Vancouver Wrongful Death Lawyers
Experienced Washington counsel for families seeking justice and accountability
Immediate Steps for Families in Vancouver
Protect your rights while we handle the legal burden
Preserve Evidence
Secure photos, videos, vehicle data, and any available camera footage (storefronts, traffic, C-TRAN). Evidence can be overwritten or lost within days.
Obtain Records
Request police/agency reports and medical/ME documentation. Vancouver PD, Clark County Sheriff, and Washington State Patrol may all have records for a single incident.
Avoid Recorded Statements
Insurance companies move quickly to limit claims. Do not provide recorded statements to adverse insurers—refer them to your attorney.
Appoint a Personal Representative
Open an estate and have a Personal Representative (PR) appointed through Clark County Superior Court. The PR brings wrongful death and survival actions.
Calendar Deadlines
Track the general 3-year limitation period and any required government tort claim notices plus the 60-day waiting period.
Washington Wrongful Death and Survival Actions: What Families Should Know
Who can bring claims, who may recover, and what damages are available
Washington recognizes two related civil claims after a preventable death: the wrongful death claim (RCW 4.20.010 et seq.) and the survival action (RCW 4.20.046). Together they address both the family's losses and claims that belonged to your loved one. These actions are typically brought by a Personal Representative (PR) of the estate.
- Beneficiaries: Priority often includes a spouse or state-registered domestic partner and children/stepchildren. If none, parents and siblings may be eligible depending on circumstances (RCW 4.20.020).
- Damages: Economic losses (income, benefits, services), funeral and burial costs, and non-economic losses including loss of love and companionship. The survival action may include your loved one’s conscious pain and suffering and medical expenses.
- Punitive damages: Generally not available in Washington unless specifically authorized by statute.
We guide families through every step—from appointing the PR to prosecuting the civil case—while coordinating with any ongoing criminal proceedings, which do not determine your civil recovery.
Local Investigation in Clark County
Coordinating multi-agency records and hospital/ME documentation
Agencies and Evidence Sources
Serious incidents in Vancouver often involve multiple agencies and evidence repositories:
- • Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and Clark County Sheriff
- • Washington State Patrol (WSP) for state routes/interstates
- • CRESA 911 dispatch logs, calls, and CAD data
- • Video from storefronts, traffic cameras, and C‑TRAN buses/platforms
Rapid preservation letters and targeted requests are critical to prevent overwrites and loss.
Medical and Medical Examiner
We coordinate with PeaceHealth Southwest (Level II Trauma Center) and Legacy Salmon Creek to obtain comprehensive medical records that document mechanism of injury, interventions, and timelines.
The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office provides essential findings on cause of death and, when applicable, evidence of conscious pain and suffering that may support survival claims.
We synthesize these sources into a clear, compelling evidentiary record for your civil case.
Insurance Company Tactics and Washington Claims Dynamics
Protecting the full value of your family’s claim
Washington’s several liability rules focus each at-fault party on their specific share of damages. Insurers often try to exploit multi-party scenarios to minimize responsibility. We counter with a rigorous liability allocation and aggressive pursuit of all available coverage, including UM/UIM if applicable.
When specialized care across the river is necessary, we build medical necessity records with your Vancouver-based physicians and appeal improper denials of cross-river care authorization to protect both recovery and documentation strength.
We also help families avoid settlement structures that could inadvertently conflict with benefits or estate planning goals—ensuring the recovery supports long-term stability.
Proven Experience
Trusted Representation for Clark County Families
A focused, evidence-driven approach to wrongful death and survival claims
Vancouver Wrongful Death FAQs
Quick answers to common Washington questions
Who brings a wrongful death claim in Washington?
Typically, a Personal Representative (PR) is appointed through the county’s Superior Court to bring wrongful death and survival actions on behalf of beneficiaries and the estate.
How long do we have to file?
Generally three years from the date of death for Washington wrongful death and survival actions. Claims involving government entities require a pre-suit tort claim notice and a 60-day waiting period, which can affect timing.
What is the difference between wrongful death and a survival action?
Wrongful death focuses on the family’s losses (companionship, support, services), while survival preserves claims that belonged to your loved one (e.g., conscious pain and suffering, medical expenses) and becomes part of the estate.
Do we need to open probate?
Yes, a Personal Representative is typically needed to bring the civil actions. We guide families through opening the estate and PR appointment in Clark County Superior Court.
What if there is a criminal case?
Criminal and civil cases are independent. A criminal case does not determine your civil recovery. We coordinate with prosecutors when appropriate while pursuing the civil claim.
Are punitive damages available in Washington?
Generally no, unless a statute specifically allows them. We focus on proving full economic and non-economic damages under Washington law.
Get Your Free Vancouver Wrongful Death Case Evaluation
We’ll protect your rights, coordinate the legal process, and build a powerful, evidence-based case.
Available 24/7 • No Fee Unless We Win
Over $50 Million Recovered for Oregon Injury Victims