Wrongful Death Attorney in Seattle
Wrongful Death Guidance Rooted in Firsthand Experience with Serious Injury
Losing a loved one because of someone else’s choices is painful and disorienting. While you grieve, you may also be facing medical bills, funeral costs, and urgent questions about your family’s future. You may be wondering whether a wrongful death attorney can help.
At Lindquist & Kornfeld, we help Seattle-area families pursue justice and financial recovery after a preventable death. Led by attorney Robert Kornfeld, we guide you through your options in plain language, with complimentary consultations and meeting locations that fit your needs.
If your family is facing questions after a preventable loss, you don’t have to sort through them alone. Speak with our Seattle wrongful death attorney in a complimentary consultation to understand your options.
Personal Support for Grieving Families
When you’re grieving, choosing a law firm can feel like one more difficult decision. You may want a lawyer who understands what you’re going through. Robert’s firsthand experience with a serious personal injury gives him insight into long medical recoveries, uncertainty about the future, and the pressure of trying to hold a family together.
That perspective shapes how we support each family. We take time to answer questions, return calls, and explain what’s happening, so you can stay informed at every step. Our team has handled personal injury matters in Washington since 1985, and we can meet you at home, in a hospital, or at another convenient location when needed.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in Washington
A wrongful death claim is a civil action that may be available when a person dies because of another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. It is separate from any criminal case arising from the same death. Civil responsibility, available damages, and the people entitled to benefit from a claim depend on Washington law and the specific facts.
Washington law generally places the lawsuit in the hands of the deceased person’s personal representative, who acts for the benefit of eligible wrongful death beneficiaries. Those beneficiaries may include a spouse, state-registered domestic partner, children, or stepchildren. Parents or siblings may qualify in other circumstances, so eligibility requires a careful review rather than assumptions based only on family relationship.
Potential damages may include medical expenses connected to the final injury, funeral and burial expenses, lost income or financial support, and the loss of companionship, guidance, or household services. Economic damages address measurable financial losses, while noneconomic damages concern personal losses that don’t have a direct invoice or wage statement. A survival action may also be available for losses the deceased person experienced before death.
How We Handle a Wrongful Death Claim
After a sudden loss, the legal system can feel cold and intimidating. We start with a calm conversation about what happened, then explain how Washington law may apply and whether a wrongful death claim may be available.
If you choose to work with us, we gather key records and evidence, consult appropriate professionals when needed, and handle communications with insurance companies and defense lawyers so you don’t have to.
We keep you updated in clear language and help you weigh negotiation, mediation, and trial options so you can make informed decisions. A wrongful death claim can’t replace your loved one, but it can provide a civil path for pursuing accountability and compensation for the losses recognized by law.
These practical steps can help preserve important information while your family considers its options:
- Save and organize anything connected to the death, including hospital records, police reports, emails or letters, and photos.
- Write down what you remember about what happened while the details are still fresh, including names, dates, and who said what.
- Gather basic information that may affect damages, such as your loved one’s job, income, benefits, dependents, and household contributions.
- Be cautious with insurance companies and other parties, and avoid detailed recorded statements or signing releases until you understand what is being requested.
- Keep Washington filing deadlines in mind and speak with a wrongful death attorney when you feel ready, even if you don’t have every document yet.
- Ask our lawyers what evidence matters most and how to preserve it, so key information doesn’t get lost over time.
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.
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$25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
The defendant driver failed to stop at stop sign and collided with Plaintiff’s car. Plaintiff’s car was totaled. She sustained neck, back and bilateral shoulder injuries.
Car Accident -
$345,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Our client was walking on a side walk when they were hit by a car. They had shoulder surgery and a total knee replacement This is a good example as to why we need to have sufficient car insurance.
Car Accident -
$1,350,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
A young man in his 30’s was injured in a head-on car crash which resulted in discovery of Syringomyelia aka/Syrinx. The trauma from this collision lit up an underlying congenital condition which he did not know he had.
Brain Injury -
$650,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
John Doe v. Trans-America Insurance: Commercial Dump Truck Driver suffered a hip injury and permanent nerve damage to his foot
Car Accident -
$5,200,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
We recovered $5.2 Million from the government for a woman who sustained a spine injury in a motor vehicle accident due to an unsafe and defective highway design.
