Nothing about this is easy. If you lost someone because a driver, a company, or a property owner was careless, you may be grieving and worried about money at the same time. As a Tacoma wrongful death lawyer, Rich Martin carries the legal work for grieving families, quietly and at their pace. Our Tacoma office is close by, and talking with us costs nothing.
Tacoma: local facts
- County
- Pierce County
- Court
- Pierce County Superior Court, County-City Building, 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma
- Major roads
- I-5, SR 16, SR 509, Pacific Avenue, South 38th Street
- Hospitals
- Tacoma General Hospital and St. Joseph Medical Center
- Population
- 231,000 (Washington OFM estimate, April 1, 2026)
- Our office
- Our Tacoma office is about 8 miles away (about 13 minutes without traffic).
Help for Tacoma families
A claim can’t bring your loved one back. What it can do is hold the responsible party to account and give your family some financial security. We take on the paperwork, the insurers, and the deadlines, so you have room to grieve.
- We move at your pace. You decide when you’re ready to talk.
- We explain each step in plain words.
- We handle the insurance companies so they don’t call you.
- No Win, No Fee. The family pays nothing unless we recover money.
Traffic deaths in Tacoma
Tacoma’s first Vision Zero report counted 56 people killed on Tacoma streets in the two years from September 2022 to September 2024. Across Pierce County, deaths of people walking or rolling rose from 16 in 2022 to 30 in 2024, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (2024 is preliminary).
Behind each number is a family. If yours is one of them, you have rights under Washington law.
Who can bring a wrongful death claim
Washington doesn’t let just any relative sue. One person, the estate’s personal representative, brings the case for everyone (RCW 4.20.010). A will usually names that person. Without a will, a judge picks one, often a spouse or grown child. Any money recovered is then shared by the relatives listed in the statute (RCW 4.20.020).
| Family member | Shares in the recovery? |
|---|---|
| Husband, wife, or state-registered domestic partner | Yes |
| Children and stepchildren | Yes |
| Mother, father, brothers, and sisters | Only when there is no spouse, partner, or child |
If your loved one lived in Pierce County, the estate is usually opened in Pierce County Superior Court, because that’s the county where they lived (RCW 11.96A.050). We can help the family through that step.
What the family can recover
| Part of the case | Whose loss | Examples | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death claim | The surviving family | Lost paychecks and household help, lost love and guidance, burial costs | RCW 4.20.020 |
| Estate (survival) claim | The person who died | Hospital bills, wages lost before death, the suffering they went through | RCW 4.20.046, RCW 4.20.060 |
Most families have both claims. They’re usually handled together, in one case.
Deaths from crashes and falls in Tacoma
Many wrongful death cases begin with a crash: a driver who ran a light, a truck that couldn’t stop, a person on foot who was hit in a crosswalk. Some begin with a dangerous property. Each type has its own evidence and its own insurance. Learn more about Tacoma car crashes, truck crashes, and pedestrian crashes.
If the person who caused the death was charged with a crime, the family’s civil case is separate. It can move forward whether or not there’s a conviction, and it uses a lower standard of proof.
The time limit
The usual limit is three years, counted from the date of death (RCW 4.16.080). The Washington Supreme Court said so in Deggs v. Asbestos Corp. (2016). Some cases have earlier steps:
- City of Tacoma, Pierce County, or Pierce Transit: a claim form first, then a 60-day wait (RCW 4.96.020).
- A federal vehicle or worker, such as from Joint Base Lewis-McChord: a written claim to the agency within two years (28 U.S.C. § 2401(b)).
You don’t need to have everything figured out to call. We’ll tell you which deadlines apply to your family.
The first weeks after a loss
- Take care of your family first. The legal steps can wait a little.
- Keep papers together: the death certificate, police report, medical bills, and funeral receipts.
- Let us read any insurance paper before anyone in the family signs.
- Save photos, messages, and records that show your loved one’s life and work.
- Call us when you’re ready. We’ll explain what comes next.
Insurance companies after a death
Expect a call from an adjuster soon after the funeral, sometimes sooner. The voice may be warm, but the goal is to close the file cheaply. A fast check often comes with a release form, and signing it can end the family’s case forever. Give the adjuster our number instead.
When a death happened at work
Tacoma has a busy port, warehouses, and job sites. When a worker dies on the job, the family may receive survivor benefits through L&I. If someone outside the employer caused the death, like a trucking company or a contractor, the family may also have a claim against them (RCW 51.24.030). The two claims affect each other, so it’s important to plan them together.
When a child has died
There is no loss harder than this. Washington law lets a parent who supported a minor child, or who was closely involved in an adult child’s life, bring a claim for the child’s death (RCW 4.24.010). We handle these cases with great care and never rush a family.
Our process, step by step
- A first conversation. You tell us about your loved one. We answer questions.
- We help set up the estate and the personal representative.
- We investigate: reports, video, records, and witnesses.
- We add up the losses, often with an economist.
- We negotiate, and file suit if the insurer won’t be fair.
Where the case would be filed
Most cases settle without a lawsuit. If yours doesn’t, a case from an injury in Tacoma can be filed in Pierce County, where it happened (RCW 4.12.020). Pierce County Superior Court is in the County-City Building at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, in downtown Tacoma.
Keeping your loved one’s story at the center
A wrongful death case is about a person, not a file. We’ll ask about your loved one’s work, family life, and plans. Photos, letters, and stories from friends help show who they were and what the family lost. You decide what to share and when.
Funeral costs right now
The funeral home will want payment long before any settlement. Save each bill and receipt, since the family can recover them. If the death followed a car crash, PIP coverage on a car policy may help with funeral costs. We’ll check every policy for you.
Meet with us in Tacoma
Our Tacoma office is at 10116 36th Ave Ct SW, #206, Tacoma, WA 98499. The office line is (425) 449-1005. Call ahead and we’ll set a time to meet. If it’s hard for you to get out, we can start by phone.
Why Tacoma families choose Rich Martin
- Experience. 28 years and more than 2,000 injury cases.
- Patience. We never push a family to decide before they’re ready.
- A local office in Tacoma.
- Rich handles your case himself.
Read who can file a wrongful death lawsuit and average wrongful death settlements in Washington. You can also learn about Rich or see our Seattle wrongful death lawyer page.
Talk to a Tacoma wrongful death lawyer
When you’re ready, call (425) 635-2000 or send us a message. We’ll listen first.
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 Tacoma 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.
Can any family member sue for a wrongful death?
No. The estate's personal representative brings one case for the family (RCW 4.20.010). A spouse or partner and children share first; parents and siblings share only if there are none (RCW 4.20.020).
Where is the estate opened if my loved one lived in Tacoma?
Usually in Pierce County Superior Court, the county where they lived (RCW 11.96A.050). We can help with that step.
Is there a deadline for a wrongful death case?
Three years from the death in most cases. If the city, the county, Pierce Transit, or a federal agency is involved, there are earlier steps.
What if a military vehicle caused the death?
A written claim must go to the federal agency within two years, before any lawsuit. Call us early.
Should we talk to the insurance company?
Not before you talk to us. Some early offers include a release that ends the family's claim.
Does it cost anything to talk to you?
No. And there's no fee unless we recover money for the family.
Can we meet in Tacoma?
Yes. Our Tacoma office is at 10116 36th Ave Ct SW, #206, Tacoma, WA 98499. Call (425) 449-1005 to set a time, or we can start by phone.
Talk to a lawyer today. The call is free. Call (425) 635-2000.
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