Wrongful Death

If your loved one was killed due to the negligent actions of another person or organization in their workplace, you have the legal right to collect appropriate damages as compensation for lost wages, medical bills, long-term care and other damages. A wrongful death will have a significant impact on your family and you will have to consider how you will provide for the future. Brett & Coats, PLLC attorneys have helped many Washington families recover damages after the wrongful death of a loved one.

According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, fatal workplace injuries claim about 17 people a day in the United States. Industries with the highest average rates for fatal occupational injury include agriculture / forestry / fishing; construction and transportation / communications / public utilities. The leading causes of fatal occupational injury include motor vehicle-related injuries and machine-related injuries.

Wrongful death lawsuits and claims may be brought by the spouse or children of the victim. In some instances, these claims are filed in order to obtain monetary damages to cover the earnings the deceased person would have provided. Other damages that may be recovered include:

• Expense associated with the death, e.g., medical and funeral
• Loss of financial support
• Lost of benefits, such as insurance, from the death
• Loss of inheritance from an untimely death
• Loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection or care suffered by the survivor of the decedent

It is very important after any negligent injury or death that you contact a skilled wrongful death lawyer before you speak to the insurance company. The insurance companies are businesses and they do not make money by paying out claims. They have an adjuster and attorneys on their side whose job is to deny your claim or persuade you to accept a reduced settlement, regardless of the circumstances and your very real injuries.

In all matters involving wrongful death it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to file a lawsuit prior to the deadline imposed by the statute of limitations. Don’t delay. You may have a valid wrongful death claim and be entitled to compensation for your loss, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

We offer a free initial evaluation of your claim. Our attorneys give proactive attention to the needs of each family. We help by coordinating medical payments, organizing documentation and supporting each family through the sometimes difficult claims process. Since insurance companies know our firm's determination to litigate cases when a settlement offer is inadequate, we are usually able to resolve wrongful death claims through negotiation. Call the attorneys at Brett & Coats, PLLC today at 360-714-0900 or 1-800-925-1875, or contact us through our online form.