Vancouver Wrongful Death Lawyers
EXPERIENCED WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING FAMILIES IN THE GREATER VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON AREA
Losing a family member or loved one is devastating. When someone else’s negligence resulted in the loss of someone you love, you may have a legal right to seek compensation for that loss. While no amount of compensation could ever replace what you’ve lost, you should not have to endure unnecessary financial burdens on top of your grief.
Rebuilding your life and your future without your loved one is hard enough without burial expenses, and the loss of support. For these reasons, many Vancouver families choose to seek legal representation.
At Schauermann Thayer, our Vancouver wrongful death attorneys are here to take the legal burdens off your shoulders. We can help you explore your legal options after a tragic loss and offer you the legal support and guidance you need. You can contact us today by filling out a contact form, or calling now (360) 695-4244 to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Our Vancouver Wrongful Death Lawyers
In Vancouver, Washington, families and survivors are often left to deal with medical and funeral expenses on their own. In addition, they must learn to cope with life-long emotional impact after the loss of a primary wage earner in the family.
If you have lost a family member or loved one because another person was negligent or in an accident, it may benefit you to speak with one of our Vancouver wrongful death attorneys. Our handling of wrongful death cases has resulted in fair compensation for grieving families across Vancouver.
We work with an extensive network of medical professionals, engineers, and other experts to build the strongest possible cases for our clients and their families.
Our Vancouver wrongful death attorneys understand that it is impossible to put a price on a human life. We are also familiar with the financial and emotional challenges faced by those who have lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence. Our Vancouver personal injury legal team is here to support and advocate for you when it is time to do what is right for your family.
We encourage you to contact us for experienced legal representation you can trust. Getting an attorney involved early on can help protect your rights.
Understanding Wrongful Death Laws in Washington
Wrongful or accidental death cases are subject to specific laws and rules that less experienced attorneys may not even know about. When the worst happens, you and your family need the legal knowledge that comes from proven experience.
In Washington State, when a loved one dies as a result of the negligence of another, survivors such as spouses, children, or other family of the deceased may make a wrongful or accidental death claim against the responsible party.
The damages recoverable may include:
- Medical expenses before their death;
- Funeral and burial expenses;
- Loss of financial support;
- Lost earnings and earnings capacity;
- Loss of love and affection of the deceased; and/or
- Pain suffered by the deceased before death.
A personal injury lawyer can help bring a claim on behalf of survivors or on behalf of the decedent’s estate.
Types of Accidents that Result in Wrongful Death
Our Vancouver wrongful death attorneys have advocated skillfully for many Southwest Washington and Portland, Oregon area families when they needed to take legal action to hold insurers, corporations, and negligent individuals financially responsible for a wrongful or accidental death.
Applying decades of experience in insurance negotiations and litigation, we can assist in cases arising from:
- Car accidents, as well as other traffic accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists;
- Trucking accidents (some of which may require litigation in federal court);
- Motorcycle accidents;
- Aviation and marine accidents, including aircraft accidents and boating-related deaths;
- Construction accidents resulting in wrongful death on the job; and/or
- Manufacturer negligence in providing dangerous or defective products.
At a time when the grief associated with a fatal car crash or other accident impacting your family may be utterly consuming, we strive to offer useful legal knowledge and calm reassurance.
At Schauermann Thayer, we have extensive experience investigating and pursuing possible civil remedies for fatal accidents. We encourage you to contact us today to talk through your situation, at no charge, with one of the experienced attorneys in our firm.
Who is to Blame After a Wrongful Death in Vancouver
No one ever expects to lose a loved one in an accident. If you lost a loved one in such an accident, you may wonder who is to blame and who you can file a claim against.
In most cases, the party at fault for a wrongful death is the one who caused the accident that resulted in the victim’s death.
In some cases, multiple parties can face fault for a wrongful death. For example, if your loved one was killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, both a bar which overserved the driver and the drunk driver of the car can share liability.
Once you have determined who is at fault for the death of your loved one, you can file a claim against them. In most cases, you will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you are unable to reach an agreement with the insurance company, you may need to take legal action and file a lawsuit.
If your loved one was killed in an accident, it is important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
When someone dies due to the negligence or intentional wrongdoings of another, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil lawsuit and is separate from any criminal proceedings.
In Washington, there are three main elements that must be proven to win a wrongful death case:
1) That the death was caused by the defendant’s negligence or wrongful act;
2) That the survivors have suffered financial damages as a result of the death; and
3) That there is a personal representative appointed to represent the estate of the deceased.
If your attorney can prove these elements can be proven, then the courts may award damages to survivors for their losses. These damages can include medical and funeral expenses, loss of earnings, and loss of companionship.
Contact Our Vancouver Wrongful Death Lawyers Today
If you lost someone in a tragic accident because of another person’s negligence, it is essential to know that you are not alone. You can contact us today by filling out a contact form, or calling now (360) 695-4244 to schedule a free consultation. At Schauermann Thayer, our Vancouver wrongful death lawyers know that you need a strong legal advocate in your corner during this difficult time.
We want to take the legal burdens off your shoulders — so that you can focus on your family and on grieving the loss of your loved one.
Contact a Vancouver wrongful death attorney from Schauermann Thayer to explore your legal options in a free consultation. Call us or e-mail us, and we will get back to you promptly.