Wrongful Death Lawyers
The unnecessary death of a loved one may well be the most traumatic event a person could ever experience. When a death occurs from an act of negligence, a wrongful action, or a complete lack of action in the face of a crisis (and is caused by another person or an entity), it is generally considered a wrongful death.
There are a number of causes of wrongful deaths across the United States, but the primary causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents (including cars, large trucks, and motorcycles)
- Medical malpractice
- Slip and falls
- Accidents in the workplace
- Death from defective products
- Exposure to toxic materials
- Boating accidents
- Fataldog bites
- Swimming pool accidents
- Criminal assault
A wrongful death not only causes emotional trauma for loved ones but may also leave families struggling financially due to the loss of financial support. The children of a deceased parent have lost the future financial support of that parent and have also lost parental care and guidance. The surviving spouse of the deceased has had a future with the person they loved taken away from them, as well as financial support and help raising the children. Absolutely no amount of money can compensate family members who have lost a loved one, yet a financial settlement gained through a civil action can help ease the financial devastation resulting from a wrongful death.
For your FREE initial consultation, call Palace Law at (253) 544-5935 or us our online contact form.
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I had an outstanding experience working with Ciana on a personal injury matter. Without her expertise, I would have never realized that I even had a case. Ciana’s attention to detail and deep understanding of personal injury law were invaluable. She guided me through every step with professionalism and care, ensuring I understood the process and felt supported. Thanks to her diligence and expertise, what could have been overlooked became a well-handled case. I highly recommend Ciana to anyone needing a knowledgeable and dedicated legal professional.
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- Jay R.
Hailey was super helpful and communication was always prompt and professional. Thank you for all your hard work Hailey and the rest of the team at Palace law.
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- Former Client
They are an amazing team and made my case an easy process to cope with. They stayed in great communication with me every step of the way and fought to maximize my profit. Palace Law is hands down THE BEST law firm I’ve dealt with. Attorney John H and assistant Hailey make an amazing team.
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I highly recommend Palace Law for your work place injury. I would definitely use them again but hopefully I won’t have to.
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I’ve spent the last 7 years working with them and it hasn’t been a easy ride but they work very hard to get the best outcome for there clients. Sandra has done an outstanding job keeping me informed of the process and keeping me feel safe and secure with my future. I couldn’t of asked for a better person and team to help me during this stressful time and working hard to get me what I deserved.
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- Chad F.
Exceptional legal representation! My experience with Kim was outstanding. She was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and dedicated to ensuring I received the outcome I deserved. Kim’s communication throughout the process was clear and timely, providing me with peace of mind during a challenging time.
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- Kelly Y.
Aria has been working with me and she is very thorough. I don’t get good sleep at night because of my injury but knowing that Palace Law is on the job gives me peace of mind specially, when they have employees like Aria thanks for letting me give my feedback and putting me in a position to give feedback.
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- Jacob H.
They have been entirely helpful since they accepted my case. Thorough and informative every step of the way. When I had an IME and no gas in my car they arranged for a ride to and from. After fighting tooth and nail myself with little to no results Palace Law stepped in and immediately Sedgwick stopped dragging me through the mud.
Factors in Wrongful Deaths
According to the NHTSA for those under the age of 35, auto accidents are the primary cause of a wrongful death. That being said, an article in the Washington Post lists medical errors as the third leading cause of death, after cancer and heart disease. This means that medical errors and auto accidents are the top two causes of wrongful deaths in the United States. Medical errors can include surgical errors, hospital infections, being given the wrong prescription drug (or in the wrong dosage), misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses, and birth injuries caused by malpractice. Any time a medical professional fails to provide the required level of care and death results, a wrongful death may have occurred.
Workplace injuries and occupational diseases are often responsible for wrongful deaths—any death which occurs in the workplace as a result of company negligence can be considered a wrongful death. This company negligence could include illness due to an unsafe work environment, improper training, dangerous machine-related accidents, fires or explosions, or faulty equipment. Defective products can often be traced back to the designers or manufacturers who must minimize the risk of harm from their products to the general public. When death results from a flawed product design, a defective manufacturing process, or a failure to warn consumers of potential hazards, a wrongful death may have occurred. A slip and fall accident, with a resulting death which was caused by a negligent act or a failure to respond to a hazard, may also be considered a wrongful death.
Who Is Allowed to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Washington & Oregon?
A person who dies in Washington or Oregon leaves behind an “estate.” This estate includes everything owned by the person at the time of death. A personal representative or executor is likely named in the will if the person had a will. If there was no will, the court would appoint a personal representative.
Washington and Oregon law allows the following parties to file a wrongful death claim:
- The decedent’s named personal representative (or the personal representative appointed by the court)
- The decedent’s spouse
- The decedent’s state-registered domestic partner
- The decedent’s child, children, or stepchildren
In the states of Washington and Oregon, a wrongful death claim must be made within three years of the date of the death.
How an Attorney Can Help Following a Wrongful Death
Those who have lost a loved one as a direct result of negligence may consider filing a wrongful death claim. Speaking to a knowledgeable attorney before filing a wrongful death claim is extremely important to ensure you understand all your options. An experienced attorney from Palace Law can help you with your Washington or Oregon wrongful death claim professionally and compassionately, using all the resources at his or her disposal. Our attorneys can help grieving family members recover just compensation. Our attorneys help survivors recover from their loss, aggressively dealing with insurance companies while fighting for the rights of those left behind.
Contact a wrongful death attorney from Palace Law today for a comprehensive evaluation of your claim.
