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Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyer
Find out why we are one of the best wrongful death law firms in Tacoma
Tacoma Wrongful Death Attorneys
Losing a loved one due to someone’s negligence can be the most traumatizing experience of your life. You and your family are affected by this loss and the trauma that stems from it. You have rights, and our Tacoma wrongful death lawyers are available 24/7 to help you through this time.
For 30+ years, we have assisted families like yours in such cases and helped them get justice and compensation for their suffering. Our wrongful death law firm understands your pain, and we will provide the support and help you need.
Book an in-person or online appointment to discuss the details. Call (253) 259-3276 and get a free consultation from our Tacoma wrongful death attorneys.
Our Verdicts and Settlements
A 42-year-old Tacoma resident, a married father of two, visited a local hospital with chest pain and shortness of breath. The emergency room physician misdiagnosed his condition as acid reflux, discharging him without ordering a CT scan or cardiac tests. Hours later, he suffered a fatal heart attack due to an undiagnosed aortic dissection.
July 2024
A 65-year-old retired teacher was killed in a head-on collision on State Route 16 in Tacoma when a drunk driver, with a BAC of 0.19, crossed the median and struck her vehicle.
January 2025
Types of Wrongful Death Lawsuits We Address in Tacoma
Wrongful deaths can happen due to various accidents that are driven by different types of negligence. These different accident types result in varying wrongful death lawsuits, and each one requires a specific process.
In 2023, the city had 35 vehicle crash-related fatalities. [1] In 2024, 32 auto accident fatalities were reported in Tacoma. The majority of these deaths involved pedestrians. [2]
The types of wrongful death lawsuits that we address include, but are not limited to:
- Auto Accidents
- Animal Attacks
- Defective Products
- Medical Malpractice
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Workplace Accidents
If your loved one was a victim of one of these accidents, you might have a wrongful death claim. Let our Tacoma wrongful death lawyers analyze your case and help you through the next steps.
Wrongful Death vs. Survival Actions in Tacoma
When dealing with a fatal accident, families in Tacoma may pursue both wrongful death and survival actions. While these two legal avenues overlap in some ways, they serve different purposes and address different aspects of the loss.
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between wrongful death and survival actions:
Survival Action
A survival action focuses on the harm and damages suffered by the deceased person before their death. It allows the estate to pursue compensation for pain, suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages that the deceased experienced before passing away.
Who Can File: The personal representative of the deceased’s estate files a survival action. This person may be appointed in the will or designated by the court if there is no will.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death claim is intended to compensate the surviving family members or beneficiaries for their losses after a loved one’s death. It focuses on the impact the death has had on the survivors, including emotional and financial suffering.
Who Can File: Wrongful death claims are typically filed by surviving family members, such as a spouse, children, or parents, or a personal representative of the deceased’s estate.
Example Scenario
In a truck accident case, if the victim survives for a period of time after the accident, the wrongful death claim will seek compensation for the survivors’ grief and loss of financial support.
At the same time, a survival action can be filed to seek damages for the pain and suffering the deceased experienced during the time they were alive after the accident, as well as for their medical expenses and lost wages.
Types of Compensation Available in a Tacoma Wrongful Death Claim
The compensation for a wrongful death claim can vary, depending on the type of claim. Usually, the immediate expenses and financial losses are covered by such claims. However, the emotional impact of the tragic event can also be a determining factor.
Therefore, you might be entitled to the following compensation types:
- Funeral and Burial Expenses: The costs associated with the funeral and burial of the deceased. This can include expenses such as funeral service fees, casket costs, burial or cremation fees, and other related expenses.
- Loss of Financial Support: Compensation for the financial contributions the deceased would have made to their family if they had survived. This can include income, benefits, and support the deceased provided to their spouse, children, or other dependents.
- Loss of Companionship and Emotional Support: This money is provided for the emotional and psychological toll the death has on survivors, including the loss of love, guidance, care, and affection from the deceased. It can be awarded to close family members such as a spouse, children, or parents.
- Loss of Parental Guidance (for Minor Children): In cases where the deceased was a parent of minor children, compensation may be awarded for the loss of parental guidance, nurturing, and support that the children would have received from their parents.
- Lost Inheritance: Compensation for the financial loss that the survivors will experience due to the decedent’s death. It takes into account the deceased’s potential future earnings, investments, and contributions that would have benefited their family.
- Medical Expenses: If the deceased incurred medical bills for treatment following the accident, these costs can be reimbursed as part of the wrongful death claim. This may include hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and other healthcare-related expenses incurred before their death.
- Pain and Suffering: This is awarded for the pain and suffering the deceased experienced before their death, especially if the person survived for a period after the accident. This can cover physical pain, emotional distress, and suffering before the decedent passes away.
- Property Damage: If the deceased’s personal property (such as a vehicle) was damaged in the accident, the survivors may be entitled to compensation for the repair or replacement of that property.
While it may not make up for your loss, our Tacoma wrongful death attorneys will fight to get the maximum compensation for you.
Table of Contents
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Tacoma Wrongful Death Attorneys
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Our Verdicts and Settlements
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Types of Wrongful Death Lawsuits We Address in Tacoma
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Wrongful Death vs. Survival Actions in Tacoma
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Types of Compensation Available in a Tacoma Wrongful Death Claim
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How to Prove a Wrongful Death Claim in Tacoma
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Parties That Can Pursue a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Tacoma
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Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Deaths in Washington
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Tacoma Wrongful Death Resources
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What Our Clients Are Saying About Us - Client Reviews
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Why Choose Our Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyers?
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FAQs
Tacoma Practice Areas
How to Prove a Wrongful Death Claim in Tacoma
Proving a wrongful death claim requires a demonstration of the wrongdoing that led to the passing of your loved one. This process requires us to show that the direct actions of the responsible parties were directly or indirectly the reason behind your loved one’s death.
