Nothing prepares a family for a sudden loss. If someone’s careless act took your loved one, you may be facing grief, questions, and money worries at once. Rich Martin is a Redmond wrongful death lawyer, based in Bellevue about 8 miles away. He can walk your family through the law and the steps involved, without pressure, whenever you’re ready.
Redmond: local facts
- County
- King County
- Court
- King County Superior Court, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Seattle (crashes in the Seattle case area)
- Major roads
- SR 520, SR 202 (Redmond-Woodinville Road), Redmond Way, Avondale Road NE, Bel-Red Road
- Hospitals
- EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland and Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue (both Level III trauma centers)
- Population
- 83,320 (Washington OFM estimate, April 1, 2026)
- Our office
- Our Bellevue office is about 8 miles away (about 14 minutes without traffic).
You don’t have to decide anything today
Many families worry they’ve already missed something. Usually, there’s time. The general deadline for a wrongful death case in Washington is three years. A few situations move faster, which is why a short, free call early on can help. After that, you set the pace.
- We listen first and answer questions in plain words.
- We handle the insurers so they don’t call your family.
- We investigate what happened and who is responsible.
- You pay nothing unless we recover money for the family.
In 2025, one person died on Redmond’s city roads. Another 15 crashes left someone seriously hurt (City of Redmond). Across King County, there were 146 fatal crashes in 2022, 151 in 2023, and 140 in 2024, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (2024 is preliminary).
How these losses happen
Many wrongful death cases start with a crash. Others come from unsafe property, a truck, or a work site. Each has its own evidence and insurance. See our Redmond pages on car crashes, truck crashes, and motorcycle crashes.
The first 30 days
This time is for your family. If you can, keep a folder for papers as they arrive: the death certificate, police or incident reports, hospital bills, and funeral receipts. If an insurance adjuster calls, you can politely say you’re not ready to talk and give them our number.
Please don’t sign anything an insurer sends without having it reviewed. Some early offers include a release that ends the family’s claim for good.
Who can bring the claim
Washington lets one person, the personal representative of the estate, bring the case for the family (RCW 4.20.010). The will usually names this person. Without a will, the court appoints someone. For someone who lived in Redmond, King County Superior Court is the usual place to open the estate (RCW 11.96A.050).
| Family member | Shares in the recovery |
|---|---|
| Spouse or registered domestic partner | Yes |
| Children and stepchildren | Yes |
| Parents and siblings | Only if there’s no spouse, partner, or child |
Parents can have a claim when a child dies. For a minor child, the parent must have helped support the child. For an adult child, the parent must have been closely involved in their life (RCW 4.24.010).
The first 90 days
Once the estate is open, we begin the investigation. We collect reports and records, request video, find witnesses, and, in a crash case, may bring in a reconstruction expert. We also start documenting your loved one’s life: work, income, role at home, and what they meant to the family.
What the claim can include
- For the family: lost income and support, lost household help, lost love and companionship, and funeral and burial costs (RCW 4.20.020).
- For the estate: medical bills, wages lost before death, and the suffering your loved one endured (RCW 4.20.046, RCW 4.20.060).
Both parts are usually handled together, in one case.
The year ahead
With the facts gathered, the claim goes to the insurance companies. Some cases resolve within a year. Others take longer, especially if a lawsuit is needed or several companies share responsibility. If the children are minors, a court will usually review a settlement to protect their share. We’ll keep you informed at every step and explain every offer.
If a Redmond case goes to court, it’s filed in King County Superior Court. The court’s local rule assigns an injury case to the area where the injury happened, and everything in King County north of I-90 falls in the Seattle case area (LCR 82). So Redmond cases are usually handled at the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle.
Deadlines to know
| Situation | Time limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Most wrongful death cases | 3 years from the death | RCW 4.16.080, Deggs (2016) |
| A city, county, or transit agency is involved | File a claim form, then wait 60 days before suing | RCW 4.96.020 |
| A federal vehicle or employee is involved | Written claim to the agency within 2 years | 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b) |
Claims against a government have their own process. The City of Redmond’s Claims Division takes claims online or by mail. King County handles claims for county property and Metro buses through its Office of Risk Management Services, and Sound Transit takes light rail claims online, by email, or by mail. State law requires a 60-day wait after filing before a lawsuit (RCW 4.96.020).
You don’t need to track these deadlines alone. One call tells you which apply to your family.
Deaths at work
A death on the job usually brings L&I survivor benefits. That isn’t always the only source of help. When an outside company or driver caused the death, Washington lets the family pursue that party separately (RCW 51.24.030). Because L&I has a stake in that recovery, the two claims should be coordinated from the start.
Bills that can’t wait
Funeral homes and hospitals often send bills long before a case resolves. Keep every invoice and receipt, because funeral, burial, and final medical costs are part of the claim. If the death followed a car crash, auto coverage may help with some of these costs early. We’ll check every policy that might apply.
When criminal charges are involved
Sometimes the person who caused the death faces criminal charges. The family’s civil case still moves on its own track. It doesn’t depend on a conviction, and the standard of proof is lower. Records from the criminal case can help, so we follow it closely and keep you informed.
Why families call Rich Martin
- Experience: 28 years of injury and wrongful death work.
- Personal attention: Rich handles the case himself.
- Nearby: an office about 8 miles from Redmond.
- No pressure, no upfront cost: no fee unless money is recovered.
Meeting with us
Redmond is practically next door. Our office is at 11811 NE 1st Street, Suite 303, in Bellevue. That’s about 8 miles from Redmond city hall, or around 14 minutes without traffic. Stop by when it suits you, or handle the case mostly by phone and email.
Serious injuries from Redmond are often treated at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland or Overlake in Bellevue, both Level III trauma centers. The most critical patients go to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, the region’s Level I center (state Department of Health).
Talk to a Redmond wrongful death lawyer
Reach Rich at (425) 635-2000 or through our contact page whenever your family is ready. Helpful reading: who can file a wrongful death lawsuit, finding a wrongful death attorney, and our Bellevue wrongful death page.
Wrongful Death: results for our clients
Past results don't guarantee future results. Every case is different. See all results →
Your attorney: Rich Martin
28 years. More than 2,000 injury cases. More than 30 jury trials. When you call, you talk to Rich, and he handles your case himself.
About Rich Martin →Questions about Redmond wrongful death
What does No Win, No Fee mean?
You pay nothing up front. Our fee comes out of the money we win for you. No hourly bills. No retainer. If we don't win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
Have we missed the deadline?
Probably not. The general rule is three years from the death. Government and federal claims have earlier steps, so call early to be sure.
Do all of us have to sue separately?
No. A single case is brought by the estate's personal representative on behalf of the family (RCW 4.20.010).
Which court opens the estate for a Redmond resident?
Usually King County Superior Court, because estates are opened where the person lived (RCW 11.96A.050).
Can we meet face to face?
Of course. The Bellevue office is roughly 8 miles from Redmond, or we can talk by phone first.
Is there a charge for the first conversation?
No. The family owes no fee unless money is recovered.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
Related pages
Helpful articles
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Understanding Wrongful Death Under Washington Law Losing a loved one is devastating. When that loss happens because of someone else’s negligence—whether in a car…
Wrongful Death Settlement Bellevue
Wrongful Death Settlement in Washington: What Families in Bellevue Need to Know Losing a loved one is devastating. When that loss happens because of…
Bellevue Wrongful Death Payouts
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Payouts in Washington State: What Families in Bellevue Need to Know Losing a loved one unexpectedly is devastating. When that loss…