Washington law offers very few remedies for the families of unmarried adults. And, as a result, does very little to deter negligent and reckless behavior on either an individual or corporate level.
Not only does Washington law fail to provide for punitive damages, it fails to impose any real consequences on those who--through their negligence or recklessness--cause the death of an unmarried adult. This combination of factors gives rise to the unfortunate reality that--as I have heard it expressed--it is cheaper to kill someone than to hurt them. At least in Washington.