Wrongful Death

Wrongful Death Attorney in Bellevue

Personal Injury Advocacy Since 1985 for Bellevue Families Facing Loss

When a family member’s death may have resulted from another party’s negligence or wrongful act, the path forward can feel impossible to navigate alone. At Lindquist & Kornfeld, attorney Robert Kornfeld has guided families through serious injury and wrongful-death matters since 1985.

Our approach is personal: we treat clients like family. Robert Kornfeld’s firsthand experience with serious injuries informs how we respond to the physical, emotional, and financial toll a devastating loss can take. Bellevue families working through a potential wrongful-death claim can reach us for a complimentary consultation. When travel is difficult, we can come to you at home, at a hospital, or another convenient location.

Contact our Bellevue wrongful death team at (425) 657-5255 today.

Understanding Wrongful Death Cases in Bellevue

A wrongful death occurs when a person’s death is caused by the negligence, misconduct, or wrongful act of another party. Under Washington RCW 4.20.010, a wrongful-death claim is brought as a civil action through the decedent’s personal representative, the individual authorized to act on behalf of the estate. Eligible beneficiaries under RCW 4.20.020 can include a surviving spouse or registered domestic partner, children, stepchildren, and in some circumstances parents or siblings. A wrongful-death lawsuit is separate from any criminal proceeding and focuses on compensating surviving family members for economic and noneconomic losses connected to the death.

Common Challenges in Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful death cases involve several distinct challenges families should understand:

Evidentiary Requirements: Proving liability requires thorough investigation and evidence gathering, which can include accident reports, eyewitness testimony, medical records, photographs, and expert analysis. Responsibility may involve multiple parties, including individuals, companies, property owners, medical providers, or employers depending on the circumstances.
Emotional and Financial Strain: Grief, urgent financial concerns, and early communications from insurance companies can make it difficult to evaluate a claim without legal assistance. We handle insurer communications and other legal demands while you grieve and care for your family.
Statutory Deadlines: Washington law generally provides a three-year limitations period under RCW 4.16.080 for wrongful-death claims, but the applicable deadline depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. We verify the correct deadline for your situation early in the process to protect your ability to pursue the claim.

How We Build & Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim

From the initial review of your circumstances through resolution, we coordinate each part of the claim so your family doesn’t have to manage it alone. Our work draws on more than three decades of personal injury experience, from preserving evidence to preparing for settlement or trial.

Evidence and Records Gathering: We collect and preserve relevant documentation, including medical records, police and incident reports, employment information, witness accounts, and any other materials needed to build a clear picture of what happened and who may be responsible.
Liability Analysis: We identify potentially responsible parties and evaluate the strength of the liability evidence, whether the case involves a single individual or multiple defendants.
Insurance Communications: We handle communications with insurance companies and defense representatives, so your family isn’t pressured into statements or early resolutions that may not reflect your full losses.
Damages Evaluation: We assess the financial and personal impact of the loss, including lost income and support, medical expenses connected to the final injury, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of companionship and guidance.
Settlement and Trial Preparation: We pursue settlement negotiations and, when the case warrants it, prepare for court representation in King County Superior Court. The right path depends on the liability evidence, the damages at stake, and the parties involved.
Personalized Access: We treat clients like family. When meeting at our office isn’t practical, we can arrange consultations at your home, a hospital, or another location that works for you.

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Our Proven Results

Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.

$425,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Early v. Hess, et. al. (King Co. Superior Court): Motor vehicle crash – Plaintiff recovered compensation in a settlement for $425,000 for a knee surgery and permanent injury, along with compensation for the risk of a future knee replacement.

Car Accident
$300,000 Brain Injury
An ex Army veteran recovered $300,000 after suffering a mild traumatic brain injury in a car accident. There was no objective signs of injury but neuropsychological testing was abnormal.

Brain Injury
$125,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Plaintiff suffered soft tissue, PTSD and left shoulder injuries. Plaintiff underwent left shoulder surgery and has been left with ongoing left shoulder instability and PTSD.

Car Accident
$225,000 Age Discrimination
Age Discrimination and Wrongful Termination: 62 Year old woman employed by insurance company for over 25 years years is replaced by younger and less skilled worker because of her age and her inability to be treated equally as younger workers. Our client claimed she was constructively discharged and was forced to quit. Settlement short of trial was for $225,000.

