Did you lose a loved one in a tragic accident in Tacoma, Washington? Was their death caused by someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior? Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer is here to help you find answers, pursue justice, and get the financial support your family deserves.
For decades, our team has stood beside families and helped them hold negligent parties accountable. We’ve recovered billions for injured clients and are ready to guide you through every step of the legal process.
You don’t have to face this situation alone. Contact us today at (253) 948-0250 to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Tacoma wrongful death lawyer.
Why Choose Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer After a Wrongful Death in Tacoma, WA?
Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer’s Tacoma personal injury attorneys have spent decades standing up for families facing unimaginable loss. We have recovered over a billion dollars for clients across Washington State and have earned a reputation for taking on complex, high-stakes wrongful death and personal injury cases.
Our legal team has been recognized by prestigious organizations like Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers for our commitment to results and compassionate client advocacy. We have the resources and experience to build a strong claim and fight for justice—whether at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to negligence or wrongful conduct, you deserve answers and accountability. Let us put our knowledge and proven track record behind your family’s wrongful death claim.
Call today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted Tacoma wrongful death attorney. We are ready to help you seek justice.
What Is a Wrongful Death Under Washington Law?
In Washington, a wrongful death is one that results from the “wrongful act, neglect, or default” of another party. This covers a wide range of situations, including accidents, reckless behavior, medical mistakes, and intentional misconduct.
If your loved one could have filed a personal injury lawsuit had they survived, their death likely qualifies as wrongful under state law. The right to pursue a claim passes to the deceased person’s surviving family members or their estate.
A wrongful death claim is separate from any criminal charges that may arise. Even if no criminal case is filed, you may still have the right to seek civil damages for your family’s losses.
How Much Is a Wrongful Death Case Worth in Tacoma?
Every wrongful death case is different, and the value of your claim will depend on numerous factors unique to your loved one and your family’s situation. While no amount of money can ever truly replace a life, financial compensation can help relieve the economic burdens that often follow a tragic loss.
Factors that influence the value of a wrongful death claim include:
- Your loved one’s age, health, and life expectancy
- Their income, earning potential, and financial contributions to your household
- Medical expenses incurred before their passing
- Funeral and burial costs
- The emotional and psychological toll on surviving family members
- The nature and severity of the at-fault party’s conduct
The best way to determine the value of your claim is to consult an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Tacoma. Our legal team works with experts and specialists to calculate the full extent of your losses. Contact us today to learn more about your options and the potential value of your claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyer?
Most wrongful death attorneys in Tacoma handle cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs to hire a lawyer, and you won’t be responsible for legal fees unless your attorney successfully recovers compensation for your family.
If your case results in a settlement or verdict, the lawyer’s fee comes from a predetermined percentage of the financial recovery (usually 33% – 40%). If no compensation is awarded, you typically owe nothing for the lawyer’s time or services.
This fee structure ensures that families have access to legal help during some of life’s most difficult moments, without the added worry of legal bills piling up. Our firm offers contingency fees in all personal injury cases. We also offer free consultations, so reach out today to learn more about your legal rights.
What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Washington Wrongful Death Case?
In Washington, wrongful death lawsuits are typically brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This is often a spouse, parent, adult child, or another trusted individual. If no personal representative is named in the decedent’s will, the court can appoint one.
Eligible beneficiaries may include:
- A surviving spouse or registered domestic partner
- Biological or stepchildren
- Parents or siblings, if no spouse, partner, or children survive
Parents who supported a minor child before their death may also have the right to pursue compensation. In some cases, parents of adult children may be eligible, depending on the circumstances.
Compensation in a wrongful death case can cover both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses related to the fatal injury
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of household income, inheritance, and future benefits
- Loss of companionship, love, and care
- Emotional pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members
- Loss of parental guidance for minor children
- Loss of consortium for a surviving spouse or partner
Our Tacoma wrongful death lawyers will work to document the full impact your loved one’s death has had on your family and fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Can You Still Recover Compensation if Your Loved One Was Partially at Fault?
Yes. Washington State follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Even if your loved one shared some responsibility for the accident that led to their death, your family can still recover compensation. However, the total amount awarded will be reduced by your loved one’s percentage of fault.
For example, if your loved one was found to be 30% at fault for the incident, the total compensation awarded to your family would be reduced by 30%.
It’s important to remember that insurance companies and at-fault parties often try to exaggerate a victim’s level of fault to minimize their own liability. We can help you challenge these tactics and ensure your family receives the full amount of compensation you deserve.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Tacoma?
Wrongful death claims can arise from nearly any situation involving negligence, carelessness, or intentional misconduct.
Our legal team has extensive experience handling personal injury and wrongful death cases involving;
- Car accidents (including DUI, speeding, and distracted driving crashes)
- Truck collisions
- Motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents
- Medical malpractice (misdiagnosis, surgical errors, birth injuries)
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
- Construction site and workplace accidents
- Dangerous or defective products
- Unsafe property conditions (such as slip and fall accidents)
- Boating accidents and drownings
- Acts of criminal violence, including assaults or shootings
If your loved one’s death occurred under preventable circumstances, you may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Our Tacoma legal team can review your case, explain your rights, and help you determine the next steps.
How Do You Prove Liability in a Tacoma Wrongful Death Case?
To successfully recover compensation in a Washington wrongful death case, your attorney must prove that another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct caused your loved one’s death.
This generally requires demonstrating four key legal elements:
- Duty of Care: The at-fault party owed your loved one a duty to act reasonably and avoid causing harm.
- Breach of Duty: They violated that duty through negligence, carelessness, or intentional wrongdoing.
- Causation: Their actions directly caused the fatal incident or contributed significantly to your loved one’s death.
- Damages: Your family suffered measurable losses.
We can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your claim, including:
- Police reports and accident scene investigations
- Medical records and expert opinions
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage, photographs, and videos
- Employment, income, and financial records
- Product defect reports or safety violations
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you prove your case.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Washington?
Under Washington law, wrongful death claims are subject to a strict statute of limitations. In most cases, you have three years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Failing to take legal action within this timeframe can eliminate your right to recover compensation in court.
Contact Our Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Consultation
No amount of compensation can truly replace the life of someone you love. But holding the responsible party accountable can bring your family a sense of justice, financial security, and peace of mind for the future.
Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer has decades of experience guiding and supporting families in Tacoma. Our mission is to relieve your legal burdens so you can focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory. We’re ready to put our experience and track record of success behind your case.
Call today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a trusted Tacoma wrongful death attorney. We are ready to stand by your side and get the justice you deserve.