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Wrongful Death Attorney Bellevue

  1. What Is a Wrongful Death Action?
  2. How Can Our Bellevue, WA, Wrongful Death Attorneys Help With Your Case?
  3. Recoverable Wrongful Death Damages
  4. Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in Washington State?
  5. Establishing Liability in a Wrongful Death Case
  6. Contact Herschensohn Law About Your Wrongful Death Case Today

Herschensohn Law can advocate for you and your family if your loved one died because of someone else’s negligent actions. Our wrongful death attorney in Bellevue, WA, can protect your rights and best interests as we strive to secure economic justice from those responsible for your loved one’s fatal injury. 

Our legal team will work tirelessly to ensure damages caused by your loved one’s death do not lead to further stress during an already difficult time. We can manage your case so you and your family can focus on healing and moving forward with your lives. Call (206) 588-4344 to get started on your case.

What Is a Wrongful Death Action?

According to RCW 4.20.010, a wrongful death arises from the “wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person.” In this event, the deceased’s qualifying family members can recover compensation for losses caused by the accident and resulting fatal injuries. 

At Herschensohn Law, we have worked with many families who have tragically lost loved ones in accident, so we understand the challenges you face in the wake of a wrongful death. We know that no amount of money can replace what you have lost. However, seeking financial awards can protect your family’s financial future and provide you with a measure of justice.

Our personal injury lawyers serving Bellevue can help you pursue a wrongful death action via an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party who caused your loved one’s fatal injury. We are here to help you understand your legal options and make sure you recover every cent owed to you and your family. We assist with cases involving:

  • Car, truck, and bus accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Workplace accidents
  • Slip and falls, dog bites, and premises liability
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Dangerous and defective drugs and products

How Can Our Bellevue, WA, Wrongful Death Attorneys Help With Your Case?

When families come to us for assistance with a wrongful death claim, we do not take the trust they put in us lightly. We do everything in our power to protect, guide, and serve our clients as we work to minimize their legal burdens and maximize their compensation. If we take your case, our team will:

  • Conduct a thorough investigation. We will investigate the accident that caused your loved one’s death and prove that their fatal injury resulted from another party’s negligent or wrongful actions. 
  • Identify liable parties. We will identify all those at fault for your loved one’s accident and hold them financially accountable. 
  • Identify recoverable compensation. Our attorneys can use bills, receipts, and pay stubs to document and calculate current and future losses caused by your loved one’s injury and death.
  • Manage the insurance claims process. Let us deal with drafting and filing paperwork, managing deadlines, communicating with insurers, and all of the other headaches that come with pursuing an insurance claim. 
  • Negotiate on your behalf. We will not allow insurance agents to employ bad-faith tactics or lowball your settlement. We will deal with the insurance company and aggressively seek the most advantageous resolution possible for your claim. 
  • Prepare your case for court. We are more interested in getting the money you need than obtaining a speedy resolution that may not provide the awards you deserve. If insurance companies want a fight, we will give them one. We prepare every case for trial and will represent you in court if that is what it takes to get full and fair compensation for you and your family. 

Our Services Will Not Add to Your Financial Stress

Our wrongful death attorneys in Bellevue can take your case on contingency, meaning we will not charge you upfront or out-of-pocket. Our payment comes from your settlement or verdict, and we take a fee only if and when we win your case. 

People we’ve helped

Recoverable Wrongful Death Damages

Our lawyers can help recover wrongful death damages so your family does not pay out of pocket for someone else’s mistakes. In general, wrongful death compensation in Washington State may include the following:

