Can the surviving spouse file a wrongful death lawsuit?

Yes, the surviving spouse of a deceased person is allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit in the state of Washington. This type of lawsuit is allowed in order to seek compensation for the loss of financial support, companionship, and guidance. In Washington, the legal definition of a wrongful death is “the death of a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another”. This definition covers a wide range of preventable acts, such as vehicular or medical malpractice or exposure to dangerous chemicals. In the state of Washington, the surviving spouse can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the decedent’s estate. The parties who can file this type of lawsuit are limited to the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased person. Other surviving family members are also eligible to receive financial damages from the wrongful death lawsuit. In a wrongful death lawsuit, damages can include medical costs incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional loss, property damage, and even punitive damages if warranted. The amount of money rewarded in a wrongful death lawsuit will vary from case to case. Wrongful death lawsuits are a way to hold those responsible for the death of a loved one accountable and ensure that they are held liable for their actions. Though they are not easy to file, they can bring closure to surviving family members who have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another.

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Can the surviving spouse file a wrongful death lawsuit?

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