How are wrongful death damages divided?

Washington state law allows for a wrongful death case to be filed by a deceased person’s representative, surviving spouse, or surviving children. In many cases, the personal representative is a spouse or child. A personal representative may need to be appointed in some cases. When none of these parties exist, then a case can be filed by the deceased person’s parents or siblings. Surviving parents or siblings do not need to have been completely dependent on the deceased, but they must have some kind of substantial financial dependence at the time of death. Whether a case is filed by a deceased person’s representative, surviving spouse, child, parent, or sibling, the action is always for the benefit of the personal representative, surviving spouse, or child.