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Wrongful Death

Seeking Justice and Relief for Your Loss

Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyers

Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyers Help Grieving Families Recover

The sudden loss of a loved one due to preventable circumstances is a tragedy no family should endure. In Tacoma, wrongful death claims arise from various incidents, leaving surviving families grappling with emotional wounds and financial burdens.

Share your loved one’s story with us, and we’ll guide you through the potential steps of a wrongful death lawsuit and what you might expect. If we can assist you, we are committed to delivering prompt and meaningful results. Our initial consultations are free, and we operate on a contingency fee basis—meaning no fees unless you win.

 

Understanding Wrongful Death in Washington: What is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death happens when a person loses their life due to the negligence or intentional actions of another party. These cases often arise from various situations, including car accidents, medical malpractice, and other personal injury incidents such as the ones listed below.

  • Workplace accidents: Unsafe working conditions, negligence by employers, or defective equipment can cause worker fatalities.
  • Nursing home abuse: Neglect, mistreatment, or inadequate care in nursing homes can result in the wrongful death of residents.
  • Defective products: Faulty design, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings on products can lead to consumer deaths.

 

Washington State Laws on Wrongful Death

In Washington state, specific laws govern wrongful death cases. Understanding these laws is crucial for pursuing a claim:

Statute of Limitations: You have a limited time to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Acting promptly is essential to ensure your case is within the legal timeframe.

Who Can File: Not everyone affected by the loss of a loved one is eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Washington law limits beneficiaries to:

  • Surviving spouse
  • Surviving registered domestic partner
  • Child or children, including stepchildren

If no individuals fit that description, an action may go forward benefiting relatives who were financially dependent on the deceased and who were residents of the United States at the time of death, including:

  • Parents
  • Siblings

 

What Damages Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Case?

Washington state law allows families to recover various damages in wrongful death cases, including:

  • Medical expenses: Costs associated with your loved one’s final illness or injury.
  • Funeral costs: Expenses related to burial or cremation.
  • Lost income and earning capacity: The future income your loved one would have earned.
  • Pain and suffering: The emotional distress experienced by surviving family members.
  • Other Non-economic Damages: Addressing intangible losses such as emotional distress, loss of companionship, loss of consortium, and the impact on the quality of life.

 

Skilled Trial Lawyers Will Fight For Maximum Compensation Every Step of the Way

At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, we understand the pain and challenges you face in the aftermath of a wrongful death. Our legal team is committed to providing unwavering support and legal resources on your behalf.

The role of a wrongful death lawyer involves intricate legal processes, dealing with insurance companies, and understanding the emotional toll on the surviving family. A dedicated Tacoma wrongful death lawyer can:

  • Provide Legal Advice: Offering guidance on your rights, the legal process, and potential outcomes.
  • Handle Insurance Companies: Managing communications with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation.
  • Calculate Damages & Seek Fair Compensation: Assessing various factors, including medical bills, funeral expenses, and emotional distress, to determine compensation.
  • Fight for You: Our experience with Tacoma wrongful death claims usually means more compensation and less work for clients when you need it most. You have enough on your shoulders with planning a funeral, being with family, and trying to process your grief — we will make every effort to maximize compensation for you and our expert trial lawyers won’t hesitate to fight for you in court.

 

Moving Forward: Free Consultation

We understand the importance of getting answers and seeking justice. That’s why we offer a free consultation to discuss your case, provide insights, and chart a path forward.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, let our Tacoma wrongful death attorney guide you through the legal process. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation, call us at 253-242-2284 or contact our office online.

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At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC we have the skill and experience to take on a wide range of personal injury cases throughout Washington state. From motor vehicle accidents to workplace injuries – our reputation and success rates keep opposing counsel on edge.

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Results
Our Results

The Proof

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Winning is when clients get the closure and compensation they deserve. We haven’t settled for less in the last sixty plus years. And we won’t for the next sixty.

$920,000
Client was involved in a truck accident that caused his wrongful death. He was crushed when the truck hit him from behind as he was unloading items from his vehicle.
$700,000
Client was a victim of medical malpractice for the failure to timely diagnose lung cancer. He ultimately experienced a wrongful death because it was too late to treat his cancer.
$625,000
Client was the victim of medical malpractice and suffered a wrongful death resulting from a failure to diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm in the emergency room.
$320,000
Client was the victim of medical malpractice that resulted from the failure to timely diagnose her cancer. She suffered a wrongful death as a consequence of the delay in initiating needed treatment.
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

We have answers to some of the most common Washington personal injury questions. These are resources for injury victims.

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Do I need a lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit?

It is not necessary to retain a lawyer to file your personal injury lawsuit. You should base your decision to involve an attorney on a reasonable assessment of the pros and cons. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC is a highly reputable personal injury law firm that has served Washington since 1959. We deliver value to our clients that far outweighs the fees we collect. But before you retain any attorney, you have to be satisfied that the benefits exceed the costs. We offer these points for your consideration.

 

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What is the statute of limitations in Washington for personal injury?

