Washington, DC Wrongful Death Lawyers
After a fatal incident in Washington, DC, families may face funeral arrangements, financial concerns, insurance calls, and unanswered questions about what happened. Burns & Favors (Purely Legal) offers a free case review to discuss the circumstances and what information may help an investigation.
You do not need a complete file or a finished investigation to make an initial inquiry. Start with your relationship to the person who died, where and when the incident occurred, and how you would prefer to be contacted. A review can help clarify questions; it cannot promise compensation, closure, or a particular outcome.
Request a free DC wrongful death case review or call 833-778-7359. Share only the details you are comfortable including in the initial message.
Who Can Make a Wrongful Death Claim in the District of Columbia?
In Washington, D.C., a wrongful death claim may be brought by a personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. Typically the personal representative is the individual appointed in the deceased’s will.
If no will exists, the personal representative is appointed by the court.
In most cases, this could include:
- The deceased’s surviving spouse
- The surviving children of the deceased
- The surviving parents of the deceased
- The surviving siblings of the deceased
- Any other surviving blood relatives or adoptive relatives of the deceased
It is important to contact Purely Legal as soon as possible after the death of a loved one to ensure that a wrongful death claim is filed promptly.
Wrongful Death and Survival Claims: Different Losses
DC law distinguishes the family’s wrongful death claim from a claim that survives on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. Under DC Code section 16-2701, wrongful death damages address injury to the spouse or domestic partner and next of kin and include reasonable expenses of last illness and burial. The recoverable losses and allocation depend on the evidence and applicable law.
A separate survival claim under section 12-101 concerns rights of action that accrued before death. Pre-death pain and suffering should not be presented as an automatic element of the family’s wrongful death recovery. Whether such losses or any exceptional damages are available requires separate legal and factual review. No category or amount of recovery is guaranteed.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Wrongful Death Claims?
Wrongful death claims can be made when a person’s death is caused by the negligent or intentional act of another person. In these cases, the person or entity responsible for the death can be held liable and may face civil and criminal penalties.
The liable party can include individuals, companies, and/or governmental entities.
Individuals
An individual can be held liable for wrongful death if they commit a negligent act or an intentional act resulting in another person’s death.
Examples of negligent acts can include driving under the influence of alcohol, medical malpractice, or failing to follow safety protocols. Examples of intentional acts can include assault, battery, and murder.
Companies
Companies can be held liable for wrongful death if their negligence or intentional act results in death. Examples of negligence can include failure to provide a safe working environment or faulty products, while examples of intentional acts can include wrongful termination or discrimination.
Government Entities
Governmental entities can be held liable for wrongful death if their negligence or intentional act results in death. Examples of negligence can include failing to maintain public roads or public buildings, while examples of intentional acts can include false arrest and detainment.
How to Know if You Have a Valid Wrongful Death Case in Washington, D.C.
Determining whether you have a valid wrongful death claim isn’t always clear-cut.
Here are a few ways to determine if you have a case:
- Was the death of your loved one caused by the negligence or intentional act of another person or company?
- Is there evidence to show that there was a duty of care owed to the deceased that was breached?
- Is there evidence to show that the deceased suffered damages as a result of the breach of duty?
- Is there evidence to show that the deceased’s death was caused by the breach of duty of care?
- Is there someone to bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased?
If you can answer “yes” to each of these questions, you may have a wrongful death case. However, the best way to know is by contacting our wrongful death lawyers at Purely Legal for a FREE consultation today.
Why Choose Purely Legal to Represent You?
At Purely Legal, we understand how devastating it can be to lose a loved one due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing. We are here to help you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve.
Here’s why you should choose us to represent you in a wrongful death claim:
- Extensive experience — Our team of highly experienced attorneys has handled a range of wrongful death cases, giving us the knowledge and expertise to secure a favorable outcome for you.
- Compassionate representation — We understand how difficult it is to navigate the legal process after the death of a loved one, and will provide you with the support and guidance you need throughout the entire process.
- Results-driven approach — Our attorneys will work tirelessly to pursue the claim diligently, without promising a particular outcome.
- No upfront costs — We understand that you may be concerned about the costs of pursuing a wrongful death claim.
Contact Purely Legal today to discuss your legal options if you have lost a loved one due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing. We are here to help you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact Experienced Washington, D.C. Wrongful Death Attorneys
Don’t settle for anything less than justice! If you or a loved one has been the victim of wrongful death, don’t wait to seek legal assistance.
Take action now with our team at Purely Legal.
We are dedicated to helping you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.
Wrongful Death Claims in Washington, DC
A wrongful death claim in Washington, DC can follow a fatal car crash, truck collision, pedestrian injury, fall, negligent security incident, drowning, construction incident, medical event, or another preventable loss. Families are often dealing with grief, funeral arrangements, financial pressure, and unanswered questions at the same time. Purely Legal helps families investigate what happened, identify who may be responsible, and preserve the evidence needed to support the claim.
Who Brings The Claim And Why Timing Matters
Under DC wrongful death law, the claim is generally brought by the personal representative of the deceased person. DC law generally requires a wrongful death action to be filed within two years after the death, but families should get advice early because evidence, insurance issues, probate questions, and related claims can affect the path forward. Waiting can make it harder to locate witnesses, obtain video, and secure records from businesses or insurers.
Evidence In A DC Wrongful Death Case
The evidence depends on how the death occurred. In a fatal crash, the case may involve crash reports, vehicle damage, scene photographs, surveillance footage, driver records, insurance policies, commercial vehicle records, medical records, and expert review. In a premises or negligent security case, the investigation may focus on prior complaints, lighting, locks, cameras, security staffing, maintenance history, incident reports, and property control.
How Purely Legal Helps Families
Purely Legal can help coordinate the investigation, communicate with insurers, evaluate available claims, document economic losses, and explain the legal process in plain language. The goal is to take pressure off the family while building a claim that shows both what happened and how the loss changed the lives of the people left behind.
Related pages: Washington, DC personal injury lawyers, Washington, DC truck accident lawyers, Washington, DC slip and fall lawyers, case results, and contact Purely Legal.
Practical Questions Before Contacting the Firm
What If the Family Has Not Gathered All the Records?
Begin with what you know: the incident location and date, any report number, and the organizations or insurers that have contacted you. Tell us which documents are missing. An initial inquiry is a starting point for discussing the matter, not a requirement to assemble a complete evidence file.
What If an Investigation Is Still Ongoing?
Tell us which agency or organization is investigating and share any reference number or contact details already provided to the family. Explain what is known and what has not been confirmed. A review can identify questions to explore without assuming that an investigation will establish responsibility.
What Should We Do With Insurance Letters and Calls?
Save letters, emails, claim numbers, and the names of people who contact the family. Let the lawyer know if an insurer has asked for a statement, release, or settlement decision. The appropriate response depends on the request and circumstances; you do not need to interpret those documents before asking for a review.
