Group has experienced and compassionate lawyers who can file your lawsuit against a negligent party.
We understand that losing a loved one due to the negligence of another person is a devastating experience. We are empathetic professionals who want to help you bring closure to your family and honor your loved one.
If a loved one has died on account of someone else’s negligence, please call us today about your wrongful death suit. For a no–commitment, no-cost initial case evaluation, you can also contact our law firm online.
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.