VANCOUVER WRONGFUL
DEATH ATTORNEY

Vancouver, WA 
Wrongful Death Lawyer

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No one ever expects to be in the position where filing a wrongful death lawsuit is a possibility. Bringing forth a wrongful death lawsuit means that the victim(s) has lost a family member due to the wrongful acts of another – a tragic situation. Filing a wrongful death action for damages may be the only way that surviving family is able to recover compensation and move on with their lives. If you live in Vancouver, WA, and you have lost a family member due to the wrongful or negligent acts of another party, contact a Vancouver wrongful death attorney today for a free case review and consultation.

What Is a 
Wrongful Death Case?

The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to hold a defendant who caused the death of another liable for their actions and the death, and seek damages as such. As found in the Revised Code of Washington section 4.20.010, a person maintains the right of action to bring forth a claim for wrongful death when the death of the person is caused by the “wrongful act, neglect, or default or another.” The statute continues to read that when the above condition is satisfied, the decedent’s personal representative may maintain an action for damages against the defendant. While the law reads that the personal representative is the party who can bring forth the action, section 4.20.020 of RCW states that the action may be maintained for the benefit of a:

• Spouse;
• Registered domestic partner;
• Child(ren);
• Stepchild(ren);
• Parents, brothers, or sisters who were dependent upon the deceased person for support if there are no children, stepchildren, registered domestic partner, or spouse of the decedent.

A successful wrongful death claim is one that proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the death of the decedent would not have occurred but for the wrongful or neglectful actions of the deceased, and that the decedent’s estate/beneficiaries have suffered harm as a result. The elements of a wrongful death claim are duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. If each element is not established with evidence, a case will not be successful. For this reason, an experienced wrongful death lawyer will be your best ally.

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Damages Recoverable 
in a Vancouver Wrongful Death Case

Victims of wrongful death may seek both economic and noneconomic damages on the behalf of the beneficiaries of a deceased’s estates (those parties listed above). These damages include:

• Costs of hospital and medical bills related to the injury prior to death;
• Funeral and burial expenses;
• Lost income that the deceased would have recovered but for death and loss of earning capacity;
• Any property damage costs incurred by the deceased’s estate (such as the value of a car totaled in a fatal car accident);
• Damages for the pain and suffering of the deceased (but not of the plaintiff or beneficiaries); and
• The value of loss of care, companionship, parental guidance, consortium, etc. suffered by the spouse, children, or other families members of the decedent.

Statute of Limitations 
for a Vancouver Wrongful Death Claim

All civil actions, including wrongful death claims, must be brought forth within a certain amount of time. If they are not, victims of wrongful death will be barred from recovery. In Washington, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death action is three years from the date of death. If you wait longer than three years to file a wrongful death action, the court will likely refuse to take it.