Losing a loved one is never easy. When the loss stems from another’s negligence or intentional act, the heartache may seem unbearable. Yet, you’re not alone in a time like this. You have the entire support of our legal team.
If you’ve suffered such a loss, please accept our sympathies. Our wrongful death attorney in Graham understands your pain. There is nothing that can change what’s happened, but we can fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves. Call Herschensohn Law at (206) 588-4344 to begin a free case consultation. Together, we’ll figure out your next steps.
Our Graham, WA, wrongful death attorneys provide support and guidance, pursuing compensation through a settlement or verdict. Here’s what to know about entrusting us with your personal injury case:
There’s no legal task that our team can’t handle. We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to reach a fair conclusion.
We realize that it’s difficult to think about seeking compensation after your loved one’s passing. Yet, because we’ve helped so many clients through these difficult times, we understand that the reality of paying bills, putting food on the table, and keeping a roof over your head is a part of life. The world still turns––and you have options in situations like these.
Per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), the decedent’s personal representative can pursue economic and non-economic damages on behalf of the beneficiaries. Economic damages are verifiable financial costs, and non-economic damages are subjective losses that don’t come with invoices.
Economic damages include:
You can also recover the cost of anything you spent out of pocket related to your loved one’s passing. For instance, if you had to take an overnight flight to visit your loved one in the hospital, you could include those costs in your claim or lawsuit’s value.
Compensable non-economic damages, whether through a claim or lawsuit, include:
Our Graham, WA, wrongful death attorneys will identify your compensable losses and assign values to each. That way, you don’t have to worry about assigning dollar values to subjective losses. Instead, you can create new memories with your family and celebrate your loved one’s life.
“Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Zach Herschensohn provided me with excellent service. He kept me well informed and explained 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.”
“Herschensohn Law worked by my side for almost four years when I was in an auto accident and were outstanding in everything they did! They went above and beyond to make my lawsuit as easy and stress free as possible for me while consistently showing genuine care for my wellbeing. They even recommended amazing health care professionals for my injuries! Anything/everything I may have been confused/concerned about was addressed/explained so I felt comfortable with each move made in my lawsuit. Professional, courteous and attentive are just a few words I would use to describe this law firm and although I hope to never be in a similar situation again - if I do, Herschensohn Law will be my first call!”
“Zach and his team performed beyond my expectations! I couldn't have had a better firm in my corner!”
“This was such a great experience.”
“Zach will always take time and give you quality advice that you can trust. Highly recommended!”
In Washington State, only the personal representative of the deceased may bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of the decedent’s beneficiaries. The personal representative is usually identified in the will. But, if there is no will, a probate court will name the individual. This person may or may not be a relative of the deceased.
Beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim include the decedent’s:
If there is no spouse, partner, or child, the beneficiaries are the decedent’s:
Generally, only the beneficiaries listed above may recover compensation in a wrongful death claim. However, we can explore your situation and explain whether any exceptions apply.
To safeguard evidence and streamline the judicial system, Washington State allows the plaintiff three years to file a civil lawsuit for wrongful death.
The three years begin on the date of your loved one’s passing––not the date of their accident. If you do not file a lawsuit within the allowed time, the judge could bar you from litigation.
Our wrongful death attorneys will explain how the statute of limitations applies to your case during your free evaluation. To protect your legal rights, we encourage you to connect with our firm as soon as possible.
Throughout Washington State, a wrongful death arises from the wrongful act, default, or negligence of another party. Under these circumstances, you could file a claim or lawsuit against the party responsible for your loved one’s passing. In our years of experience, we’ve handled wrongful death cases stemming from:
It’s impossible to list all of the circumstances that could contribute to a wrongful death. This is one reason that we invite you to share your story with us. We hope that our initial meeting offers much-needed peace of mind during this challenging period.
Everybody deals with grief differently. You may find solace in attending grief counseling, taking a trip, or hosting a celebration-of-life gathering. When it comes to your legal case, there are certain considerations that could bolster your claim. Some of these measures include:
Even the smallest shred of information can mean the difference between a successful case and an unsuccessful one. Such information can include:
It’s okay if you don’t have any of these items. Our investigators can review the details of your loved one’s passing, then gather these items on your behalf.
The insurance company hopes to catch you in a vulnerable position, so you’ll possibly reveal some sensitive details about your case. The claims adjuster will look for any scrap of information to justify a low settlement.
For instance, if you lost an elderly loved one in a traffic accident, they may ask questions about their hearing, vision, and driving abilities, hoping to blame them for what happened. You don’t have to give a recorded statement—in fact, you shouldn’t give one. When the insurance company calls you, refer the representative to us. We can supply the information needed to push your claim forward.
You should avoid sharing any case-related information with uninvolved parties. Even an innocent remark could prolong the financial recovery process and complicate matters. Only you, your lawyer, and your immediate family need to know about your case’s intimate details.
The insurance company may learn of your claim, then immediately offer compensation. You may think that a fast resolution is too good to be true. It probably is. The insurer’s first offer likely won’t account for all of your losses. We can vet all settlement offers from the insurer and advise you on whether to accept one. Our legal team doesn’t want you to walk away with a dime less than you deserve.
Founding attorney Zach Herschensohn and his team of legal professionals fight for families just like yours in Graham and all over Washington. We have recovered millions in settlements and judgments in personal injury and wrongful death cases. We believe there’s nothing more important than fighting for justice for your loved one and being your strongest advocate.
We offer free case consultations and relief from financial stress. Begin your free case review today at (206) 588-4344. We’re here for you.
After a worker was electrocuted on a construction site and suffered life-changing injuries, we fought and won on their behalf.
When a retired man was killed in a truck accident, we made sure his grieving family got fair compensation.
When a defective medical device harmed our client, we fought to ensure they had the financial compensation needed to recover.
Hurt? Let our law firm handle the details
When you request your free consultation, Kent personal injury attorney Zach Herschensohn will listen to you, answer your questions, lay out your legal options, and give you down-to-earth legal advice.
When you work with our law office, there are no obligations, hidden fees, or fine print. It’s that simple.
