If you’ve lost a close family member in a fatal accident in Bonney Lake, WA, you don’t have to deal with the consequences on your own. Call Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group. Our Bonney Lake wrongful death lawyers can build a claim that forces the at-fault party and their insurance company to compensate you for your devastating loss.
We’re a legacy built on justice, fighting for the rights of the injured and grieving families in the Puget Sound area since 1983. Today, our Bonney Lake injury attorneys bring decades of experience and an unmatched reputation for excellence to client cases. Our case results include well over $113 million in damages.
Don’t hesitate to call (253) 342-4965 to discuss the circumstances of your loved one’s wrongful death today. Your first consultation is free, and there’s no cost to you until we recover compensation on your behalf.
Do I Have a Wrongful Death Case?
Washington defines wrongful death in RCW 4.20.010 as a death caused by the “wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person.”
If someone you love was killed in an avoidable accident, or due to another person’s criminal or intentionally harmful actions, then you may have the right to benefit from a wrongful death lawsuit.
Wrongful death lawsuits often arise when there’s a fatal:
- Car accident
- Truck accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Bus accident
- Pedestrian accident
- Bicycle accident
- Slip and fall accident
- Workplace accident
- Accident involving a defective product
- Dog attack
- Assault
Medical malpractice and nursing home abuse can also set the stage for a wrongful death claim when a patient or resident dies, too.
In Washington, a wrongful death claim must be filed on behalf of surviving family members by the personal representative of the victim’s estate. Damages awarded in the lawsuit are paid to the surviving spouse and/or child, or if neither survives the victim, parents and/or siblings.
Damages Available in Bonney Lake Wrongful Death Cases
Washington allows families to recover compensation for their economic damages and non-economic damages, including money for:
- Lost financial support from the decedent’s wages, income, and job benefits
- The value of household services provided by the victim
- Medical bills paid prior to the victim’s death
- Funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of care, companionship, and guidance
If the victim survived their injuries for a period of time before they died, additional compensation may be awarded to the estate in a survival action. Typically, these damages compensate for the victim’s economic losses, along with the pain and suffering they personally experienced before they passed away.
Limits on Bonney Lake Wrongful Death Recoveries
Washington has two meaningful limits on wrongful death recoveries.
First, a settlement can be affected by a decedent’s shared fault. Under the state’s pure comparative negligence rule, damages can be reduced proportionally to fault up to 99 percent. If your loved one caused the accident, even in part, it can limit your financial award.
Second, the state imposes a three-year statute of limitations on wrongful death lawsuits. If you try to file the claim after the three-year filing deadline has passed, it won’t be recognized by the court. Instead, you’ll be left to deal with the devastating consequences of your loss on your own.
Call Our Experienced Bonney Lake Wrongful Death Lawyers For Help
Serious representation. Exceptional results. That’s what we strive for at Jacobs and Jacobs Personal Injury Law Group. When you’re grieving an unimaginable loss, our Bonney Lake wrongful death lawyers will be there to stand beside you and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We offer a free case evaluation, so contact our legal team at (253) 342-4965 for the support and guidance you need today.