The process of proving a wrongful death claim includes the following:
- Duty of Care: We must show that the defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased. For example, drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely, doctors must provide proper medical care, and employers must maintain a safe workplace.
- Breach of Duty: We will demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty of care. This could involve actions like drunk driving, failure to maintain equipment, or medical malpractice. Breach means the defendant did something they should not have, or failed to do something they should have.
- Establish Causation: We will have to prove that the breach of duty directly caused the decedent’s death. This involves showing that if the defendant had acted differently, the fatal accident or event would not have occurred.
- Damages: Our wrongful death law firm will demonstrate that the death resulted in specific financial and emotional losses for you, aka the surviving family members. This could include loss of income, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.
We know the challenges that arise from a loved one’s sudden passing. So, do not worry about legal factors like this, and leave it to our Tacoma wrongful death lawyers.
Parties That Can Pursue a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Tacoma
The wrongful death claim can be filed by various parties related to the deceased person. This usually includes their immediate family, but various other parties might also have a right to pursue a legal claim.
Therefore, the parties that can pursue a wrongful death claim include the following:
Spouse
A surviving spouse has the right to file a wrongful death claim if their partner has passed away due to another party’s negligence or intentional act.
Children
Children, including biological, adopted, or sometimes stepchildren, can file a wrongful death lawsuit if their parent dies. If the decedent has no surviving spouse, children are typically the next in line to pursue compensation.
Parents
In cases where the deceased is a minor or does not have a surviving spouse or children, the parents of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim. This is especially common when a child’s life is lost in an accident.
Siblings
If the decedent has no spouse, children, or parents, siblings may be able to file the claim, although this is less common and varies depending on the specific circumstances and the laws of Washington State.
Personal Representative of the Estate
A personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file the wrongful death claim if none of the immediate family members are available or if the estate is being handled separately. The personal representative is typically appointed through the decedent’s will or by the court.
Other Dependents or Heirs
In some cases, other individuals who were financially dependent on the decedent may be allowed to file a wrongful death claim. This can include people who relied on the deceased for support, such as elderly parents or individuals who were financially supported by the decedent.
If you have lost a loved one due to someone’s neglect, let our Tacoma wrongful death attorneys help you through the legal process.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Deaths in Washington
The Statute of Limitations is the time limit within which a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed. In Washington, the Statute of Limitations for wrongful death claims is generally three years from the date of the decedent’s death, as per RCW 4.201010
The clock starts ticking from the date of death, not necessarily from the date of the accident or injury that caused the death. This means if the person was seriously injured but survived for some time before passing, the time limit still begins on the day they passed away.
Tacoma Wrongful Death Resources
Local Grief Counselors:
Good Treasures Counseling Center
(509) 461-2496
Fort Lewis/Tacoma, WA 98498
Kristin Mize – Grief Counselor
(253) 281-4913
Tacoma, WA 98407
*Note: We do not endorse these grief-counseling services. These are suggestions made by our clients in Tacoma.
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us - Client Reviews
Why Choose Our Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyers?
The aftermath of a wrongful death can be overwhelming in many ways. Aside from the emotional trauma, you have suffered a serious loss that entitles you to take legal action.
Here’s why you should choose Goldberg & Loren for your wrongful death case:
- Compassionate and Dedicated Representation: Our wrongful death law firm is committed to providing compassionate and personalized legal services.
- No Win, No Fee: We offer contingency fee arrangements, meaning you only pay us if we win your case.
- Over 30 Years of Experience: Our attorneys have over three decades of experience handling wrongful death cases. We understand the complexities of these cases and will work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable.
- Over $500 Million in Compensation Recovered: With more than $500 million recovered for our clients, Goldberg & Loren has a proven track record of achieving substantial settlements and verdicts in wrongful death and truck accident cases.
- Proven Success in Wrongful Death Cases: We have successfully recovered compensation for families who have lost loved ones due to the negligence of liable parties.
On top of all this, we handle the legal matters while your family grieves. Together, we will pursue compensation and justice for your suffering. Contact our Tacoma wrongful death lawyers today, as we are open now to provide you with a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It usually depends on the type of accident that led to the death. However, in most cases, visual evidence of the accident can be vital, such as footage or photos of the accident. Also, witness testimonies, police reports, medical records, and various other documents can be key.
You should write down your experience and cover everything in detail, such as dates, location, time, etc. Collect and organize the evidence necessary for your case, such as accident reports, medical records, photos, and witness statements.
Gather all the documentation you can, as mentioned before. Avoid speaking with insurers without a lawyer. Gather key evidence and talk to a Tacoma wrongful death attorney to pursue legal action against the responsible party.
The liability of a wrongful death claim depends on the type of accident that led to the death of your loved one. For instance, a car accident-related death may make the responsible driver liable. In other cases, companies, manufacturers, property owners, medical professionals, etc., can be liable.
It usually depends on the complexity of the case and whether the liable party is willing to negotiate for settlements. If they do, the case that ends with negotiations only lasts a few months, usually 3-6 months. However, cases that go to trial take considerably longer.
Sources:
[1] Johnson, S., & Bsanti, P. (2024, February 1). How many deadly crashes occurred in Tacoma last year? Data indicates a worsening crisis. Tacoma News Tribune. https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article284819381.html
[2] Washington Traffic Safety Commission. (2024c, October 17). Fatalities Dashboard – Washington Traffic Safety Commission. https://wtsc.wa.gov/dashboards/fatalities-dashboard/
Our Tacoma wrongful death lawyers understand how difficult it is after losing a loved one. We want to help you through the legalities and get the justice your family rightfully deserves.
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