Wrongful Death Litigation Under Washington Law
At J. Michael Koch & Associates, P.S., Inc., our attorneys help families get through the hard transition that follows any fatal accident. We offer dependable legal counsel in a caring and supportive atmosphere. Our firm has served the needs of Kitsap families since 1973, and we know what clients need and expect from their attorneys in wrongful death litigation.
If you need advice about your legal options in the aftermath of a fatal car crash, truck collision or work-related accident, contact us in Silverdale for a free evaluation of your legal options. The basic processes and objectives in wrongful death litigation resemble those of a personal injury lawsuit, but there are some important legal differences that you need to take into account.
For example, a parent can only recover wrongful death damages for the loss of an adult child in limited circumstances in Washington. Other elements of damages are prescribed by state law, including:
- Economic losses represented by the income of a deceased spouse or parent.
- Medical expenses and reasonable funeral expenses.
- Loss of consortium or companionship represented by the loss of a spouse.
- Loss of a parent-child relationship following the death of a child or parent.
- Loss of parental guidance or moral support.
- In many cases, the decedent's conscious pain and suffering between the accident and time of death.
The kinds of damages that the law will recognize in a wrongful death case can vary considerably from one family's situation to another, even in similar accident scenarios. Our attorneys can give you a good idea of what to expect.
Serving Clients in Bremerton, Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County
We also serve as a resource to grieving families. One family's needs are often very different from another's, different family members might encounter different problems, and individual emotional needs will frequently change over time. With long client service experience across a wide range of circumstances, our lawyers can adapt our approach to your unique requirements.
For additional information about what a wrongful death lawsuit might mean in your situation, contact our office in Silverdale.
