Practice Areas
Wrongful Death
The personal injury attorneys at Brett & Coats represent families who seek prompt, fair and just compensation for the wrongful death of family members caused by the negligence of others. We are proud to represent those who have lost loved ones and fight passionately to hold those who caused harm accountable for their actions. Although we remain sensitive to our client's emotional needs during this difficult time, our priority is taking care of their future financial requirements. Brett & Coats works to help fulfill the justice system's goal of alleviating financial stress for surviving relatives of those who have died due to the negligence of others.
We practice throughout Washington state and can meet with clients in:
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Bellingham and British Columbia,
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Mount Vernon, Anacortes, and Friday Harbor,
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Seattle, Tacoma, and Eastern Washington.
When an individual dies as the result of the negligence of another, certain survivors may make a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. Close relatives may recover monetary damages for the loss of financial support, as well as for medical, funeral and burial expenses, lost earnings, and in some cases for pain and suffering and loss of the love and affection of the deceased.
The personal injury attorneys at Brett & Coats have been helping families who have lost loved ones win substantial settlements and awards throughout Washington state for more than 33 years. To review the experience of Brett & Coats PLLC in wrongful death cases, please see:
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$2.3 million verdict for loss of love and affection of elderly parents.
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$650,000 settlement for wrongful death from defective highway design.
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$733,785 for the wrongful death of a 16 year old boy killed while riding his 750cc Yamaha motorcycle.
Our goal is to help clients receive prompt, fair and just compensation for these tragic losses.
WHAT IS A WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
In legal terms, a wrongful death refers to a fatality that occurs because of the negligence or misconduct of another person, corporation or entity. A wrongful death is a type of personal injury. Personal injury law holds one person accountable for causing damages to another person. Wrongful death cases arise from a variety of circumstances including vehicle crashes, defective products, job-related mishaps, and construction site accidents. Whatever the cause of a wrongful death, the impact on the survivors is devastating. There is a void that is felt by everyone who must continue on without the companionship and support of their loved one.
A wrongful death claim against a negligent party is generally initiated by or on behalf of the spouse, children or family of the decedent or made by the deceased's estate. Negligence must be established, and Brett & Coats lawyers are skilled at helping clients prove the four critical components of negligence:
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The defendant had a duty to the deceased,
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The defendant breached that duty,
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The fatality was caused by the defendant's breach of duty, and
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The survivors have suffered damages as a result of the loss.
In addition to establishing negligence, the future life expectancy of the deceased must be presented to establish the loss of future earnings. The relationship of the survivors and the deceased must also be communicated. Effective presentation of the non-economic or emotional loss is critical to a fair damage award.
WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU
Do not wait until it is too late to seek legal advice. Brett & Coats lawyers have represented many families who have suffered the devastating loss caused by a wrongful death. (Please see our case results.) If you have lost a loved one due to another's misconduct or carelessness, contact our offices today. While your grief may be overwhelming and you may not be thinking in terms of economics, our attorneys can help to fight for your loved one's rights and prepare you for a life beyond your current grief. We can also protect your rights with insurance companies whose first consideration is to decrease their liability in wrongful death claims. We offer a free initial evaluation of your claim. You may be entitled to compensation. Our lawyers will negotiate a prompt, fair and just settlement or fight aggressively to ensure that survivors receive full maximum compensation in accordance with the law.
At Brett & Coats, our attorneys give proactive attention to the needs of each family. We help by coordinating medical payments, organizing documentation and supporting each family through the sometimes difficult claims process. Since insurance companies know our firm's determination to litigate cases when a settlement offer is inadequate, we are usually able to resolve wrongful death claims through negotiation. Call the attorneys at Brett & Coats PLLC today at 360-714-0900, 1-800-925-1875, or contact us via our online form.
