Medical Malpractice Resulting in Wrongful Death
People rely on medical professionals to treat illnesses and injuries, respond to medical emergencies, and provide care that promotes overall health and well-being. Although medical professionals cannot be held to perfection, they are expected to deliver the accepted standard of care, or that which would be provided by similarly trained and experienced medical providers.
If a medical professional fails to meet this standard, and a death occurs, a lawsuit can be filed. Wrongful death lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC, in Bellevue, WA, assist surviving loved ones in taking legal action in cases of medical malpractice involving wrongful death. We work on behalf of our clients to fight for maximum compensation for wrongful death damages.
Establishing Medical Malpractice in Wrongful Death Cases
When someone dies and surviving loved ones suspect medical malpractice, they should contact a knowledgeable attorney who has experience in this area of the law. Hospitals, doctors, and other medical professionals are often quick to deny liability for a wrongful death, and they often have large legal teams on their side ready to defend their case. By working with legal professionals who are looking out for their best interest, wrongful death victims strengthen their case and increase their chance of collecting the financial compensation they are due for wrongful death losses.
The lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC work alongside experts in the field to gather the evidence that is necessary to establish medical malpractice in wrongful death cases. Through the presentation of evidence, our Bellevue lawyers must demonstrate the following hallmarks of a medical malpractice lawsuit:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed between the deceased and the defendant
- The doctor was negligent in their care (i.e. they failed to deliver the accepted standard of care)
- The doctor’s negligence caused the death of the deceased
- The death resulted in damages for the deceased and/or surviving loved ones
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims are unique in that the primary victim is deceased and is unable to take legal action on their own. Instead, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by surviving beneficiaries. These individuals are able to pursue compensation for the damages suffered by the deceased, as well as for the damages/losses that they have sustained as a result of the wrongful death.
Each state has its own unique laws regarding who can file a wrongful death claim. In Washington, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by:
- The surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Surviving children
- Parents and/or siblings of the deceased (if there is no surviving spouse or children)
Wrongful Death Damages
When a wrongful death occurs there are both economic and non-economic damages to consider. Some of these damages are suffered by the deceased (prior to their death), while others are suffered by the deceased’s descendants. Our lawyers work on our Bellevue client’s behalf to collect compensation for the full extent of wrongful death damages, which may include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering of the deceased
- Lost source of income and/or benefits
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of consortium (or loss of companionship)
Contact Quick Law Group, PLLC
If you have lost a loved one as the result of medical malpractice, the wrongful death lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC can help you pursue financial compensation for damages. To discuss your situation in further detail, send us a message online, or call (425) 576-8150 to schedule a consultation with our lawyers.
