Olympia Wrongful Death Lawyer

Life in Thurston County moves at a steady pace, but a sudden loss disrupts the rhythm of everything your family knows. You face a heavy silence at home while trying to figure out why a preventable tragedy occurred. 

Our team serves as an Olympia wrongful death lawyer for those who need a strong advocate to hold reckless parties responsible for their actions. We have provided a stable presence for families throughout Washington since 1893, offering the experience necessary to address the financial and legal fallout of a loss. 

Our philosophy is simple: we tell our clients we will take it from here so they can focus on their children and their recovery. We provide the capable assistance required to seek a fair resolution under state law while you honor the memory of your loved one. 

Contact our office today to discuss your case and discover how our 130 years of experience can support your family during this challenging time.

Why Choose Jacobs & Jacobs for Olympia Wrongful Death Lawyer

Families in Thurston County seek a legal team that possesses deep local ties and a proven track record of results. Our firm began serving Washington residents in 1893, and we remain dedicated to the Puget Sound area today. 

Tom Jacobs uses his 40 years of experience to guide our firm and provide the steady leadership your family requires. We employ more than 50 members who work together to seek accountability for the loss of your loved one.

• Our satellite office in Olympia serves our neighbors in Thurston County with convenience and personal attention.
• We use a 130-year legacy of service to provide the strength needed to confront insurance companies.
• Our staff speaks English and Spanish, making our advocacy accessible to every member of the local community.
• We only receive payment if we successfully recover money for your claim.

We maintain the resources of a large team while keeping the compassionate approach of a family business. Our philosophy focuses on lifting the legal burden from your shoulders so you can spend time with your family. With the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer, we help clients navigate difficult legal situations with confidence. We possess a unique knowledge of the local legal landscape because we have lived and worked here since 1893. Call our office today to talk about your situation and learn how we help.

Proving Negligence Under Washington Law

Washington law allows families to seek financial support when a person dies due to the wrongful act or neglect of another. Negligence occurs when a person or a company fails to act with the care that a reasonable person would use. 

This happens when a driver speeds through an intersection in downtown Olympia or a property owner ignores a dangerous condition on their land. We investigate these actions to prove who carries the legal responsibility for your loss. RCW 4.20.010 states that the personal representative of the estate must file the personal injury claim.

• Liability: We gather evidence to show that another party caused the death through their actions.
• The Personal Representative: This person acts on behalf of the family to move the case through the legal system.
• Beneficiaries: These family members receive the money we recover for funeral costs and lost support.

Our team assists you in every step of this legal process. We identify every party that contributed to the incident to make sure they face accountability. This work provides the foundation for your family’s financial recovery. 

We handle the paperwork and the investigations while you focus on honoring your loved one. Call our office today to talk about your case.

How Pure Comparative Fault Impacts Recovery

Washington uses a system called pure comparative fault to determine how much money a family receives. This law allows a recovery even if the deceased person shared some blame for the incident. 

The court or insurance company assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved, and then reduces the final recovery by that percentage.

Insurance companies often try to place an unfair share of blame on the victim to protect their profits. 

We fight these tactics with facts and evidence.

• Fault Assessment: Courts assign a specific percentage of responsibility to each party involved.
• Recovery Reduction: Your final amount reflects the share of blame assigned to the other party.
• Evidence: We use witness statements and photos to protect your family from unfair claims of fault.

Our firm makes sure the facts remain clear throughout the process. We have managed these challenges for families across the Puget Sound for over 130 years. Accountability remains our primary focus throughout the entire legal process. Call our office today to talk about your case.

Documenting Serious Injuries and Survival Actions

Survival actions seek recovery for the pain your loved one experienced before they passed away. These claims require detailed medical records to show the severity of the physical harm. 

We look at documentation for serious injuries, such as a Traumatic Brain Injury, to show how they affect the value of the claim. A Traumatic Brain Injury happens when a sudden jolt to the head disrupts brain function.

Catastrophic injuries like severe burns also require careful documentation. We use hospital records and specialist reports to show the pain and suffering involved. These records provide the proof necessary to show the insurance company why a fair settlement is required.

• Medical Records: These files show the surgeries and treatments your loved one received.
• Pain and Suffering: This is the legal term for the physical and emotional distress felt before death.
• Survival Action: This claim allows the estate to recover money for the losses suffered before the person died.

