Losing a loved one is devastating. When that loss is caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful act, the pain is compounded by injustice. While no amount of money can replace your loved one, a wrongful death claim can provide financial security for your family and hold the responsible party accountable.

At Schodowski Law, we understand the profound grief you’re experiencing. We handle wrongful death cases with the compassion, sensitivity, and dedication your family deserves.

Compassionate Representation | Free Consultation | Serving Jefferson County Families

We’re Here to Help During This Difficult Time

First and foremost, we want to express our deepest condolences for your loss. Nothing we say or do can bring back your loved one, and we understand that. What we can do is help your family seek justice and recover the financial compensation you need to move forward.

At Schodowski Law, we’ve been serving the Port Townsend community for [X] years. We’re not just attorneys—we’re your neighbors, and we care about the families in our community. When you work with us, you’ll receive:

Compassionate, personalized attention from experienced attorneys
Clear communication throughout the entire process
Aggressive representation against insurance companies and negligent parties
No upfront costs—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation
Respect for your privacy and your family’s grieving process

You don’t have to navigate this alone. We’re here to handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed when someone dies due to another person’s or entity’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongful act. These claims allow surviving family members to recover compensation for their losses.

Under Washington law (RCW 4.20.010), a wrongful death claim can be filed when:

Death was caused by a “wrongful act, neglect, or default”
The victim would have had the right to sue if they had survived
Damages resulted from the death

Wrongful death claims are separate from any criminal proceedings. Even if criminal charges are filed (or not filed), families can still pursue civil claims for compensation.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

Wrongful deaths can occur in many tragic circumstances:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents caused by drunk, distracted, or negligent drivers
Motorcycle accidents
Truck accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Bicycle accidents

Highway 20 and rural Olympic Peninsula roads see numerous fatal accidents each year, many caused by preventable negligence.

Medical Malpractice

Surgical errors
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
Medication errors
Birth injuries
Anesthesia mistakes
Emergency room errors

Workplace Accidents

Construction site accidents
Industrial accidents
Exposure to toxic substances
Defective equipment
Falls from heights
Logging accidents (common in our region)

Premises Liability

Slip and fall accidents with fatal head injuries
Inadequate security leading to assault or murder
Swimming pool drownings
Building code violations
Fire code violations

Defective Products

Dangerous pharmaceutical drugs
Defective medical devices
Dangerous consumer products
Defective vehicles or auto parts

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Inadequate care leading to preventable death
Medication errors
Falls due to inadequate supervision
Bedsores and infections
Malnutrition or dehydration

Criminal Acts

Assault, murder, or manslaughter
DUI-related deaths
Bar fights or assaults at establishments with inadequate security

Other Causes

Drowning
Dog attacks
Boating accidents
Electrocution
Carbon monoxide poisoning

If your loved one died due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you may have a wrongful death claim—even if the circumstances aren’t listed above.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Washington?

Washington law (RCW 4.20.020) specifies who has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit:

Primary Beneficiaries (Priority Filing)

Surviving spouse or domestic partner
Children (including adopted children)
Stepchildren who were dependent on the deceased

Secondary Beneficiaries (If No Primary Beneficiaries)

Parents of the deceased
Siblings of the deceased

The personal representative of the deceased’s estate may also file on behalf of beneficiaries.

Important: Only one wrongful death lawsuit can be filed per death. If multiple family members are eligible, they must work together or designate one person to file on behalf of all beneficiaries.

What Damages Can Be Recovered?