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$325,000 Truck Accident
Jane Doe v. Scheister Truck Co: Jane Doe was rear ended by a truck and trailer and suffered a mild traumatic brain injury without any objective findings.
Brain Injury -
$2,300,000 Brain Injury
Dalgado v. Cosmos Shipping Lines: (Federal Court of Canada Court No. T-1601-98) (Vancouver, Canada) An unsecured gangway nearly drowned a merchant marine. The client suffered a traumatic brain injury and won a claim for lost wages, medical bills, and compensation for his head injuries.
Brain Injury -
$275,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Our client received a $275,000 third-party settlement after he was rear-ended and recruited our firm. The accident took a toll on our client’s spine and abdomen. He suffered a cervical strain, right trapezius strain, chest wall contusion, and abdominal wall contusion. Our client also sprained his left foot and ankle, sustained A.C. arthrosis and degenerative labral tears, and suffered mild chronic rotator cuff tendinosis.
Car Accident -
$200,000 Race Discrimination
Fish processor recovers $200,000 for Race Discrimination aboard a fish processor because he was Hispanic.
Employment Law
Fatal Incidents That May Support a Wrongful Death Claim
Wrongful death claims can arise from fatal motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian collisions, unsafe property conditions, medical malpractice, defective products, workplace incidents, and other conduct that may have contributed to a death. We evaluate the underlying act or omission, the connection between that conduct and the death, and the losses recognized under Washington law.
Our personal injury experience includes motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and medical malpractice matters. We’ve also handled a fatal medical malpractice matter involving an estate, delayed airway management, brain injury, and death.
Evidence used to evaluate responsibility may include:
- Incident evidence: Accident reports, photographs, video, physical evidence, and witness accounts
- Medical evidence: Medical records, treatment timelines, test results, and qualified professional opinions
- Financial evidence: Employment records, income information, benefits, and documentation of household contributions
- Party communications: Insurance correspondence, recorded statements, notices, and communications with responsible parties
What Makes Our Firm Unique
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40+ Years of
Proven Legal ExperienceWith decades of hands-on litigation and negotiation, we bring a deep understanding of how to build strong, successful cases. -
Aggressive & Personalized
RepresentationWe tailor our legal strategies to your unique situation, relentlessly pursuing the maximum compensation you're entitled to. -
Committed to Securing
Justice for Each ClientWe 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 CaseOur clients can focus on healing while we fight for results—because we only get paid when you do.
Experience with Serious Injury Litigation
Robert Kornfeld graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1979 and is licensed to practice in Washington. He has handled trials and settlements in state and federal courts, including matters involving motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, pedestrian accidents, and other serious injuries.
Robert also understands serious injury from a personal perspective. After suffering injuries in a 1985 motor vehicle collision, he experienced the pain, anxiety, and uncertainty that can follow a life-changing event. That background informs the clear communication and attentive legal guidance we provide to families facing a fatal injury claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Your Firm Discuss Legal Fees?
We offer complimentary consultations so you can learn about your options without cost. Before representation begins, we explain the proposed fee arrangement, potential case expenses, and how any fees would be calculated. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to work with us.
How Long Can a Wrongful Death Case Take?
Timelines vary based on the complexity of the facts, the number of parties, the available evidence, insurance negotiations, and whether litigation becomes necessary. We discuss the likely stages based on your circumstances and keep you updated as the matter moves forward.
Discuss Your Family’s Options with Us
Taking the first step after a loss can feel difficult, but you don’t have to face these questions alone. At Lindquist & Kornfeld, we’ve been helping injured people and grieving families throughout Washington since 1985. Our goal is to combine careful legal work with the kind of support we’d want for our own families.
When you reach out, you can expect a calm, respectful conversation about what happened and what matters most to you. We offer complimentary consultations. Our team can meet with you at our Seattle office, in your home, or in a hospital if that’s easier.
Contact Lindquist & Kornfeld when you’re ready to schedule a complimentary consultation and discuss what your family may be entitled to pursue.
