There is no pain like unexpectedly losing a loved one. If you’re contending with a recent loss, you deserve the opportunity to lean on your community. Our Tacoma wrongful death lawyers can be part of that community and offer you the legal representation you need to get justice for a loved one.
The legal team with Phillips Law Firm uses over 20 years of experience to respect your family’s need to grieve while advocating for your right to wrongful death damages. That support allows you to overcome the financial burden of a loved one’s funeral and post-life expenses without minimizing the devastating reality of your loved one’s passing.
Our Tacoma personal injury lawyers want to take your case and offer you the support you need. Contact us today and schedule a free wrongful death case consultation.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Tacoma?
Washington State only allows the personal representative of a deceased individual to take legal action on that person’s account. You must indicate that you are the deceased’s personal executor if you want to move a wrongful death claim forward in their name.
Most people name a personal executor in their wills. You can work with an experienced attorney to interpret a loved one’s will and determine whether or not you have the right to take action on their behalf.
If your loved one did not name a personal executor prior to their death, Washington’s civil courts will select a person to represent them.
Get A Free Case Review
Free Case ReviewIn a confidential settlement for a commercial injury case.
How Does Washington State Define Wrongful Death?
Our wrongful death attorneys in Tacoma want to help a deceased person’s family seek justice on their behalf in the wake of a devastating accident. To get started, our team can break down whether or not your family qualifies to file a wrongful death claim with Tacoma’s civil courts.
According to RCW 4.20.010, a person’s personal executor may have the right to take legal action in their name if that person’s death resulted from the negligent or wrongful behavior of another party. Filing families must prove negligence to move a wrongful death claim forward.
Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me (800) 708-6000
What Wrongful Death Cases Can Our Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyers Tackle?
Nearly every type of accident that a person can get into has a chance to turn fatal. Our Tacoma wrongful death attorneys have helped families get justice for lost loved ones in the wake of fatal car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, dog bite accidents, and others like them.
Perhaps you’re not sure whether you have the right to pursue wrongful death damages on behalf of a deceased loved one, either due to your relationship or the nature of their accident. In that case, contact our team.
Our award-winning attorneys can break down the events that led to your loved one’s death and help you exercise your right to justice following your family’s loss.
Call or text (800) 708-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
How to Ask for Wrongful Death Damages
Evidence establishes your right to a wrongful death case in Washington. You and your lawyer need to gather enough evidence to prove that your loved one’s death stemmed from someone else’s avoidable negligence.
You can do this by referring to:
- Witness statements about your loved one’s accidents
- Physical debris and environmental damage found at the accident scene
- Input from expert witnesses, including emergency medical responders, police officers, and coroners
- Video footage of the accident
- Photos from before, after, and during the accident
- Relevant electronic data
Once you’ve compiled a narrative of negligence outlining the behaviors that led to your loved one’s passing, your attorney can account for the value of the economic and non-economic losses that your family has endured as a result of that negligence. The losses you can include in your claim may address your:
- Loved one’s emergency medical care
- Loved one’s mortuary care and funeral services
- Lost income and/or benefits related to a loved one’s previous job
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Reduced quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Tacoma, call
(800) 708-6000
When to Finalize Your Wrongful Death Paperwork
If you decide that you want to bring a wrongful death claim forward in civil court, you and your Tacoma, WA, wrongful death lawyer need to finalize your paperwork before Washington’s personal injury statute of limitations expires.
This statute of limitations (RCW § 4.16.080(2)) allows you to take no more than three years to complete your paperwork.
Filing a wrongful death claim will not require you to go to trial and demand damages for your loved one’s losses. Our attorneys can manage settlement negotiations on your behalf without making you stand face-to-face with the person responsible for your loved one’s passing.
You can discuss how you want to approach conversations about wrongful death compensation during your first case assessment with our team. As we bring your case together and finalize your paperwork, we can lay out a strategy that allows you to maximize your final settlement without compounding your family’s grief.
Our Compassionate Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyers Want to Work With You
No settlement is going to make up for the loss of a loved one. Our wrongful death attorneys in Tacoma, WA, understand that and will never argue otherwise.
However, our support can make it easier for you and your family to focus on celebrating a loved one’s life without wondering how you’re going to pay for a funeral or overcome a sudden reduction in your family’s income.
At Phillips Law Firm, we believe that families deserve justice in the wake of a loved one’s wrongful death. You can contact us today to book a free case consultation and break down how our services can help your family start to recover.
Real People. Real Justice. (800) 708-6000