Washington law allows recovery of several types of damages in wrongful death cases:

Economic Damages

Loss of Financial Support

Income the deceased would have earned
Benefits (health insurance, retirement contributions)
Future earning capacity over their expected lifetime

Medical and Funeral Expenses

Medical bills from the injury that caused death
Hospital and emergency care costs
Funeral and burial expenses
Memorial service costs

Loss of Services

Value of household services the deceased provided (childcare, home maintenance, yard work)
Value of advice, guidance, and assistance

Non-Economic Damages

Loss of Companionship

Loss of love, affection, comfort, and society
Loss of guidance and counsel
Loss of protection

Emotional Distress

Pain and suffering of surviving family members
Mental anguish from the loss

Loss of Consortium

For spouses: loss of intimacy and marital relationship

Special Considerations

Children as Victims When a child dies, courts recognize:

Parents’ loss of companionship and society
The unique pain of losing a child
Loss of future relationship

Elderly Victims Even if the deceased was retired, families can recover:

Loss of companionship
Loss of guidance and advice
Value of services provided (childcare, home help)

How Much Is a Wrongful Death Case Worth?

Every wrongful death case is unique, and settlement values vary widely based on factors like:

Age of the deceased (younger victims often result in higher economic damages due to longer earning years)
Income and earning capacity of the deceased
Number and ages of dependents
Circumstances of the death (sudden vs. prolonged suffering)
Degree of negligence (recklessness may result in higher damages)
Strength of the evidence
Available insurance coverage

While we can’t predict exact values, wrongful death settlements and verdicts in Washington typically range from:

Lower range: $250,000 – $500,000 for elderly victims with limited dependents
Mid range: $500,000 – $2,000,000 for working-age adults with families
High range: $2,000,000+ for young professionals, parents with young children, or cases with egregious negligence

During your free consultation, we’ll evaluate your specific case and provide a realistic assessment.

Washington’s Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

You have 3 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Washington. Missing this deadline means losing your right to compensation forever.

Important exceptions:

Government defendants: If a government entity or employee caused the death, you must file a claim within 120 days (much shorter deadline!)
Medical malpractice: Special rules may apply
Discovery rule: The 3-year clock may start when you discovered (or should have discovered) that negligence caused the death

Don’t wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and gathering documentation takes time. Contact us as soon as possible to protect your rights.

The Wrongful Death Claims Process

We understand you’re grieving and the last thing you want to think about is legal proceedings. Here’s what to expect when you work with us:

1. Free Consultation

We’ll meet with you to discuss what happened, answer your questions, and explain your rights. There’s no obligation and no cost.

2. Investigation

We’ll thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your loved one’s death:

Gather police reports, medical records, and other documentation
Interview witnesses
Consult with experts (accident reconstructionists, medical experts, economists)
Collect evidence of damages

3. Demand and Negotiation

We’ll calculate your damages and submit a comprehensive demand to the responsible party’s insurance company. We’ll negotiate aggressively for fair compensation.

4. Filing a Lawsuit (If Necessary)

If the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation, we’ll file a lawsuit. Most cases settle before trial, but we’re fully prepared to take your case to a jury if needed.

5. Settlement or Trial

Whether through settlement negotiations or a jury verdict, we’ll fight for maximum compensation for your family.

Timeline: Wrongful death cases typically take 12-24 months to resolve, sometimes longer for complex cases. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

Why Wrongful Death Cases Matter

Some families ask, “Will filing a lawsuit bring our loved one back?” Of course not. Nothing can do that. But wrongful death claims serve important purposes:

Financial Security Your family may have lost its primary income earner. Medical bills, funeral costs, and ongoing living expenses don’t stop because of your loss. Compensation helps provide for your family’s future.

Accountability Holding negligent parties responsible prevents future tragedies. When companies, drivers, or individuals face consequences for negligence, they’re motivated to prevent similar harm to others.

Justice Your loved one’s life had value. A wrongful death claim recognizes that value and honors their memory by seeking justice.

Closure While the legal process can’t heal your emotional wounds, many families find that seeing justice done provides a sense of closure and allows them to begin moving forward.

Working with Schodowski Law

Compassionate Approach We understand you’re grieving. We’ll handle your case with sensitivity and respect for your family’s privacy and emotional state.

No Upfront Costs You pay nothing unless we recover compensation. We handle all case expenses, and our fee comes only from your settlement or verdict.

