Bremerton Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is a terrible tragedy that no family should have to endure. At Brumley Law Firm, we are passionate about helping people seek justice for cases of wrongful death. Our Bremerton wrongful death lawyers can help you hold one or multiple parties accountable for causing the tragic loss of your loved one’s life. 

Speak to us today about your case during a free consultation.

Why Choose Our Bremerton Wrongful Death Lawyer?

• Founding attorney Joshua R. Brumley has a wealth of experience in personal injury law. He will use his in-depth knowledge of wrongful death cases in Washington to your advantage.
• We bring together over 30 years of combined legal experience. In the last year alone, we have successfully resolved more than 300 cases, including many wrongful death claims.
• Our Bremerton personal injury lawyers truly care about their clients. Your family will receive individualized care and attention from your wrongful death attorney every step of the way.
• We handle wrongful death cases in Bremerton on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will only be charged a fee for our services if we secure financial compensation for your losses.

Meet Bremerton Wrongful Death Attorney Joshua Brumley

Joshua Brumley is the founder and lead attorney of Brumley Law Firm. He began his career on the insurance-defense side, which gives him firsthand insight into how insurers assess and fight these claims. He now uses that experience to stand up for grieving families across Washington, including here in Kitsap County.

Joshua has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for four consecutive years (2020 through 2023) and has received the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award. He is a University of Washington graduate, holds an MBA, and has served as a pro-tem judge.

 You can review his credentials on his attorney bio page or verify his license through the Washington State Bar Association. Brumley Law Firm was also ranked No. 292 on the 2026 Inc. 5000, placing it among the top 6% of companies on the list.

What Our Clients Say

“Brumley Law was phenomenal. They took the time to help me understand what was happening every step of the way, and treated my family with real compassion during the hardest time of our lives.” — Brooke P. (5 stars)

“Josh Brumley and his team are incredible. They were prompt, professional, and compassionate. I highly recommend Brumley Law Firm to anyone in need of legal assistance.” — Sabrina T. (5 stars)

Read more client testimonials.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Washington?

The State of Washington defines wrongful death as a death caused by the “wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person” (RCW 4.20.010). Neglect or negligence refers to a failure to exercise proper care for the circumstances, such as a driver choosing to text and drive. A wrongful act refers to criminal acts or intent to harm, while a default is an omission or failure to act when a prudent party would have.

A wrongful death claim is separate from any criminal case. A criminal case punishes the wrongdoer; a wrongful death claim compensates the family. Both can proceed at the same time, and a wrongful death claim can succeed even if no criminal charges are filed.

If your loved one recently passed away in a car accident, a truck or motorcycle crash, a workplace accident, a slip and fall, or other circumstances where you believe someone else is at fault, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim in Bremerton.

Who Can File, and Who Can Recover?

Washington law separates two roles, and this is the part of a wrongful death claim families most often get wrong.

Who files: Washington requires the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate to file the lawsuit, unless the claimant is an eligible parent or guardian of a deceased child. If the deceased did not appoint a personal representative before death, one is appointed during probate.

Who recovers: RCW 4.20.020 sets out the beneficiaries in two tiers:

• First tier: the surviving spouse or state-registered domestic partner, and the children or stepchildren of the deceased.
• Second tier: if there is no first-tier beneficiary, the parents or siblings of the deceased.

Washington expanded this law in 2019. Parents and siblings no longer need to have been financially dependent on the deceased or living in the United States to recover. That change opened the door to many families who previously had no claim, and it’s worth knowing because many general descriptions of the law online still describe the old, narrower rule.

Washington also recognizes related claims. A survival action under RCW 4.20.046 lets the estate recover the losses the deceased personally suffered before death, such as pre-death medical bills and pain. Parents may have a separate claim for the death of a child under RCW 4.24.010. Sorting out which claims apply to your family is one of the first things we do.

What Does a Wrongful Death Attorney in Bremerton Do?

A wrongful death lawyer will have the experience, knowledge of the law, and legal resources your family needs to present the strongest possible wrongful death claim to an insurance company or the courts. Your Bremerton wrongful death lawyer can investigate your loved one’s fatal accident to determine if someone is at fault and can be held responsible.

If so, your lawyer can collect evidence to prove your case and hire experts who are at the top of their fields to establish the elements of your claim. A wrongful death attorney in Bremerton will handle settlement negotiations with an insurance provider or bring your case to trial, if necessary, while your family focuses on healing.

Proving a Wrongful Death Claim

To succeed, we must establish the same four elements as any negligence case:

1. Duty of care. The responsible party owed the deceased a duty of care.
2. Breach. They breached that duty through a negligent, reckless, or intentional act.
3. Causation. That breach directly caused the death.
4. Damages. The death caused measurable losses to the beneficiaries.

