Top 7 Causes of Wrongful Death
In Washington State, a case qualifies under the “wrongful death” statute when “the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another.” Wrongful death may occur as a result of many situations including medical malpractice, when a person dies under the care of another, car accidents or criminal acts.
If a person is killed because of the wrongful conduct of a person or persons, the decedent’s heirs and other beneficiaries may file a civil lawsuit – specifically a wrongful death action – against those responsible for the decedent’s death. A wrongful death lawsuit must be proven by a “preponderance of the evidence”, which is easier to demonstrate than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard necessary for conviction in a criminal case.
Read More