  • Medical expenses. We can help you seek medical expenses your loved one incurred from the time of injury until their death. Medical damages may include emergency transportation, emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, doctor and specialist services, medications, medical equipment, long-term nursing, palliative care, and hospice.
  • Funeral and burial costs. Our attorneys can pursue costs related to your loved one’s final expenses, including services and memorials, urns, caskets, burial plots, and fees for settling their estate or any outstanding legal affairs.
  • Conscious pain and suffering. We can seek compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, mental distress, and inconvenience your loved one experienced from their injury until death. Washington State does not allow survivors to pursue pain and suffering damages on their own behalf.
  • Loss of the deceased’s financial contributions. Our lawyers can recover compensation for wages, earnings, and benefits your loved one lost because of their injury. We can also seek awards for the loss of their future financial support.
  • Loss of the deceased’s services and support. We can seek the value of household services usually performed by your late loved one, including cooking, cleaning, child care, and home maintenance. We can also pursue compensation for the loss of the deceased’s companionship, guidance, love, care, and affection. 

We Have Won Significant Settlements for Families of the Fatally Injured

Attorney Zach Herschensohn and his dedicated personal injury team have a proven track record of fighting hard and winning big for clients across Washington State. Our case results include:

  • A $1.2 million wrongful death settlement for the family of a man killed in a truck accident
  • A $500,000 settlement for a fatal injury caused by dangerous premises

We have many positive reviews that evidence our commitment to client service and case success, such as the following:

“Zach and his team performed beyond my expectations! I couldn’t have had a better firm in my corner.” -Jon S.

“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well-informed and explained my complicated issues in a way I could understand. He took the lead and guided me through everything necessary to achieve a successful outcome. Overall, I am very pleased with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.” -P.R. 

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death in Washington State?

In Washington, the deceased’s personal representative (executor) must take action on behalf of surviving beneficiaries. If your loved one did not name an executor or the executor cannot serve, the court can appoint someone. 

According to RCW 4.20.020, wrongful death compensation benefits the deceased’s:

  • Spouse or state-registered domestic partner
  • Children, including stepchildren
  • Parents or siblings (only if there is no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children)

There is an exception to the rule that requires that a personal representative take action. RCW 4.24.010 states that parents can file suit for the wrongful death of a child if there are no other eligible survivors and:

  • The child was under 18, and the parent regularly contributed to their support.
  • The child was over 18, and the parent had “significant involvement” in their life at or near their death. Significant involvement includes financial, emotional, and psychological support. 

How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Suit in Washington State?

In general, you have three years to file your Bellevue, WA, wrongful death lawsuit under RCW 4.16.080. The clock starts at the time of your loved one’s passing. Failure to pursue your case within the statute of limitations will likely lead to the court dismissing your suit. 

In addition, if time runs out, it will reduce your insurance bargaining power by removing the threat of legal action. You could end up with a denied claim or diminished settlement and no additional options for seeking awards. 

Establishing Liability in a Wrongful Death Case

To win compensation, our lawyers must prove that another party’s reckless, careless, or wrongful actions caused your loved one’s fatal accident and resulting damages. In doing so, we will establish the following four elements of negligence:

  1. Duty of care. We will show that the at-fault party had a legal obligation to avoid causing you injury. For example, drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and obey traffic laws. 
  2. Breach. An individual breaches the duty of care when they fail to act in a reasonably safe manner or break the law. In a car accident case, breaches of duty may include speeding, driving drunk, texting and driving, or failing to obey traffic signals. 
  3. Causation. Our attorneys will show that the liable party’s breach of duty caused your loved one’s wrongful death. Continuing with the car accident example, we may build a case showing that a drunk driver ran a red light, causing them to t-bone your loved one’s vehicle, resulting in a fatal head injury. 
  4. Damages. We will show that your loved one’s death resulted in financially compensable losses. 

“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”

- P.R., Katy, WA

Contact Herschensohn Law About Your Wrongful Death Case Today

Our wrongful death attorney in Bellevue, WA, is here to help you stand up to those who caused your loved one’s death. Call Herschensohn Law (206) 588-4344 to take advantage of a risk-free, no-cost consultation and learn more about how we can fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.

Our results speak for themselves

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We’re proud to fight—and win—for injured people in Kent, Washington. View our case results to learn more.