Can I sue for wrongful death in a school bus accident case?

Yes, you can sue for wrongful death in a school bus accident case in the state of Washington. Generally, wrongful death claims are brought when a person is killed due to the negligence or misconduct of another person. In Washington, wrongful death claims are governed by the Wrongful Death Act. According to the Act, the claim must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. To pursue a wrongful death claim following a school bus accident in Washington, you must show the following elements: 1) the death of a person; 2) caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another; 3) caused by the breach of a duty owed to the deceased; 4) resulting in damages. Damages that may be recovered in a wrongful death case include: economic losses suffered by the deceased person’s estate (including medical expenses and funeral and burial expenses); as well as noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses. Additionally, if it is proven that the school bus driver or school district was grossly negligent or engaged in willful or wanton misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded in addition to compensatory damages. It is important to note that wrongful death claims must be brought within a certain time frame—usually three years. Therefore, it is important to seek counsel from an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible following a school bus accident.

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