We handle the process of requesting and organizing these medical files. This work allows your family to stay together without worrying about hospital paperwork. We focus on how these injuries change the legal value of your case and show the insurance company the true impact of the loss. Call our office today to talk about your case.

The Statute of Limitations in Washington

Washington law sets a strict time limit for filing a wrongful death claim. RCW 4.16.080 generally gives a family three years from the date of the death to take legal action. Missing this three-year limit means the court will likely dismiss the case.

A strong case requires us to act quickly while evidence still exists. Video footage from a nearby store or fresh witness memories disappear over time. We begin work early to ensure that we preserve every detail for your claim.

• The Three Year Limit: Laws require you to file your case within three years of the loss.
• Evidence Preservation: We secure photos and statements before they are lost or destroyed.
• Legal Deadlines: Our team manages all the filings to keep your case moving forward.

Our firm tracks all these important dates for you. We manage the timelines so your family does not have to worry about legal calendars. Call us as soon as you can so we can begin the investigation and protect your rights.

Actions You Can Take From Home

Simple actions at home help our team as we build your claim. You can keep a folder for all the paperwork you receive after the loss. This includes medical bills, funeral expenses, and letters from insurance companies. 

We recommend avoiding discussions with insurance adjusters from the other party until you have spoken with us.

• Keep all bills related to the final medical care provided to your loved one.
• Save a record of funeral and burial costs for our review.
• Call our office if you receive a letter or a phone call from an insurance company.

We offer mobile appointments where our team comes to your home if traveling to our offices feels difficult. We provide the support you need in a way that respects your situation. Our goal is to make this process easier for your family. We are ready to help you whenever you feel prepared to talk.

Our 130-Year History in the Puget Sound

Jacobs & Jacobs has remained a steady presence in the Puget Sound area since 1893. We serve families in Olympia, Kent, and Puyallup with compassion and strength. Our history of serving Washington since 1893 shows our dedication to treating our neighbors with respect. 

We are members of the local community who care about the people here.

• Our satellite office in Olympia provides a local base for Thurston County families.
• A team of over 50 members makes sure we have the resources to manage your claim.
• Primary offices in Kent and Puyallup support our work across the region.

We provide honest and hopeful guidance throughout the legal process. Our team is ready to listen to your story and help you find a path forward. We possess the experience needed to hold major companies and insurance providers accountable. Call our office today to talk about your situation.

Lost a loved one due to negligence? A wrongful death lawyer can help your family seek justice and financial security.

Don’t let insurance companies undervalue your claim. Our experienced injury attorneys fight for your maximum compensation—so you can focus on healing. No fees unless we win!

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FAQs

Who possesses the legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Washington?

State law requires the personal representative of the estate to file the wrongful death lawsuit. The court appoints a person to fill this part if a will does not name one. While the representative officially starts the case, the money we recover goes to the surviving family members.

What losses can a family seek a recovery for after a death?

Families seek money for losses that fall into two main categories:economic and non-economic damages. This includes economic losses like funeral costs and the loss of future income, as well as non-economic losses such as the loss of love and companionship. We work to make sure every loss appears clearly in the documentation submitted to the insurance company.

Can a family file a claim if the death happened instantly?

Yes, a family still possesses the right to file a wrongful death claim in this situation. The claim focuses on funeral costs and the loss of the person’s support for their family members. We still hold the responsible party accountable for the loss of life.

How does the pure comparative fault rule impact the case?

The rule allows a family to get a recovery even if their loved one was partly at fault. The final amount reflects the percentage of blame assigned to the other party. We use evidence to protect your family from unfair claims of fault by insurance companies.

How long does a wrongful death claim typically take?

Every case is unique and depends on the complexity of the investigation. Some cases reach a resolution in a few months, while others take longer if they must go to court. We work to resolve your claim as efficiently as possible while protecting your rights.

What happens if the negligent person also died in the accident?

Washington law allows you to file a wrongful death claim against the estate of the negligent individual. Our team investigates the insurance policies held by that person to find the coverage your family requires. We manage the communication with the estate representatives so you do not have to handle these interactions.

We Will Take It From Here

Your family needs a legal team that provides strength and capable assistance during this difficult time. We manage the legal details and the investigations so you can stay with your loved ones. 

Call our office today to talk about your case and learn how we provide the advocacy you need. We have the history and the resources to help you seek accountability. We will take it from here.