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Renton Wrongful Death Lawyer

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Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. While you will need time to grieve and heal, it’s also important to know your rights if you are involved in this type of case. If someone dies because of the negligence or reckless actions of another person, then you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. Our Renton wrongful death lawyers are here to help surviving victims recover after the loss of a loved one.

Wrongful death cases can be complicated, especially when there are multiple defendants that are responsible for the wrongful death. The Renton wrongful death attorneys at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you with your case from start to finish. Contact our Renton personal injury attorneys whenever you’re ready by calling (206) 312-0954 or by filling out our online contact form.

Renton, WA Wrongful Death Resources

Why Choose Us?

  • We are proven trial lawyers who aren’t afraid to go up against any defendant, big or small, in a court trial in Renton, if necessary. We do what needs to be done to fight for the highest possible compensation for our wrongful death clients.
  • Our lawyers prioritize personal client care. We will meet with you directly about your case rather than pair you with an assistant or paralegal. During your lawsuit, you will receive frequent updates and prompt responses to any questions from your lawyer.
  • You won’t pay unless we win. Our Renton wrongful death attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you will only pay your lawyer if your wrongful death case ends in financial compensation for your family.

What Is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies as the result of another party’s negligence (it can also happen due to an intentional act). There are many different things that can constitute wrongful death. Some of the most common causes of wrongful death include car accidents, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, product liability cases and motorcycle accidents in Renton. If you’re loved one has been killed in a car accident, our team of car accident attorneys in Renton are here to help.

How Do Attorneys Prove a Wrongful Death?

In order to be successful when filing a wrongful death claim, you must prove certain elements. You will have to show that the defendant owed your loved one a duty of care. For example, in a medical malpractice case, you would need to show that the doctor who caused the wrongful death actually had a doctor-patient relationship with your loved one.

The next element you must prove is that the defendant breached that duty. In this case, showing that the doctor did not behave in a way that other competent doctors in the same or similar circumstances would is how you can show that they breached the duty.

The third element that has to be proven is that the defendant’s negligence actually caused the death. If the doctor was negligent but something else caused your loved one’s death, you won’t be successful.

Finally, you need to show that you suffered damages as a result of losing your loved one.

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Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Renton, WA?

The victim’s spouse or children are typically the ones who file a wrongful death claim. However, there may be instances where other family members or friends can file a claim if they can prove that they were financially dependent on the victim.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?

In Washington state, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is three years. The statute of limitations is a law that gives you a maximum amount of time to file a lawsuit before you lose the right to seek financial compensation forever. It is important to file the paperwork for your claim after no more than three years have passed from the date of your loved one’s death in Washington. If you fail to file your claim on time, you will miss out on much deserved compensation that you would otherwise be entitled to.

What Damages Can Surviving Loved Ones Recover After a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death lawsuit is unique compared to a personal injury claim in the types of damages, or financial compensation, that are available. Wrongful death inflicts different types of costs and losses on plaintiffs than personal injuries. Surviving family members may be entitled to collect both economic and noneconomic damages in a wrongful death claim. With our help, your family may collect compensation for many different losses, including:

  • Final medical expenses. The cost of the medical care that your loved one required for his or her final injury or illness.
  • Reasonable funeral and burial costs. A reasonable amount to pay for the victim’s funeral and burial, typically up to $10,000.
  • Loss of the decedent’s income and services. This can include lost wages, employment benefits, inheritance and household services.
  • Loss of consortium. Compensation for the loss of the loved one’s love, companionship, care, guidance and advice. 
  • Special damages for parents. Parents who lose a child may recover compensation for the destruction of the parent-child relationship in addition to the above-mentioned damages.

An attorney can help you create a comprehensive list of your losses in a wrongful death claim so that your family doesn’t miss any opportunity for financial relief. According to the Revised Code of Washington Section 4.20.010, any damages recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit are for the benefit of the surviving spouse, domestic partner, and child or children (including stepchildren) of the decedent.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered for a Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death lawsuit is unique compared to a personal injury claim in the types of damages, or financial compensation, that are available. Wrongful death inflicts different types of costs and losses on plaintiffs than personal injuries. Surviving family members may be entitled to collect both economic and noneconomic damages in a wrongful death claim. With our help, your family may collect compensation for many different losses, including:

  • Final medical expenses. The cost of the medical care that your loved one required for his or her final injury or illness.
  • Reasonable funeral and burial costs. A reasonable amount to pay for the victim’s funeral and burial, typically up to $10,000.
  • Loss of the decedent’s income and services. This can include lost wages, employment benefits, inheritance and household services.
  • Loss of consortium. Compensation for the loss of the loved one’s love, companionship, care, guidance and advice. 
  • Special damages for parents. Parents who lose a child may recover compensation for the destruction of the parent-child relationship in addition to the above-mentioned damages.

An attorney can help you create a comprehensive list of your losses in a wrongful death claim so that your family doesn’t miss any opportunity for financial relief. According to the Revised Code of Washington Section 4.20.010, any damages recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit are for the benefit of the surviving spouse, domestic partner, and child or children (including stepchildren) of the decedent.

Wrongful death is a tragedy that no family should ever have to go through. At Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers, our Renton pedestrian accident lawyers know that no amount of financial compensation is enough to pay for the loss of a life in your family. We strive to achieve the financial results that our clients deserve, however, so that they can have greater closure and a sense of justice served on behalf of their deceased loved one.

When we estimate the value of a client’s wrongful death case, we start by adding up all of the economic damages connected to the death, such as medical bills and lost wages. We also project future foreseeable economic losses. Then, we make an educated guess as to how much the family’s intangible losses are worth, as this value is generally decided by a jury and can be difficult to predict.

There is no such thing as an average settlement amount for a wrongful death claim in Washington. Families can recover anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000,000 or more, depending on the case. These cases are often worth a significant amount, however, due to the fact that the negligent act took a life. The factors that can impact settlement value include the age of the victim, his or her income prior to death, the amount of insurance coverage available, and liability for the accident.

Should You Hire a Lawyer?

If you are considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit, then it is highly recommended that you hire an experienced Renton wrongful death attorney. They will be able to help you navigate through the complex legal process and will represent your best interests in court. Contacting a lawyer is also the best way to find out whether you have a case and how much money you could potentially win if your case goes to trial.

Most wrongful death attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything unless they win or settle your case. This creates no financial risk for you, and it allows anyone to access quality legal representation.

Contact our Renton Wrongful Death Attorneys

The Renton wrongful death lawyers at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you with your case start to finish. We understand how devastating it is to lose a loved one. All of our personal injury lawyers will treat your case with the care and respect it deserves, while still obtaining justice for you. Contact Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers when you’re ready by calling (206) 312-0954 or by filling out our online contact form.