Dedicated Vancouver, WA Wrongful Death Attorneys Ready To Fight For You
Vancouver, WA is a wonderful place to live and work. With an office downtown on Main Street, we enjoy taking full advantage of all that the city has to offer. From spending time outdoors at the Vancouver Waterfront to soaking in the city’s rich cultural history, there is truly something for everyone and endless recreation opportunities are just a few hours away.
If you call Vancouver home, you know just how special of a place it truly is. People dream of moving to the Pacific Northwest for a reason; and, for many local residents, living in Vancouver is like being on vacation every day.
Unfortunately, like all major cities, living in Vancouver is not without risk. Vehicle collisions are a daily occurrence, and many people suffer serious and fatal injuries in work-related accidents, weather-related accidents, and other types of accidents as well. Additionally, while many of Vancouver’s doctors are extremely good at what they do, malpractice is a concern here just as it is in other cities across the United States.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident or as a result of medical malpractice in Vancouver, you deserve help. At D’Amore Law Group, we are here for you, and we are prepared to assist you in any way we can.
Have You Lost a Loved One in Vancouver, WA?
No one should have to endure the suffering and grief of losing a loved one due to the negligence or criminal wrongdoing of another. Unfortunately, fatal accidents occur on a regular basis. Many of these tragic occurrences could have been prevented through the exercise of reasonable care on the part of the liable parties.
If your loved one was lost due to the negligent behavior of another party, the knowledgeable Vancouver, WA wrongful death lawyer at D’Amore Law Group is ready and willing to put their years of experience in providing trustworthy legal counsel to work to assist you today. The entire legal staff at D’Amore Law Group realizes that no dollar amount can make up for your devastating loss. However, our goal is to advise you of your legal options so you can hold the responsible party accountable and recover the damages to which you are entitled, in order to support your family during this trying time.
At D’Amore Law Group, our wrongful death lawyers in Vancouver, WA have the requisite skills and experience to handle any type of wrongful death claim. There a multitude of causes behind fatal accidents. Our law firm has a proven track record of obtaining favorable results for their clients in cases involving:
- Personal Injury
- Auto Vehicle Accidents
- Highway-Roadway Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- Bicycle Crash Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Motorbike Accidents
- Construction Accidents
- Medical Negligence and Malpractice
- Medication Errors
- Spinal Cord and Head Injury
- Sinus Surgery Injury
- Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
- Child Injury
- Product Liability
- Class Actions
- Bad Faith Attorneys & Insurance Fraud
This list is far from exhaustive. If someone you care about passes away as a result of an accident that you suspect was caused by the negligence of another party, contact the D’Amore Law Group for a free and confidential case evaluation. Our skilled Vancouver, WA wrongful death attorneys are here to assist you and your family during this traumatic event so you can focus on the recovery process.
What Is Wrongful Death?
A case qualifies under the wrongful death statute of most jurisdictions when the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another. A simple way to understand wrongful death is to view it as a personal injury case that is no longer possible because the aggrieved party died and thus cannot function as the plaintiff. To resolve this impasse, wrongful death statutes allow other people (usually family members or estate representatives) to bring the claim on the deceased individual’s behalf in order to recover compensation for their own losses stemming from the defendant’s negligence. A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit but may be filed even if the case is simultaneously being tried in a criminal court. Our compassionate and determined Vancouver, WA wrongful death lawyers can help you through this difficult time.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Typically, the following parties can file a wrongful death claim:
- The personal representative of the deceased party’s estate
- The spouse or state-registered domestic partner of the deceased party
- The child, children, or stepchildren of the deceased party
If the deceased party has no spouse, state-registered domestic partner, children, or stepchildren, their immediate family (including parents, sisters, and brothers) may alternatively submit a claim. Additionally, if the wrongful death claim involves the passing of a child under the age of 18, either parent may file a claim, regardless of their marital status – the only caveat being that, if one parent files a claim, they must provide notice to the other parent so they may join, if desired.
Who Is Liable in a Wrongful Death Case?
Determining who is liable in a wrongful death case starts with determining the specific cause of your loved one’s death. For example, vehicle collisions result from a variety of different factors, and different factors can point to liability for different parties. The same holds true for fatal accidents occurring on construction sites and under a broad range of other scenarios.
Of course, in some cases, the options will be limited. For example, if your loved one died as a result of a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose, then your loved one’s health care provider will most likely be liable. However, insurance, employment, and other issues can come into play as well, and you will need to work with an experienced attorney to identify the party (or parties) against which you should file your wrongful death claim.
How to Recover Compensation in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Filing a successful wrongful death lawsuit is complicated. There are many steps involved in the process, and there are many legal and factual issues that need to be addressed. When you choose D’Amore Law Group in Vancouver, WA, our attorneys will:
- Gather the Evidence Needed to Prove Your Claim– In any type of wrongful death lawsuit, clear evidence of liability is the key to proving your claim for damages.
- Assess the Impact of Your Loved One’s Death– As we discuss below, Washington law allows eligible family members to recover compensation for their financial and non-financial losses.
- File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit– Once we have all of the necessary information, we will file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf.
- Negotiate for a Favorable Settlement– As your case progresses, we will continually apply pressure in order to try to force a favorable settlement.
- Fight for Your Family at Trial– If you do not receive a fair settlement offer, we will take your case to trial and fight to win the compensation your family deserves.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Case?
The damages awarded from a successful wrongful death claim are generally awarded to the estate of the deceased party, or if the deceased party was a minor, to their parents. Damages can include the following:
- The deceased party’s medical expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages and income that the deceased party would have likely earned had the accident not occurred
- Compensation for the pain and suffering the deceased party experienced as a result of the accident
- Property damage costs
- Loss of care, companionship, and other intangibles on the part of the deceased party’s relatives
Contact Our Experienced Vancouver, WA Wrongful Death Attorney Today for a Free Case Evaluation
The rules governing wrongful death suits vary by jurisdiction and can be overwhelmingly complex. That is why it is vital that you contact a trustworthy and competent wrongful death attorney, like what you will find at the D’Amore Law Group, at the earliest stage possible in your case. We can provide you with insightful legal counsel so you can formulate an effective legal strategy and maximize the chances of recovery. We are conveniently located in Vancouver, WA, with additional offices in Portland, Lake Oswego, and Bend, OR. Call us today or contact us online for a free and confidential case analysis.
