English
Español
If you lost someone you love because of careless or reckless actions, you might have the right to hold them financially responsible. When dealing with such a significant loss, you require a compassionate personal injury attorney you can trust and rely on to guide you during the wrongful death claim process.
A wrongful death occurs when an individual, business, or other entity’s negligence leads to death. Investigation and discovery of the responsible party is a complex process that takes careful analysis. If careless actions caused your losses, contact a Tacoma wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible to learn what must be done in order to seek justice.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Wrongful death can occur for many reasons. Some of the most common include the following.
Drunk Driving
Motorists who drive a vehicle while drunk or under the influence are hazardous to other motorists or pedestrians on the road. A plaintiff could hold the negligent driver responsible for their economic and non-economic losses after a loved one is hit and killed by a car. Motorists who were sober but were simply reckless in their driving are also at fault.
Negligent Property Owners
A person who fails to keep their premises free of hazards could be liable if someone dies after a bad slip and fall accident. Children are also at risk of drowning if they wander into someone’s yard who does not have their swimming pool fenced in. In rare cases, a dog bite could also lead to the loss of life.
Medical Malpractice
Doctors, nurses, and other medical caregivers could be liable for malpractice if they breach their medical duty of care and a patient dies as a result.
Recoverable Compensation After a Wrongful Death
The amount of compensation available will depend on total out-of-pocket losses and the details surrounding the accident. In most cases, the court will award compensation for the following expenses in wrongful death claims.
- Funeral expenses
- Repayment for any out-of-pocket medical costs
- Losing financial support and lost earnings
- The loss of benefits, including health insurance
- The loss of companionship and consortium
- Mental anguish
A knowledgeable Tacoma wrongful death attorney could help review the details of the accident to determine all possible aspects of recoverable compensation.
Right of Action and Beneficiaries
Under the Revised Code of Washington § 4.20.010, a person may collect compensation for damages after losing a loved one in an accident. The plaintiff has the right to recovery of economic and non-economic damages.
As per the Revised Code of Washington § 4.20.020, the surviving spouse, registered domestic partner, children, or step-children are allowed to file the suit. If the deceased individual was unmarried and did not have children, then the parents or siblings may file the action. A Tacoma accidental death lawyer could help the proper individual file the civil claim within the statute’s guidelines.
Meet With a Tacoma Wrongful Death Attorney for Help
The unexpected loss of a loved one is one of the most challenging things a family will go through. That is especially true when negligent behavior is the reason for your loss. Families face especially hard times when that person supported the family financially.
If careless actions caused the loss of a loved one, the law could hold someone accountable. A Tacoma wrongful death lawyer could answer questions, help you through this complicated process, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Call Ritchie Reiersen Law today.