Employment Law
$1,050,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Ankle Fracture Injury: $1,050,000 litigated settlement short of trial of an ankle fracture and surgery of female driver with permanent injuries after a roll over collision.

Car Accident
$235,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
A client who had pre-existing anxiety was in two car crashes in 2015 and 2018 and suffered a concussion and spinal injuries in the first with increase in his PTSD and anxiety. He was improving and then was in a second MVA and suffered an aggravation and worsening of the PTSD and anxiety from the first MVA and has not returned to baseline. We were successful in recovering $235,000 for him from both drivers’ insurance and his own underinsured motorist insurance.

Car Accident
$350,000 Premise Liability
Jane Doe vs Grocery Store, et al: A mother was shopping with her daughter, son in law, and granddaughter. She reached down to select a spice bottle and the shelf system collapsed on her head and neck, causing neck and upper back injuries. The client suffered cervical injuries and underwent a double level cervical fusion with hardware and bone graft from her hip. The supplier, grocery store and manufacturer of the spice product each contributed to the settlement.

Brain Injury
$335,000 Construction Accident
Staub v. CIG Corporation, (King County Superior Court) The injured worker fell in excess of ten feet to a concrete floor below because he was not given fall protection.

Construction Accident
Confidential Settlement Medical Malpractice
John Doe v. John & Jane Doe, M.D.: John Doe’s below the knee amputation resulted from the failure of the health care provider to properly care for and treat a diabetic foot ulcer, which led to total contact casting. The health care provider negligently asked the patient to return in 2 weeks rather than 3-5 days to check the cast and the foot. The delay caused a loss of blood flow and circulation to his foot. Gangrene set in, making amputation necessary.

Medical Malpractice

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action brought against a party whose negligence, neglect, or wrongful act caused someone’s death. Under Washington law, the claim is filed through the decedent’s personal representative on behalf of eligible statutory beneficiaries. It allows surviving family members to seek compensation for their losses, which may include funeral expenses, lost income and support, and loss of companionship, among other damages. The claim is separate from any criminal case.

What Compensation Is Recoverable?

Compensation in a Washington wrongful-death claim can include both economic and noneconomic damages.

Depending on the facts and applicable law, recoverable losses may include:

Economic Damages: such as medical expenses incurred in connection with the final injury, funeral and burial costs, and loss of income or financial support the decedent would have provided.
Non-Economic Damages: including loss of companionship, guidance, and the emotional impact on surviving family members.

The categories and amounts that may apply depend on the evidence, the relationship between the claimant and the decedent, the decedent’s financial contributions, and the specific circumstances of the death. A review of your family’s situation is necessary before any assessment of what may be recoverable.

How Long Does a Wrongful Death Case Take?

There is no reliable average timeline for a wrongful death case in Bellevue. Some cases reach resolution through settlement outside of court, while others require litigation that extends the timeline.

Factors that commonly affect how long a claim takes include the number of potentially responsible parties, the volume of investigation and expert review required, disputes over liability, the scope of damages documentation needed, court scheduling, and whether the parties are willing to negotiate in good faith. We evaluate each claim individually, keep our clients informed of major developments, and explain how settlement negotiations, court procedures, and trial preparation may affect the timeline.

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What Makes Our Firm Unique

40+ Years of
Proven Legal Experience
With decades of hands-on litigation and negotiation, we bring a deep understanding of how to build strong, successful cases.
Aggressive & Personalized
Representation
We tailor our legal strategies to your unique situation, relentlessly pursuing the maximum compensation you're entitled to.
Committed to Securing
Justice for Each Client
We treat every case with the urgency and dedication it deserves, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
No Fees Unless
We Win Your Case

Our clients can focus on healing while we fight for results—because we only get paid when you do.

Discuss Your Wrongful Death Claim in a Complimentary Consultation

You don’t need to have every answer before you call. In a complimentary consultation, we can discuss your family’s circumstances, potential legal options, and next steps. If we take your case, we can coordinate evidence gathering, insurer communications, and negotiations while keeping you informed of major decisions.

Contact Lindquist & Kornfeld at (425) 657-5255 for a complimentary consultation. We’ll listen and explain what the process may involve.

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