Local Knowledge As Port Townsend residents, we know our community. We’re not outsiders—we’re your neighbors, and we care about Jefferson County families.

Experienced Representation We’ve handled numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases. We understand Washington law and how to build strong cases.

Personal Attention You’ll work directly with experienced attorneys, not paralegals. We limit our caseload to ensure every client gets the attention they deserve.

Clear Communication We’ll keep you informed throughout the process and always be available to answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I contact an attorney?

As soon as possible. While we understand you need time to grieve, evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses’ memories fade, physical evidence is cleaned up or repaired, and documents become harder to obtain. Contact us early—we can begin the investigation while giving you space to mourn.

What if a criminal case is pending?

Criminal and civil cases are separate. Even if criminal charges are filed (or if prosecutors decline to file), you can still pursue a civil wrongful death claim. Criminal cases must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” while civil cases use a lower standard (“preponderance of evidence”), making it easier to win compensation.

What if my loved one was partially at fault?

Washington uses comparative negligence. If your loved one was partially at fault, your recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault, but you’re not barred from recovering damages. For example, if your loved one was 20% at fault, you’d recover 80% of total damages.

Will I have to go to court?

Most wrongful death cases settle without trial. However, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court if that’s necessary to get fair compensation.

How long will the case take?

Wrongful death cases typically take 12-24 months, sometimes longer for complex cases. We can’t rush insurance companies or the court system, but we’ll work as efficiently as possible while building the strongest case.

What if there’s no insurance or limited coverage?

We’ll explore all possible sources of compensation:

Defendant’s personal assets
Multiple insurance policies
Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (for vehicle accidents)
Workers’ compensation death benefits
Crime victim compensation (for criminal acts)

Can children receive compensation?

Yes. Children who lost a parent can recover damages for loss of financial support, guidance, and companionship. A guardian may need to be appointed to manage funds for minor children.

What if the deceased didn’t work or was retired?

Non-economic damages (loss of companionship, guidance) are still available. Additionally, the value of household services, childcare, and other contributions can be significant.

Will filing a claim affect my workers’ compensation benefits?

If your loved one died in a work-related accident, you may be entitled to both workers’ compensation death benefits AND a third-party wrongful death claim (if someone other than the employer caused the death). These claims don’t conflict.

What happens if I’m the only family member who wants to file?

In Washington, only one wrongful death lawsuit can be filed per death. If other eligible family members don’t want to participate, they may need to sign waivers. We’ll help navigate this sensitive situation.

How are damages distributed among family members?

Washington courts determine how damages are distributed based on each family member’s relationship with the deceased and their losses. We’ll help ensure fair distribution.

What if I’m not sure negligence caused the death?

That’s what the investigation is for. Many families aren’t certain whether negligence was involved. During your free consultation, we’ll review the circumstances and determine whether you have a valid claim.

Resources for Grieving Families

We understand you’re going through one of the most difficult times of your life. These resources may help:

Local Support:

Jefferson County Department of Human Services: (360) 385-9401
Crisis Support of Jefferson County: (360) 385-0321

National Resources:

The Compassionate Friends (grief support): www.compassionatefriends.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

Books on Grief:

“The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion
“A Grief Observed” by C.S. Lewis
“Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg

Taking care of your emotional health is just as important as pursuing legal justice.

Serving Jefferson County Families

Schodowski Law represents wrongful death clients throughout:

Port Townsend
Port Ludlow
Port Hadlock
Quilcene
Chimacum
Brinnon
All of Jefferson County
Olympic Peninsula

We’re part of this community, and we’re committed to helping our neighbors seek justice during their darkest hours.

Contact Us Today

If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, we’re here to help. The consultation is free, confidential, and without obligation. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand your options

“The death of a loved one is the most devastating experience life has to offer. We can’t take away your pain, but we can help you find justice and financial security for your family’s future.”

— Schodowski Law