Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyer Who Goes the Extra Mile
According to Statista, in 2018, the third-leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 6 percent of all deaths, was unintentional injuries or accidents. Approximately 167,127 people died from unintentional injuries during this year, with hundreds of thousands more suffering serious, sometimes permanent injury. These are the kinds. An unintentional injury can turn into a personal injury if the cause of the injury was negligence on the part of an individual or an entity. A personal injury can turn into a wrongful death when the patient dies. Having an experienced Tacoma wrongful death lawyer like Blake Kremer by your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of a wrongful death claim.
Attorney Blake Kremer has been helping those who are facing a personal injury or wrongful death claim for three decades. Blake is a highly knowledgeable third-generation attorney whose law firm history shows a pattern of service to his community. Blake represents those many other law firms have passed on, going on to win, often against immense odds.
Even if your wrongful death claim involves a question of liability, attorney Blake Kremer wants to talk to you about the facts and circumstances. Blake secured a $2,000,000 wrongful death settlement for a grieving family that occurred as a result of drowning. He will always go the extra mile for his clients because he truly cares about their cases, their rights, and their future.
Because attorney Blake Kremer cares so deeply about social justice, he often does pro bono work, including victim advocacy, hospice work, and work for a pediatric HIV/AIDS support organization. Blake counts himself lucky to handle some truly remarkable cases that reflect his commitment to social justice.
Learn More About Our Social Justice Work & Advocacy
What is a Wrongful Death?
When an individual dies due to the misconduct or negligence of another person or entity, the family members or survivors may sue for wrongful death. When a person is injured due to the negligence of another, a personal injury claim may be filed. When that injured person dies as a result of his or her injuries, the personal injury claim can turn into a wrongful death claim. To file a wrongful death claim, the death must be the result of negligence, or intent to cause harm.
There must be monetary injuries, related to the death for a wrongful death claim to be filed. Speaking to a knowledgeable Tacoma wrongful death lawyer is important because there is a specific window of time in which to file the claim. This window of time—known as the statute of limitations—varies from state to state. In the state of Washington, the person or persons filing the wrongful death claim have three years from the date of the death.
Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death?
Each state determines who can sue for wrongful death. In the state of Washington, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. This person is usually the same person who has been named the executor of the will—often a relative, or someone close to the person. In addition to the personal executive of the decedent’s estate, “real parties of interest” (those who are directly affected by the death) may join the wrongful death claim, seeking damages.
Real parties of interest can include the spouse of the decedent, the children or stepchildren of the decedent, the parents of the decedent ONLY if the decedent has no spouse or children, or the siblings of the decedent ONLY if the decedent has no spouse, children, or parents. Parents who contributed to a child’s support can file a wrongful death claim when a child under the age of 18 dies.
What is the Process for a Tacoma, WA Wrongful Death Claim?
Once the personal representative for the decedent has filed a Tacoma wrongful death claim (usually through his or her lawyer), the defendant’s insurance company has a specific amount of time to answer the claim. If the Tacoma wrongful death claim is fairly straightforward, it could take from one to three months to settle. A more complex claim could take much longer, particularly if an investigation or claim review is necessary. Some people believe that if the decedent did not have a large “estate,” there cannot be a wrongful death claim.
A wrongful death claim, however, looks at more than assets, it looks at tangible issues like the decedent’s potential earnings for the remainder of his or her life, as well as intangible issues like the loss of guidance and companionship. While a wrongful death claim will not bring back a loved one, providing loved ones with monetary compensation is the closest thing to “fair,” our justice system has come up with.
The Law Office of Blake Kremer recently took a case involving disputed liability. Blake Kremer’s client, an immigrant, had recently drowned. After working with experts to assess damages, Blake attempted to mediate a resolution with the other side, who offered only $100,000. We assumed they considered this “nuisance value,” the cost of defending a claim they believed they would win. After the suit was filed and depositions were taken, we resolved the claim for a judgment of $2,000,000.00.
Learn More About How to Prove Wrongful Death
What Can You Expect from a Tacoma Wrongful Death Settlement?
Damages is the legal term for money awarded by the court to the estate of the decedent for the harm and losses caused by another’s negligence. Both economic damages and non-economic damages are possible in a wrongful death claim. The actual damages in a wrongful death settlement will depend on the circumstances and facts surrounding the death. The damages will also depend on the ability to hold someone legally and financially accountable.
The negligent party’s insurance company is generally responsible for the settlement. A range of losses could be awarded to the decedent’s survivors, including the following:
- The last medical bills of the decedent
- Funeral expenses
- Burial expenses
- Lost financial support the decedent would have contributed to his or her family
- The value of lost household services the decedent would have provided to family members
- The loss by family members of the decedent’s love, affection, care, companionship, and training
- The pain, suffering, fear, and terror experienced by the decedent at the end of their lives.
How Can Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyer Blake Kremer Help?
If you have suffered the death of a loved one stemming from the negligence of another person or entity, you need an experienced Tacoma wrongful death lawyer like Blake Kremer who can help you through this difficult time. While many law firms avoid litigation in personal injury and wrongful death claims, preferring to rely only on negotiation, attorney Blake Kremer sees litigation as a tool to help achieve justice for his clients since many insurance companies will not make a serious offer until a lawsuit is filed.
Attorney Blake Kremer believes in you—and in every single client. He believes you have the right to be heard and to be treated with respect. Blake is dedicated to always putting the needs of his clients first. Blake can handle cases from King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston Counties, including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Olympia, Puget Sound, South Sound, and all of Western Washington, as well as virtually. No matter the challenge, let attorney Blake Kremer fight for you. Call (253) 830-5844 today to speak with Attorney Blake Kremer, or (253) 368-4382 to speak with Kate, Blake’s paralegal.
