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Losing a loved one because another person acted negligently is a trauma no family should have to experience. Washington law allows certain surviving family members to pursue compensation when a wrongful act causes a death. At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our wrongful death attorneys in Spokane, WA, help families understand their rights and take legal action against the party responsible.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss what happened and what steps may be available to you. Our Spokane personal injury lawyers can provide you and your family with the compassionate guidance you need now.
When Negligence Gives Rise to a Wrongful Death Claim
Under RCW 4.20.010, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies because of another party’s wrongful act. Often, these wrongful death claims can result from many preventable incidents, including:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dangerous property conditions
- Workplace incidents
In these cases, we must prove that the responsible party’s actions caused your loved one’s fatal injuries. A tragic outcome alone does not establish liability, so we focus on investigating the event for the evidence needed to connect the negligent conduct to your family’s loss.
Who May Pursue Compensation Under Washington Law
In Washington, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate generally files the claim on behalf of the family, or beneficiaries. The beneficiaries may include:
- A surviving spouse
- A state-registered domestic partner
- Children
- Other family members who qualify under Washington law
We work with your family to seek an outcome that is fair to all beneficiaries while holding those at fault responsible for your loss.
It’s free to speak with us and learn the value of your case today.
Call Us NowCompensation Can Reflect Both Financial and Personal Losses
Money cannot replace your loved one, but a wrongful death claim seeks compensation to address the losses created by your loved one’s death. Recoverable losses can include such economic and non-economic damages as:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Lost wages and future financial support
- Loss of household services
- Loss of companionship, care, and guidance
Each family’s loss is different. We collect financial records, employment information, and other documentation to show how the death changed your household. We also review medical records to establish the injuries and the events leading to the death.
Strong Evidence Is Necessary to Prove Negligence
We must show that the responsible party owed your loved one a duty of care, violated that duty, and caused the fatal injuries. We also must document the losses that resulted.
We do that with evidence, which may include police reports, witness statements, photographs, video footage, employment records, financial documents, and medical records. Also, we move quickly to preserve this evidence before records disappear, memories fade, or physical conditions change.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair resolution, we prepare your case from the beginning to present in court.
If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been killed through an act of negligence, you need the highest level of legal representation.
Schedule a Free ConsultationWhy Acting Promptly Protects Your Family’s Rights
After losing a loved one, taking legal action is probably not your first priority. Most families need time to grieve, make funeral arrangements, and adjust to a new reality. Even so, waiting too long to speak with an attorney can make it more difficult to protect your legal rights and preserve important evidence.
Wrongful death lawsuits in Washington typically have a three-year statute of limitations. However, that deadline can vary depending on the facts of a case. Missing the deadline to file the lawsuit in the Spokane County Superior Court could prevent your family from pursuing compensation altogether.
Acting promptly also helps preserve evidence. Witnesses’ memories become less reliable over time, surveillance footage may be erased, physical evidence can disappear, and records may become more difficult to obtain. Beginning an investigation as soon as possible gives us the best opportunity to gather the information needed to build a strong claim.
Why Families Throughout Spokane Turn to Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers
At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we understand that every wrongful death case represents a family trying to move forward after an unexpected tragedy. We take the time to understand how your loss has affected your household, answer your questions honestly, and explain each stage of the legal process in plain language.
Once you hire our firm, we immediately notify insurance companies that you are represented so they direct communications through our office rather than contacting your family directly. This allows us to manage negotiations while you focus on your loved ones instead of responding to insurance adjusters.
Our personal injury attorneys work collaboratively throughout every case. Rather than relying on a single perspective, we discuss legal issues, review evidence together, and develop strategies designed around the specific facts of your claim. This team approach helps ensure that important details receive the attention they deserve.
For more than a decade, we have represented individuals and families facing difficult circumstances after serious accidents caused by negligence. We also offer bilingual services to make legal representation more accessible to members of the Spokane community who prefer to communicate in Spanish.
Every wrongful death case deserves careful preparation. Whether your claim resolves through settlement negotiations or requires litigation in court, we remain focused on pursuing the financial recovery your family needs to move forward.
Get a free case evaluation
Schedule NowLet Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers Help Your Family Move Forward
The death of a loved one changes your family’s future in ways that cannot be measured solely by financial loss. While the legal process cannot undo what happened, it can provide accountability and help ease the financial burdens that often follow an unexpected death. You should not have to face insurance companies or navigate Washington’s wrongful death laws on your own during such a difficult time.
If you lost a family member because another party acted negligently, Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers is ready to help you understand your options. We offer free consultations so you can speak directly with our team, ask questions about your situation, and learn how we can pursue compensation on your family’s behalf.
Reach out today to discuss your wrongful death claim and the next steps toward protecting your family’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Washington?
In many cases, Washington has a three-year statute of limitations. However, exceptions and special circumstances can affect the filing deadline. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible can help ensure your family’s rights are protected.
What happens if the person responsible is also facing criminal charges?
A criminal case and a wrongful death claim are separate legal proceedings. Even if prosecutors pursue criminal charges, your family may still have the right to pursue a civil wrongful death action seeking financial compensation.
Can more than one family member recover compensation?
Potentially. Wrongful death claims are brought by the personal representative for the benefit of eligible beneficiaries identified under Washington law. The individuals entitled to recover compensation depend on the specific family circumstances.
What evidence is important in a wrongful death case?
Evidence often includes police reports, witness statements, photographs, surveillance footage, medical records, employment information, financial documentation, and other materials showing how the incident occurred and how the loss has affected surviving family members.
How much does it cost to hire Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers?
Our injury attorneys handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. That means your family does not pay attorney fees up front. Our attorney fees are based on obtaining a financial recovery through your claim, allowing you to pursue legal representation without paying legal fees at the beginning of your case.
