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Spokane Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing someone you love because of another person’s carelessness is a pain no family should have to carry. No legal claim can undo that loss. What a wrongful death claim can do is hold the responsible party accountable and secure the financial stability your family needs to move forward, so you can grieve without also fearing for your future.

At Brumley Law Firm, our Spokane wrongful death lawyers handle these cases with the compassion they deserve and the resolve they require. We take on the insurance companies and the investigation so your family can focus on healing. 

Call (509) 517-5920 for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Choose Brumley Law Firm?

  • We handle these cases with care. We understand that behind every wrongful death claim is a grieving family, and we treat you accordingly.
  • A proven track record. Our firm resolved more than 300 cases in the past year, pursuing the full compensation available under Washington law.
  • We know the other side. Founder Joshua Brumley began his career on the insurance-defense side, so we know how insurers evaluate and try to minimize these claims.
  • No fees unless we win. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front and nothing in attorney’s fees unless we recover for your family.
  • A local office. Our Spokane office keeps us close to the courts and families we serve across Eastern Washington.

Meet Spokane 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.

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 Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Washington?

A wrongful death claim is a civil action brought when a person dies because of the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another. Under RCW 4.20.010, the claim is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, on behalf of the family, to recover the economic and non-economic losses the family suffered as a result of the death.

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

Who Can File and Who Can Recover?

Washington law separates the two roles:

Who files. Only the court-appointed personal representative of the estate can file the lawsuit. That person is usually named in the deceased’s will or appointed by the court.

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.

Importantly, 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 in order to recover. That change opened the door to many families who previously had no claim, and most competitor pages 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 also have a separate claim for the death of a child under RCW 4.24.010. Sorting out which claims apply is one of the first things an attorney does.

Common Types of Wrongful Death Cases

Wrongful death claims can arise from many kinds of negligence, including:

  • Motor vehicle accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle crashes
  • Medical malpractice, such as surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or medication mistakes
  • Workplace accidents, including construction and industrial incidents
  • Defective products, including faulty vehicles, machinery, or consumer goods
  • Premises liability, such as unsafe property conditions
  • Acts of violence

Proving a Wrongful Death Claim

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

  1. Duty of care. The at-fault party owed the deceased a duty, such as a driver’s duty to drive safely.
  2. Breach. They breached that duty through a careless or wrongful act.
  3. Causation. That breach 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. Even if your loved one was found mostly at fault, a claim may still be worth pursuing. Insurers often try to overstate the deceased’s share of fault to cut what they pay, 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.

How Long Do You Have to File in Washington?

The statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim in Washington is generally three years from the date of death, under RCW 4.16.080. Some situations can change that window, so it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as you are able. Acting sooner also helps preserve the evidence your claim depends on.

Wrongful Death Claims in Spokane

Fatal crashes in the Spokane area happen most often on I-90, the region’s main east-west corridor, and on US-395, US-2, and other high-traffic routes. When a death follows a serious injury, victims are often first treated at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, the region’s largest hospital and trauma center. A wrongful death lawsuit arising in Spokane is filed in Spokane County Superior Court.

Fatal Accidents in Washington: 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.
  • The Washington Traffic Safety Commission attributes most traffic deaths to four preventable behaviors: impaired driving, speeding, distraction, and not wearing a seat belt.
  • The Washington State Department of Transportation tracks fatal crash data for Spokane and Spokane County every year through its Crash Data Portal.

How Brumley Law Firm Can Help

  • We investigate the cause of death and identify every responsible party.
  • We handle the insurers, so your family is not pressured into a low settlement while grieving.
  • We calculate the full value of your loss, working with financial and medical experts.
  • We litigate when we have to, and are prepared to try your case in Spokane County Superior Court if the offer is not fair.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Washington?
 The claim is filed by the court-appointed personal representative of the deceased’s estate. 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 Spokane?
 Generally three years from the date of death, under RCW 4.16.080. Some situations can change that deadline, so it is best to speak with an attorney early.

How is a wrongful death settlement divided among family members?
 There is no rigid formula. Damages are awarded based on each beneficiary’s actual loss, and the personal representative distributes the recovery to the beneficiaries. An attorney can explain how this works in your family’s situation.

Does Washington cap wrongful death damages?
 No. Washington does not cap non-economic damages. The state Supreme Court struck down such caps, so there is no statutory ceiling on damages for a family’s loss.

How much does a Spokane 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.

Contact a Spokane Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

No amount of money can replace the person you lost. But holding the responsible party accountable can bring a measure of justice and protect your family’s future. Let us carry the legal burden so you can focus on your family. Call Brumley Law Firm at (509) 517-5920 or use our online form for a free, confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

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