Juneau Wrongful Death Lawyers

Serving Juneau and Southeast Alaska · Free consultation · Contingency fee — no fee unless we recover

Reviewed by Mark Choate, J.D. · Last updated July 2026

Quick answer

Choate Law Firm is Juneau's home-grown wrongful death trial firm — based at 424 North Franklin Street since 1980, representing families in Juneau and across Southeast Alaska who have lost a loved one to someone else's negligence. Under Alaska law, a wrongful death claim is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person's estate (AS 09.55.580), generally within two years of the date of death. Damages compensate the surviving spouse, children, and dependents for lost financial support, lost companionship, and funeral costs. Juneau wrongful death cases are filed in the First Judicial District at the Juneau (Dimond) Courthouse, and because many Southeast Alaska deaths involve fishing vessels, ferries, or cruise excursions, some claims fall under federal maritime law — the Jones Act or the Death on the High Seas Act — instead of state law. Founder Mark Choate has tried hundreds of cases to Alaska juries. The consultation is free, and we are paid only if we recover for your family. Call (907) 586-4490.

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Alaska?

The personal representative of the estate files the claim — not the family members directly — under AS 09.55.580. The personal representative is usually named in the will, or appointed by the court if there is none. Any recovery is held for the surviving spouse, children, and dependents. We help Juneau families get a personal representative appointed quickly so the claim can move forward.

How long do we have to file?

Two years from the date of death (AS 09.55.580) — and the deadline is strict. Evidence in Southeast Alaska cases degrades quickly: vessels leave port, seasonal witnesses leave town, and records get purged. A missed deadline usually ends the claim permanently. See our Alaska statute of limitations guide.

What compensation can Juneau families recover?

Alaska law allows recovery of financial and non-financial losses, awarded on what is "fair and just" for the survivors. That typically includes:

Loss of the financial support your loved one would have provided
Loss of companionship, guidance, and household help
Medical bills between the injury and the death
Funeral and burial expenses

According to AS 09.17.010, non-economic damages are generally capped at the greater of $400,000 or $8,000 per year of the deceased's remaining life expectancy. Punitive damages (AS 09.17.020) may be available for outrageous or reckless conduct, and Alaska's pure comparative fault rule (AS 09.17.060) reduces — but does not eliminate — recovery if your loved one was partly at fault.

Where Juneau wrongful death cases are handled

Cases arising in Juneau are filed in Alaska's First Judicial District at the Juneau (Dimond) Courthouse on Fourth Street, across from the State Capitol. Fatally injured patients are typically first treated at Bartlett Regional Hospital, the city's only hospital — a Level IV trauma center that stabilizes and transfers the most serious cases, which makes early preservation of medical records especially important in a death case.

Maritime deaths: a Juneau-specific issue

When a death happens on a fishing vessel, a ferry, a cruise excursion, or otherwise on the water, federal law may control instead of Alaska's wrongful death statute. The Jones Act covers crew members; the Death on the High Seas Act can govern deaths beyond three nautical miles; and cruise tickets often contain forum and notice clauses that shorten deadlines. Southeast Alaska sees these cases constantly — Juneau hosts roughly 1.67 million cruise passengers a year and a large commercial fishing fleet. Choosing the right legal framework early can determine the outcome. See our maritime & Jones Act page and commercial fishing injuries page.

What does a wrongful death lawyer cost?

Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee — we are paid a percentage only if we recover for your family, and we advance the case costs. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.

How to choose a wrongful death lawyer in Juneau

A firm that actually lives here — First Judicial District courtrooms, Southeast juries, island logistics.
Jury trial experience — insurers pay more when the firm can credibly try the case.
Maritime capability — many Southeast deaths involve federal maritime law, not just state law.
Direct access to the attorneys handling your case.
A clear contingency fee — no recovery, no fee.

Why Choate Law Firm

Choate Law Firm has called Juneau home since 1980 — one of the very few plaintiff injury firms headquartered in Southeast Alaska. Founder Mark Choate (J.D., Seattle University School of Law, 1980; graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College) has tried hundreds of cases to Alaska juries. Partner Jon Choate (J.D., Harvard Law School, 2010; former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney) adds deep trial experience. Call (907) 586-4490.

Frequently asked questions

Who receives the money in an Alaska wrongful death case? The surviving spouse, children, and dependents, through the estate's personal representative (AS 09.55.580).

How long do we have to file? Generally two years from the date of death (AS 09.55.580). Maritime and cruise-related deaths can have different — sometimes shorter — deadlines.

My family member died on a fishing boat — is that different? Often yes. Crew deaths are usually governed by the Jones Act and general maritime law rather than Alaska's wrongful death statute. The framework affects who can recover and what damages are available.

What if my loved one was partly at fault? Recovery is reduced by their share of fault, not barred (AS 09.17.060).

Do we have to come to your office? No. We meet by phone, video, or in person at 424 North Franklin Street in downtown Juneau.

Sources

AS 09.55.580 (wrongful death): <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//law.justia.com/codes/alaska/title-9/chapter-09-55/article-05/section-09-55-580/>
AS 09.17.010 (damages caps): <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//law.justia.com/codes/alaska/title-9/chapter-09-17/section-09-17-010/>
AS 09.17.060 (comparative fault): <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//law.justia.com/codes/alaska/title-9/chapter-09-17/section-09-17-060/>
Alaska Court System — First Judicial District / Juneau Courthouse: <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/index.htm>
City & Borough of Juneau — cruise impacts report (2023): <https: data-preserve-html-node="true"//juneau.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Juneau-Cruise-Impacts-Report-REV-7.26.24.pdf>

Disclaimer

This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its specific facts, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorneys at Choate Law Firm LLC are licensed in Alaska, California, Hawaii, New York, and Washington (specific jurisdiction varies by attorney).