Did you lose a loved one in a fatal accident in Federal Way? If someone else was responsible for their death, you need to check whether you can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Understandably, you are in shock, but this is also the time to consider the impact of their death on your future. You need to find a reliable Federal Way wrongful death lawyer who can offer an assessment for your case. Here are some quick aspects worth knowing.
What is wrongful death?
If someone was negligent, which led to another person’s death, it is a case of wrongful death. For example, if the victim was walking the road and another car hit them, causing their death, the family members have the option to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Such cases can be further classified into two categories. The first type is general wrongful death lawsuits, which compensate the beneficiaries (usually the immediate family) of the victim. The second type is survival claims, which reimburse the victim through their estate.
Filing a wrongful death claim
Compared to a typical injury lawsuit, wrongful death cases are way more complex and can be hard to evaluate. Instead of trying to understand Washington laws without insights, consider meeting an attorney who will look into the facts and give you a fair evaluation based on the available evidence. You must file a summons and a complaint, following which the lawsuit starts against the other party. There is also a deadline set by the statute of limitations in Washington. If you want to file a lawsuit after a loved one’s death, you must do so within three years of their death.
Other things to know
While many wrongful death lawsuits end up in court, others are settled in other ways. There are alternative dispute resolutions you can consider, such as arbitration and mediation. You can always go to trial if there is no room for negotiation. Not all law firms in the Federal Way take wrongful death cases, so you must do some initial work to find the right lawyer. Check with the attorney and see if they have represented clients in court for such lawsuits. As for the cost of legal help, you don’t pay a fee until you win. The contingency arrangement is a great advantage for families already dealing with financial losses after losing a loved one.
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