How is causation proven in a wrongful death claim?

In the state of Washington, causation must be proven in order to have a successful wrongful death claim. The plaintiff, who is the person bringing the claim, must demonstrate that the death of the deceased was caused, either in whole or in part, by the actions of the accused. The plaintiff must show that the actions taken by the accused, either intentional or unintentional, resulted in the death of the deceased. This can be done through evidence such as witness statements, medical reports, expert testimonies, or other evidence that can help to prove a causal connection. It is important to note that the plaintiff does not need to prove that the accused was responsible for the entirety of the deceased’s death; rather, they must show that the accused’s actions played a role in the fatality. For example, if a drunk driver caused an accident that resulted in the death of the deceased, the plaintiff would only need to prove that the driver was accountable for a portion of the death, rather than the entire cause. The court may also consider comparative negligence to determine the exact amount of responsibility that an accused party must accept for the death of the deceased. This entails the courts assessing the roles of all parties involved and determining their respective levels of liability in the incident. In any case, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the actions of the accused, combined with any other factors, played a role in the fatality in order to establish a successful wrongful death claim.

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