Tacoma Wrongful Death Attorney
Over $50 Million Recovered for Wrongfully Injured Pierce County Clients
Losing a family member because of another party’s wrongful act or neglect is devastating. At Becker Franklin Rovang, we represent families pursuing wrongful death claims throughout Tacoma and Pierce County. Our attorneys have served injured clients and their families across Washington State since 1984, with over 100 years of combined legal experience.
A wrongful death claim may arise when a person’s death results from another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. No financial recovery can replace a family member, but a legal claim may address the losses Washington law recognizes. We guide families through that process with clear communication, regular case updates, and personalized attention from consultation through resolution.
Call Becker Franklin Rovang today at (360) 800-3009 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Tacoma wrongful death attorneys.
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“Steve Franklin was caring and extremely helpful during the traumatic time.”
- KCI never left a review after the incredible services this law firm provided me. I was in a car accident. Steve Franklin was caring and extremely helpful during the traumatic time. I was new to living in the area and felt so comfortable and supported by him. Five years later…. They still send me birthday cards. I know, I know…. It may seem silly, but this is such a sweet gesture! 10/10 Recommend.
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“The team I got to work with was fantastic!”
- Stephanie W.The team I got to work with was fantastic! They are very responsive, kind, and understanding. I was lucky enough to get their help for a complicated situation and am very glad I found them and chose to work with them on my case. Highly recommend!
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“Set realistic expectations and delivered.”
The whole team helped resolve my suit as expeditiously as possible with an ultimately acceptable outcome. Good communication and wonderful people to work with, set realistic expectations and delivered. 10/10 would not advise getting in a car wreck, but if you do these are the people to call!- Colin S. -
“They handled my case so meticulously and didn’t miss a thing!”
I worked with Steve for over a year and him and his team are absolutely amazing! They handled my case so meticulously and didn’t miss a thing! When he explained things to me he always broke it down so I understood exactly what was happening and of- Lauren R.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Becker Franklin Rovang, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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- Former Client
Extremely professional and thorough. The effort, time and patience they have given me is second to none. So well prepared that the opposing party conceded right away and the rest went very smoothly. Thanks to Ian, Destiny, and the rest of the staff. I highly recommend them for your legal needs.
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- KC
I never left a review after the incredible services this law firm provided me. I was in a car accident. Steve Franklin was caring and extremely helpful during the traumatic time. I was new to living in the area and felt so comfortable and supported by him. Five years later…. They still send me birthday cards. I know, I know…. It may seem silly, but this is such a sweet gesture! 10/10 Recommend.
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- Stephanie W.
The team I got to work with was fantastic! They are very responsive, kind, and understanding. I was lucky enough to get their help for a complicated situation and am very glad I found them and chose to work with them on my case. Highly recommend!
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The whole team helped resolve my suit as expeditiously as possible with an ultimately acceptable outcome. Good communication and wonderful people to work with, set realistic expectations and delivered. 10/10 would not advise getting in a car wreck, but if you do these are the people to call!- Colin S.
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I worked with Steve for over a year and him and his team are absolutely amazing! They handled my case so meticulously and didn’t miss a thing! When he explained things to me he always broke it down so I understood exactly what was happening and of- Lauren R.
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Steve and his team did an exceptional job on my case. Their persistence and dedication to ensuring I received proper recompense was unmatched, and I am thankful for their efforts. I highly recommend Becker, Franklin, and Roving for any legal needs you migh- Former Client
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- DR
I am very Lucky to have found Ian De Verna for my attorney. I was injured in a car accident and while Ian was working on my case I was hit by someone again. This time the person had no insurance I was injured again and my brand new car was totaled. Being injured again I was pretty scared but thankfully Ian took on this case for uninsured motorist against my insurance company as well. It was a challenge I am sure but Ian and his staff were very professional and caring the whole time. With all Ian's hard work he was able to get policy limits for both cases. Ian is not only good at his profession but truly cares about his clients and works very hard with his great group of people at Becker Franklin Rovang Injury office
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- Michelle S.
John Kauffman and his team were excellent in helping my husband and I settle our personal injury case. John was knowledgeable, professional, answered any questions we had and kept us informed throughout the entire process. If you’re looking for an attorney who will go to bat for you, John is your guy. Thank you again John!
