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Wrongful Death Attorney Graham

  1. What You Can Expect From Our Graham Wrongful Death Attorneys
  2. We Pursue Compensation for Your Loved One’s Wrongful Death in Graham
  3. Who May Recover Compensation for a Wrongful Death in Graham?
  4. Statute of Limitations to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
  5. Our Lawyers Handle Wrongful Death Cases Resulting From These Incidents
  6. What Should I Do in the Aftermath of Losing a Loved One in Graham?
  7. Meet Our Wrongful Death Lawyers at Herschensohn Law in Graham, WA

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.

What You Can Expect From Our Graham Wrongful Death Attorneys

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: 

  • We investigate the incident that led to your loved one’s death. Then, we use the information we find to bolster your claim. Supporting information in your case could include your loved one’s medical records, eyewitness testimony, and the accident report. 
  • Wrongful death cases are complicated. They require an understanding of the law and its real-world applications. Yet, we share everything you need to know in clear, easy-to-understand language, allowing you to make informed decisions throughout the legal process.
  • Our attorneys negotiate with the insurance company to recover fair compensation for your losses. This involves understanding the details of your accident, the liable insurance policy, and your compensable losses. 
  • We will also prepare for trial and represent you in court, if necessary. A lawsuit comes with many obligations, and we’re very familiar with them. We can file your case within the appropriate deadline, cross-examine witnesses, and take depositions. 

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 Pursue Compensation for Your Loved One’s Wrongful Death in Graham

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

Economic damages include: 

  • Medical costs associated with the injury and incurred by the decedent prior to death, including but not limited to ambulance rides, hospitalization, surgery, and prescriptions
  • Wages lost due to the change in the decedent’s ability to work between the time of the injury and the time of death
  • Property damage costs (if your loved one passed away in a collision and their car needs repairs) 
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of the decedent’s future earnings based on age, education, past earnings, and other factors

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. 

Non-Economic Damages

Compensable non-economic damages, whether through a claim or lawsuit, include: 

  • Pain and suffering endured by the decedent prior to death
  • Loss of consortium between partners
  • Loss of love, companionship, and guidance
  • Loss of care
  • Loss of services

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. 

People we’ve helped

Who May Recover Compensation for a Wrongful Death in Graham?

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:

  • Spouse or state-registered domestic partner
  • Child or children, including a step-child or step-children

If there is no spouse, partner, or child, the beneficiaries are the decedent’s:

  • Parent or parents
  • Sibling or siblings

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. 

Statute of Limitations to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

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. 

Our Lawyers Handle Wrongful Death Cases Resulting From These Incidents

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: 

  • Traffic accidents involving impaired or reckless drivers; such accidents may include passenger vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians, big trucks, or bicycles
  • Defective parts or products, such as poorly manufactured airbags or asbestos-contaminated talc in talcum powder 
  • Workplace accidents or exposures, such as heavy equipment operators who are inadequately trained, consequently hurting workers in the area, or harmful chemical exposure due to improper storage

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.

What Should I Do in the Aftermath of Losing a Loved One in Graham?

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: 

Keeping All Information Related to Your Case 

Even the smallest shred of information can mean the difference between a successful case and an unsuccessful one. Such information can include: 

  • Emails between you and the liable party
  • Information from law enforcement
  • Documentation of out-of-pocket expenses 
  • Statements from witnesses 

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. 

Refuse to Give a Recorded Statement 

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. 

Refrain From Posting About the Incident Online 

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. 

Refer All Settlement Offers to Your Lawyer 

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. 

Meet Our Wrongful Death Lawyers at Herschensohn Law in Graham, WA

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.

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

- P.R., Katy, WA

Our results speak for themselves

CONTACT HERSCHENSOHN LAW

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.

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