The beneficiaries differ depending on whether the victim was an adult or a child. Adult victims When an adult dies, the beneficiaries, according to RCW 4.20.010 and RCW 4.20.020, are: The spouse A registered domestic partner A child or children, including stepchildren If the decedent wasn’t married, didn’t have a domestic partner, and didn’t have children, then the beneficiaries are the parents or siblings of the deceased accident victim. A minor child RCW 4.24.010 provides that: “A parent or legal guardian who has regularly contributed to the support of his or her minor child, and a parent or legal guardian who has had significant involvement in the life of an adult child, may maintain or join as a party an action as plaintiff for the injury or death of the child.”