Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things a person will encounter in life. In an ideal world, wrongful death lawsuits would not need to exist. Unfortunately, the careless actions of others can cause a loved one’s life to end too soon.
Experiencing such a loss is life–altering and deeply profound. If you have lost someone because of another person’s negligence, a Bellevue wrongful death lawyer from Premier Law Group can take legal action to hold the liable party accountable so you can begin to heal.
For nearly 25 years, our Bellevue personal injury lawyers have helped thousands recover from their losses. Collectively, our legal team has more than 55 years of experience, which we will use to get justice for you and your loved one. Call today for a free consultation with our attorney.
What Constitutes Wrongful Death in Washington State?
Under state law, wrongful death occurs when someone’s life is taken due to the wrongful acts, negligence, or failure of another. Negligence, which can happen in many circumstances, is often the foundation of a lawsuit seeking damages for a loved one’s fatal injury or illness.
Negligence happens when someone fails to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm to others, resulting in injuries or fatalities. Common examples of negligence include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Construction accidents
- Defective products
- Burn accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Dog bites
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, in a civil case, liability is determined by a preponderance of the evidence.
In simpler terms, 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.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Case in Bellevue?
The state has specific laws that allow certain people to file wrongful death actions. Different rules apply to adult and child deaths.
In Washington state, the following people can file a wrongful death action:
- The spouse or domestic partner of the deceased
- The children or stepchildren of the deceased
- The parents or siblings if no spouse, partner, or children exist
Wrongful Death of an Adult
The person representing the deceased’s estate may bring the action on behalf of the estate and for the benefit of the deceased’s family.
If none of these people survived the decedent, the wrongful death action benefits “parents, sisters, or brothers, who may be dependent upon the deceased person for support, and who are residents within the United States at the time of their death.”
Wrongful Death of a Child Under Age 18
A parent who has regularly and recently contributed to the support of their minor child may bring a wrongful death lawsuit; however, some restrictions apply.
Marital status is not a factor when the decedent is under age 18. This means that if only one parent files, the other parent must be notified of the lawsuit.
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 to help ease the stress you may be experiencing during a difficult time.
When we represent you, we will:
- Provide legal guidance and explain your rights under Washington state wrongful death laws to help you understand your legal options.
- Investigate the circumstances of the death by gathering evidence and reviewing all relevant details.
- Identify all liable parties responsible for your loved one’s untimely death.
- Advise you on the value of your claim, considering all recoverable damages, including future financial losses and emotional suffering.
- Negotiate with the responsible party or their insurance company on your behalf to pursue a fair settlement. We will protect you from adjusters who may try to minimize or derail your claim.
- Take your case to court, if necessary, to seek fair compensation for your loss.
- Handle all paperwork and meet filing deadlines to ensure your case proceeds smoothly.
We care about you and your family and will work hard to secure a financial future after the loss of your loved one. Call today for help from our knowledgeable attorney during a free consultation.
We can manage your case on a contingency-fee basis, which means we won’t charge you fees to work on your case. We get paid only if you recover financial compensation. You can review our case results and client reviews to learn what others say about working with us.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Bellevue, call (206) 285-1743
GET A FREE CASE EVALUATION
Recoverable Damages in a Bellevue Wrongful Death Case
You and your family could cover various compensatory damages for your loss, including:
- 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
Who Can You Hold Liable for the Loss of Your Loved One?
Various parties can potentially be held liable, depending on the circumstances surrounding the death. Below are examples of who might be held responsible for wrongful death compensation:
- Negligent drivers in vehicle accidents, including car, truck, or motorcycle collisions.
- Medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, or hospitals in cases of medical malpractice.
- Property owners if unsafe conditions on their property led to a fatal accident (premises liability).
- Product manufacturers in cases involving defective drugs or products that caused a fatality.
- Employers, when workplace accidents or unsafe conditions result in death.
- Government entities in cases where a public employee or agency exhibited negligent conduct, though special rules may apply.
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 accident attorney will carefully review your case to determine who can be held accountable for your loss and work to build a strong case for liability.
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 your financial award in court. Our law office 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.
We Offer Experienced Legal Representation for Various Types of Wrongful Death Cases
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 expertise.
All of the following Bellevue personal injury attorneys on our team can pursue damages for you:
- Car accident lawyers
- Motorcycle accident lawyers
- Truck accident lawyers
- Bicycle accident lawyers
- Pedestrian accident lawyers
- Premises liability/slip and fall lawyers
- Construction accident lawyers
- Paralysis injury lawyers
- Dog bite lawyers
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.
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 with our experienced wrongful death lawsuit lawyers serving Bellevue to understand your rights, assess the strength of your case, and ensure you take the proper legal steps.
Call Us Today for Help from a Bellevue Wrongful Death Lawyer
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 consultation, 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.