A statute of limitations is state law; throughout the country, different states set different time limits for identical causes of action. Within each state, different causes of action have different time limits. In Washington, for personal injury lawsuits, the statute of limitations is three years.

 

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How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?

The great advantage of filing a personal injury lawsuit is that most attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. That means that rather than charging upfront legal fees or an hourly rate, the attorney works without compensation until the case resolves through a jury verdict or settlement. At that time, the attorney takes a percentage of the award. The contingency fee arrangement helps plaintiffs who could not otherwise afford the costs of civil litigation to pursue just compensation without worrying about expenses. It also means that your ability to retain an excellent lawyer does not depend on your ability to pay, but rather on the attorney’s assessment of the strength of your case, or the importance of delivering justice to someone in your particular circumstances.

 

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How do I file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington state?

At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, we want our clients to have an accurate picture of what a personal injury lawsuit entails. The process is rarely quick and easy; defense counsel and insurance companies often employ delay tactics to wear a plaintiff down. We offer this page as a primer for anyone who has a cause of action and is considering a personal injury lawsuit.

 

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3,000+
Success Stories

The change you want to see happens when your story goes beyond the courtroom and makes an impact after the case is closed.

  • Our experience with Dan Kyler and Vern Harkins was excellent from the beginning and we were very satisfied with the end results.
  • Dan Kyler and Mike Fisher were professional and dedicated throughout the entire process. I would recommend this law firm to anyone.
  • Vern Harkins perseverance and hard work made it possible to get the maximum settlement from the insurance company. I know he had my interest in mind as demonstrated by his actions.
  • Dan Hannula’s hard work helped to settle my auto accident case.
  • Michael was outstanding. He was always professional, prepared, available for questions, and on top of my case. I highly recommend him and will always consider him to be my first choice for legal matters I need resolved.
  • Mr. Fisher has helped me in the past and is very trustworthy and sincere. I would recommend Michael and of course anyone else at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler.
  • My father was sick and dying, I needed assistance and I need it fast. With a single call to Mr. Fisher’s office, I was warmly welcomed, swiftly assisted and free of the concerns... I am forever grateful to Mr. Fisher for his exquisite services in my time of need.
  • The office staff were courteous, pleasant and kept me informed as to what was going on throughout the whole ordeal.
  • I am extremely satisfied with the service I experienced with this firm and I would recommend them to anyone that needs legal representation. Michael Fisher and his staff are great people.
  • John Wilson demonstrated his professionalism by keeping us current on our case, explaining our options, giving us realistic expectations and demonstrating the highest level of ethics and integrity beyond reproach. We have the highest confidence that we were well represented.
  • I have been a client of Dan Kyler’s since 1996. Having had numerous car accidents, I rely upon the Tacoma auto accident attorneys at RHHK to help me through them. The most obscure questions have been answered and help is given on all levels.
  • Mr. Fisher has helped me in the past and is very trustworthy and sincere. I would recommend Michael and of course anyone else at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler.
  • Our experience with Dan Kyler and Vern Harkins was excellent from the beginning and we were very satisfied with the end results.
  • The office staff were courteous, pleasant and kept me informed as to what was going on throughout the whole ordeal.
  • Having a motorcycle accident was bad enough, let alone dealing with insurance companies. John Wilson and his staff made everything easy to understand and hassle free.
  • John Wilson demonstrated his professionalism by keeping us current on our case, explaining our options, giving us realistic expectations and demonstrating the highest level of ethics and integrity beyond reproach. We have the highest confidence that we were well represented.
  • Michael was outstanding. He was always professional, prepared, available for questions, and on top of my case. I highly recommend him and will always consider him to be my first choice for legal matters I need resolved.
  • Mr. Fisher is an outstanding lawyer. He’s knowledgeable, responsive, and kept me informed at all times. I would definitely recommend him to anyone in need of a good attorney.
  • My father was sick and dying, I needed assistance and I need it fast. With a single call to Mr. Fisher’s office, I was warmly welcomed, swiftly assisted and free of the concerns... I am forever grateful to Mr. Fisher for his exquisite services in my time of need.
  • Mike Fisher is an example of a quality attorney who sets high standards in servicing his clients in the highest regard as an attorney and he is part of a great firm.
  • Vern Harkins perseverance and hard work made it possible to get the maximum settlement from the insurance company. I know he had my interest in mind as demonstrated by his actions.
  • I am extremely satisfied with the service I experienced with this firm and I would recommend them to anyone that needs legal representation. Michael Fisher and his staff are great people.
  • Having a motorcycle accident was bad enough, let alone dealing with insurance companies. John Wilson and his staff made everything easy to understand and hassle free.
  • Dan Hannula’s hard work helped to settle my auto accident case.
  • John Wilson demonstrated his professionalism by keeping us current on our case, explaining our options, giving us realistic expectations and demonstrating the highest level of ethics and integrity beyond reproach. We have the highest confidence that we were well represented.
  • I have been a client of Dan Kyler’s since 1996. Having had numerous car accidents, I rely upon the Tacoma auto accident attorneys at RHHK to help me through them. The most obscure questions have been answered and help is given on all levels.
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