What is the Process for Wrongful Death Claims?
One of the most difficult things a person can endure is the loss of a loved one. When it happens suddenly and is someone else’s fault, that loss is especially difficult to accept. Nothing can ever take the place of your loved one but winning a wrongful death claim can provide a sense of justice being served and also ease the financial struggles the family are going through.
For wrongful death claims, the cause of the accident and how the accident brought about the family member’s death generally require extensive investigation. This is why the family members should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Washington before a lawsuit is filed in a wrongful death case.
To establish if there was evidence in the accident of wrongdoing, your wrongful death lawyer will review all the medical records, interview witnesses and consult experts. All potential defendants in the case will need to be identified by the attorney, including those who may reside in other states or countries.
The lawsuit will be filed once your attorney has gathered evidence supporting a wrongful death lawsuit. A personal representative is appointed to file a wrongful death case. This person could be either a family member or a third-party with no interest in the outcome of the case.
The plaintiff and defendants will exchange evidence, records, and other information during discovery, including taking dispositions and answering written questions. Expert witnesses may also be involved in wrongful death cases to review the evidence and provide an opinion on the cause of death and who was responsible.
The parties may decide to settle the case at any time before the end of the trial, which may be better for the family who will then not have to go through the difficult process of a trial. This provides some predictability in the outcome instead of the case being left to a jury to decide if the accident was caused by the defendants.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Attorney in Edmonds WA
It is devastating having to face the death of a family member or a loved one, but the situation is even more tragic when that death is wrongfully caused by someone else’s negligence.
Wrongful death litigation can be complex in Washington State, and there is a time limit for filing a wrongful death lawsuit. The experienced attorneys at Cunnane Law understand fully the trauma and hardships that families deal with when facing a wrongful death. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and allow us to help you seek justice and maximum compensation for the wrongful death of your loved one.
Note: This information was provided not for any specific claim and is written in broad and general terms and may not be the right path to follow for a particular claim or case. This information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. It is always best to receive direct legal counsel for your legal issues. It is never too early to call the attorney, but it can be too late.