Wrongful Death Attorney
Losing someone you loved before their time can be a devastating tragedy. If that death was the result of careless or reckless behavior by another person, this loss can be even more heart-wrenching, knowing that it could have been prevented with proper care and attention. Many families who have suffered a wrongful death are entitled to compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit or insurance claim. No amount of money can bring back the person that was lost. However, it can help grieving families cover the expenses associated with their loss and begin to rebuild their lives.
Compassionate help after the death of a loved one
When seeking damages after a loved one’s death, choose a Washington wrongful death attorney with the experience and compassion you need at this challenging time. Contact the knowledgeable and trial-ready Vancouver wrongful death lawyer John Lutgens to discuss your potential wrongful death lawsuit, and find out how he can help you get the justice you deserve after the death of a spouse or family member.
What are wrongful death claims?
A wrongful death lawsuit is, essentially, a way to bring the claim for damages that an accident victim would have been able to bring had they survived. If the victim was fatally injured as the result of, for example, another driver’s dangerous driving, that victim would have been able to sue the at-fault driver for their medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and lost wages, in addition to any other costs they may have incurred due to the accident, had the injuries not been fatal. In a wrongful death claim, certain relatives of the deceased person can bring some of these claims on behalf of the one who died, as well as claims they may have for their own injuries or losses caused by the death. Wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within three years of the date that the victim died.
Only certain family members of a deceased person can bring wrongful death lawsuits. These include:
- The personal representative of the person killed, either as named in the deceased person’s will or appointed by the court
- The victim’s spouse or domestic partner
- The victim’s child or stepchild
- The parents or siblings of the victim, but only if the victim was not married or in a domestic partnership and had no children.
Types of damages available in wrongful death lawsuits
A wrongful death lawsuit offers victims’ families an opportunity to seek compensation for their losses associated with a death, including:
- Medical bills resulting from the treatment the victim received at the end of their life
- Costs related to the victim’s funeral
- The income and wages that the deceased person would have earned, had they survived
- Costs to replace or repair property damaged in the accident
- Compensation for the pain and suffering of the victim prior to their death
- Compensation for the lost companionship, care and guidance suffered by the children, parents, siblings, or spouse of the victim
Get Justice for Your Loved One and Help with Your Expenses after a Wrongful Death in Vancouver
Get help seeking the money you’re owed after the tragic loss of a loved one in a Washington wrongful death accident by contacting the seasoned and professional Vancouver wrongful death lawyer John Lutgens for a no-cost consultation at 360-693-2119.