We build that proof through police and accident reports, medical and autopsy records, witness statements, and expert testimony.

What If My Loved One Was Partly at Fault?

Washington follows a pure comparative negligence rule. If the deceased was partly at fault, your family’s recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovering. For example, if the deceased was found 20 percent at fault, the recovery is reduced by 20 percent. Insurers often try to overstate the deceased’s share, and we push back with evidence.

Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death claim can compensate your family for both financial and personal losses:

Economic damages:

• Loss of the financial support and income the deceased would have provided
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of benefits, such as health insurance or a pension
• Medical bills from the deceased’s final injury or illness, through the survival action

Non-economic damages:

• Loss of love, companionship, and consortium
• Loss of the care, guidance, and protection the deceased provided
• The family’s grief and emotional suffering

Washington does not cap non-economic damages. The state Supreme Court struck down damage caps, so there is no statutory ceiling on what a family can recover for these losses. Washington also does not award separate punitive damages in these cases; the recovery is based on the family’s actual losses.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Washington Wrongful Death Claim?

According to RCW 4.16.080, you have a maximum of three years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a wrongful death claim with the civil courts. If you fail to take legal action within this window, your case will generally be time-barred and not allowed to proceed. Some situations, such as claims against a government entity, can change that deadline, so it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as you are able.

Wrongful Death Claims in Bremerton

Bremerton sits along SR 3, the main freeway through Kitsap County, with SR 304 carrying traffic between SR 3, downtown Bremerton, and the Seattle-Bremerton ferry terminal, one of the busiest points of congestion in the city. Serious injuries are often first treated at St. Michael Medical Center in nearby Silverdale, the region’s Level III Trauma Center serving Kitsap and the Olympic Peninsula, or at the hybrid emergency and urgent care facility in Bremerton itself.

A wrongful death lawsuit arising in Bremerton is filed in Kitsap County Superior Court, located at 614 Division Street in Port Orchard, the county seat.

Fatal Accidents in Washington and Kitsap County: The Numbers

• Washington recorded 659 traffic deaths in 2025, down from a 33-year high of 809 in 2023, but still well above pre-pandemic levels, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
• The Kitsap Sun has reported that fatal crashes in Kitsap County rose from 20 in 2022 to 22 in 2023, a 10 percent increase in a single year.
• Pedestrian and bicyclist collisions in Kitsap County grew from 2 in 2019 to 9 in 2021, underscoring how vulnerable road users face heightened risk locally.
• Kitsap County and Bremerton are part of Washington’s Target Zero Initiative, which aims to eliminate all fatal and serious-injury crashes statewide by 2030.

What Is the Process for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim?

1. Preserve records. If your loved one initially survived, make sure all medical care and records are preserved.
2. Consult an attorney. Meet with us to assess your family’s rights and who the beneficiaries are.
3. Investigation. We gather records, interview witnesses, and consult experts.
4. File the action. We prepare and file the wrongful death claim under Washington law.
5. Negotiation. We pursue a fair settlement with the insurers and liable parties.
6. Litigation and trial. If the offer is not fair, we take the case to court.
7. Recovery. When the case resolves, the recovery goes to the statutory beneficiaries.

Contact Our Bremerton Wrongful Death Attorneys Today

You are already dealing with enough as you grieve the loss of someone you love. Let us fight for justice on your behalf. Discuss your legal rights and options with a Bremerton wrongful death attorney at Brumley Law Firm today at no cost or obligation. 

Contact us at (360) 506-6220  to request your free case consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

FAQs

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Washington?
The claim is filed by the court-appointed personal representative of the deceased’s estate, unless the claimant is an eligible parent or guardian of a deceased child. The compensation goes to the statutory beneficiaries: first a spouse or domestic partner and children, and if there are none, the parents or siblings.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Bremerton?
Generally three years from the date of death, under RCW 4.16.080. Some situations, such as claims against a government entity, can change that deadline, so it is best to speak with an attorney early.

Does Washington cap wrongful death damages?
No. Washington does not cap non-economic damages, and the state Supreme Court struck down such caps. Washington also does not award separate punitive damages; recovery is based on the family’s actual losses.

How much does a Bremerton wrongful death lawyer cost?
Brumley Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front and nothing in attorney’s fees unless we recover for your family. The consultation is free.

Where would a Bremerton wrongful death lawsuit be filed?
Cases from Bremerton and Kitsap County are filed in Kitsap County Superior Court in Port Orchard, the county seat.