Our Experienced Seattle Wrongful Death Lawyer Helps Clients Navigate Complex Litigation After Losing a Loved One
Losing someone you love is never easy, but learning that your beloved family member died because of another person or company’s negligence or maliciousness can feel almost unbearable. When this happens, Washington State law gives you the right to seek legal recourse. At Kode Law Firm, accomplished Seattle injury lawyer Preet Kode helps wrongful death victims’ families understand their rights and options, providing powerful representation and compassionate support for your legal journey. Preet genuinely cares for her clients, investing considerable time, effort, and resources to help them hold at-fault parties accountable and recover fair damages to cope with their losses. Discover what Kode Law Firm could do for you and your family.
What to Know About Washington State Wrongful Death Lawsuits
A death in the family is more than just an emotional experience—it can also have far-reaching financial consequences, especially if your loved one suffered costly final injuries or your family relied on their income to make ends meet. Wrongful death cases are civil actions that seek to hold a party (or parties) financially accountable for causing someone’s death by allowing the family to recover compensation for losses. If a person or company’s actions or inactions caused your loved one’s death, you could have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. Here’s what you should know about these complex cases.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death Claims
Negligence and misconduct-related deaths can stem from wide-ranging incidents, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus, train, and plane accidents
- Slips and falls
- Uber and Lyft crashes
Who Can File a Wrongful Lawsuit
The Evergreen State limits the right to file a wrongful death claim to select individuals according to their relationship with the decedent. You could be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you are the victim’s:
- Spouse
- Domestic partner
- Child
- Stepchild
- Estate representative
When the victim is unmarried and has no children, Washington also allows a parent or sibling to file a claim. Additionally, the family member or estate representative must file the wrongful death lawsuit within three years of the date of the victim’s passing or risk losing the right to pursue a legal remedy.
Get Compassionate Support and Fearless Representation for Washington Wrongful Death Litigation
Engaging in complicated legal wrangling is usually the last thing families want while grieving a loved one and trying to adjust to a disheartening new “normal.” At Kode Law Firm, we understand the challenges grieving families face and how to support them throughout the legal process. Here’s an overview of what Preet and the team do to assist wrongful death clients:
- Investigate the incident and identify potentially liable parties
- Gather crucial evidence, including medical evidence for your loved one’s ultimately fatal injuries
- Handle communications with insurance adjusters, defense attorneys, and other parties in litigation
- Arrange for expert witnesses—such as medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and financial advisors—to testify on your behalf
- Analyze and negotiate settlement offers
- Take the case to trial
What You Might Recover
No amount of money could ever replace your loved one, but what a wrongful death recovery can do is help you hold the at-fault party accountable, bringing justice, closure, and much-needed financial support. Depending on the facts and evidence in your Washington wrongful death case, you could potentially recover compensation for all losses related to your family member’s death, including:
- Your loved one’s final medical bills
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering prior to death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of your loved one’s financial support
- Loss of the services your loved one provided
- Loss of your loved one’s love, care, affection, and companionship
Do you have questions about what wrongful death damages might apply in your case? Kode Law Firm has answers.
