Armantrout v. Carlson

¶1 — This case involves a wrongful death suit by the parents of an adult child against her medical care provider. We are asked to decide if the provision of services that have an economic value may be considered by the trier of fact when determining whether a parent was “dependent for support” on an adult child as required by RCW 4.20.020 to maintain an action for wrongful death. We now hold that the trier of fact may consider a parent’s financial dependence on these services.

FACTS

¶2 At the time of her death, Kristen Armantrout was 18 and living at home with her mother. She died of a…