There is nothing worse than losing a loved one because of someone else's negligence. Accidental deaths are senseless, worse, and no outcome from suing the person or entity who caused the death will ever make you feel better from the personal loss, because the only compensation available is money. But, such compensation can go some way to make up for the loss and ensure a better financial future.
A difficult aspect of wrongful death cases is to determine who is at fault for the death, and what, if any, insurance applies to cover such a loss. Some common types of accidents that cause wrongful death are car and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and work accidents.
Not everyone can file a claim for wrongful death. Only direct family members, like spouses, legally registered domestic partners, children, and stepchildren, may sue, and in certain cases, other close relatives may also sue.
The types of damages you can receive in wrongful death claim differ somewhat from those in other injury cases and include:
- The deceased's pain and suffering before passing on.
- Treatment bills incurred by the deceased.
- Funeral expenses.
- Your loss of benefits you no longer will receive, like medical benefits and pensions.
- Your loss of the affection, companionship, love and marital consortium of your deceased loved one.
There are other types of damages available depending on the specific circumstance of your case. Please contact us for a free consultation.
Please remember the Statute of Limitations, which is a certain period in which you must sue the person who caused the accident, and if you do not, you will forever lose the ability to do so. In Washington, generally, you must sue within three years of the date of your loved one's death.