Washington Wrongful Death Attorneys - Lawyers fighting for the Families of those Wrongfully Killed

When someone is negligent and that negligence leads to injuries, it's often the case that the victim of that conduct eventually recovers and puts his or her life back together. When someone's negligence leads to an untimely death, there is no real recovery from the extreme permanence of that result.

However, there are laws in place designed to protect the family members of victims of wrongful death, and below is an overview of how this tragic situation tends to play out in Washington. You'll find information regarding some common causes of wrongful death, the ways in which damages are calculated in relation to a valid claim and how you should proceed if someone you love was taken from you prematurely because of someone else's misdeeds.

Common Causes of Washington Wrongful Death

Life can be lost in almost any circumstance, but below are a few examples of situations that commonly lead to wrongful death legal claims:
  • Auto accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Workplace accidents
  • Construction accidents
  • Explosions
  • Defective products
  • Defective medications
  • Medical malpractice
Clearly, there are other causes that lead to a wrongful death claim in Washington, but those mentioned above represent many that wrongful death attorneys handle on an all too common basis.

Why Working with a Wrongful Death Attorney is Advisable

When someone who has just suddenly lost a loved one meets with an attorney to discuss the situation, that relative or friend is dealing with emotional devastation that makes it extremely difficult to work through this sort of process logically. Therefore, the need for a wrongful death attorney is critical at this point, because the surviving victims have several issues that they already must deal with, including:
  • Funeral Arrangements
  • Medical costs
  • Estate issues
  • Communication to parties who are not aware of the situation
  • Organization of the home and workplace
  • Helping to support emotionally devastated family members
When someone dies for any reason aside from a wrongful death situation, these issues are difficult enough to handle. When a person is killed because of someone's negligent or reckless actions, those who survive do not need to add the task of learning the tenets of wrongful death law and dealing with the other party in this context to their long and challenging list of obligations. That person needs legal help, and below is just one tangible reason as to why this is necessary.

Wrongful Death Damages in Washington

When someone is killed wrongfully, the law in Washington is designed to 'make the plaintiff whole' as much as possible. Since the ultimate victim of the negligence has passed away, that is not entirely possible in a strict logical sense. Therefore, the law allows for the recovery of damages that would place the decedent's survivors in a position where the victim's financial contributions would be restored. Below are a few examples of the types of damages that can be sought in a Washington wrongful death action.
  • Immediate medical costs - If someone is badly injured, he or she has likely spent time in the hospital obtaining emergency treatment and possibly emergency surgery. These steps involve substantial costs, even if the victim had health insurance, and these costs often attach to the person's estate.

  • Funeral and burial costs - When someone passes away, a common custom in the United States is to hold a memorial service and then a burial. While life insurance policies can cover some of these costs, many people who die unexpectedly either have no life insurance or insufficient coverage to handle these costs.

  • Earnings - Perhaps the largest economic loss suffered by the family of a wrongful death victim involves the loss of the decedent's earnings and resulting financial contributions to the overall well-being of the family. These earnings are generally calculated based on the decedent's recent earnings as well as his or her likely generated income in the future based on age at the time of death, income trends, profession and remaining life expectancy.

  • Loss of companionship - One of the least tangible types of damages sought involves the loss of companionship, sometimes called consortium. The plaintiff survivors can seek recovery for the loss of protection, the loss of enjoyment for shared activities and the loss of the psychological balance that comes with enjoying a strong family unit.

Seattle Washington Wrongful Death Lawyer

As you see, working through a wrongful death claim in Washington is no small matter. If you have lost someone prematurely because of the negligent or reckless actions of another, you need to act now to make sure that your rights are properly protected. Contact the Washington wrongful death lawyers at Phillips Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation.
 



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