…until
my own son died, I had no idea…
I had been practicing law for 32 years,
specializing in personal injury and
wrongful death claims. I had often told
clients and jurors “There is nothing as
devastating as the loss of a child.” But
until my own son died, I had no idea. Life
stopped. I could not go on. Life lost its
meaning. I could not answer the simple
question: why?
As I returned to work, the answer to “why”
came in the form of a renewed dedication
to understanding with compassion the
effect of a death on those
I represent in this most difficult
process. My answer has become helping
others find their answer.
I know. I’ve
been there.
> Dean Brett |
Wrongful Death
The personal injury
lawyers 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:
Bellingham
or Vancouver, British Columbia,
Mount
Vernon, Anacortes, or Friday Harbor,
Seattle,
Tacoma, or 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 lawyers at Brett & Coats have
been helping families who have lost loved ones
win substantial settlements and awards
throughout Washington state for over 33 years.
To review the experience of Brett & Coats
PLLC in
wrongful death cases, please see:
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:
-
The defendant
had a duty to the deceased,
-
The defendant
breached that duty,
-
The fatality
was caused by the defendant's breach of
duty, and
-
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 attorneys 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 attorneys 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.
Click
here for frequently asked questions about
Wrongful Death.
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