Tacoma Wrongful Death Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Washington?
Under Washington law, a wrongful death action is maintained by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, and the recovery benefits the statutory beneficiaries identified under RCW 4.20.020. Those beneficiaries may include a spouse, state-registered domestic partner, child or children, and stepchildren. Parents or siblings may be involved when those relationships are absent. Because eligibility depends on family relationships, the estate’s personal-representative status, and other procedural facts, we can clarify your specific situation.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Case?
Washington law recognizes both economic and noneconomic damages in wrongful death actions. Potential economic losses may include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost income, and lost financial support. Potential noneconomic losses may include loss of companionship, care, guidance, and emotional support. The amount and availability of damages depend on the circumstances of the case and the applicable law. A survival action, which addresses losses the deceased person suffered before death, may also be relevant when the person survived an injury for some period before passing. Our attorneys can explain how these claims may apply to your family’s situation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Washington law contains deadlines for filing wrongful death and related injury actions. While RCW 4.16.080 establishes a three-year period for specified injury actions, the deadline that applies to a particular wrongful death matter depends on the claim type, the specific facts, and other legal considerations. We encourage families to seek legal advice promptly. Waiting too long can affect the preservation of evidence, the ability to communicate with insurers, and the options available to your family.
How Is Negligence Proven in a Wrongful Death Case?
Evaluating a potential wrongful death claim typically involves reviewing whether the responsible party owed a duty of care, whether that duty was breached, and whether that breach caused the death. Available evidence, the losses suffered by statutory beneficiaries, and other case-specific facts factor into the analysis. Our attorneys gather incident records, medical records, and witness information, and assess what additional evidence may be needed to support the claim.
What Should I Do If I Suspect Wrongful Death?
If you believe a loved one’s death may have been caused by another party’s wrongful act or neglect, contact us promptly. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your situation. Gathering available incident records, medical records, insurance correspondence, and information about the deceased person’s dependents before that meeting can help us evaluate the claim. Families should also avoid making recorded statements about fault or settlement before receiving legal advice, as those communications can affect available options.
Contact Our Tacoma Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
When you reach out to us, we start by listening to your concerns and answering your immediate questions about what to expect from a wrongful death attorney in Tacoma. We explain how fees work, which documents to bring, and how we can communicate with you. From there, we outline a plan for the first weeks of the case so you know what we’re doing while you focus on family needs.
We can meet with clients in person when convenient or travel to your location when needed. Depending on the circumstances, we can pursue the case through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or trial. Seeking legal advice promptly matters, as evidence, insurance communications, and filing deadlines can all affect the options available to you.
Contact us online or call (360) 800-3009 today to schedule your free consultation with our Tacoma wrongful death attorney.
our case results Our Clients Always Come First
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$4,700,000 Recovery - Negligence
Recovery for disabled man neglected in Kitsap County Jail who suffered brain damage and quadriplegia.
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$3,500,000 Pedestrians / Premises Liability
Our clients, a father and toddler son, were hit by a Park’s Department vehicle in Seattle while walking to the restroom. Father sustained an arm fracture and fractured vertebrae, toddler sustained a head injury. Settlement obtained after litigation.
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$2,025,000 Pedestrian Collision
Client was catastrophically injured whenstruck by a delivery driver in Port Orchard while attempting to cross the street. Insurance company for the driver blamed our client for stepping out into the roadway in the dark and did not take any responsibility. After litigation the matter was settled before trial.
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$1,500,000 Motor Vehicle Collision
Our client was a passenger on a shuttle bus in Kitsap County. The shuttle was struck by a drunk driver. Client sustained significant spinal injuries.
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$1,300,000 Pedestrian Collision
Our client, in her 60’s, was hit by vehicle while crossing a street in Kitsap County. Extensive injuries, liability was disputed.
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$1,050,000 Motor Vehicle Collision
Clients, husband and wife, were rear- ended by an RV while waiting in line for the ferry in Edmonds. Wife had prior lumbar spine issues that were severely aggravated requiring surgery. Defense argued that the incident did not aggravate the injuries. Policy limits obtained before trial.
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