A Wrongful Death claim is brought by the Personal Representative of the estate of the person who has died. Usually the next of kin will apply and be appointed by the court as the Personal Representative. The Personal Representative will bring the claim on behalf of the deceased's estate and on behalf of the "statutory beneficiaries" identified in state statutes.
Typically the "statutory beneficiaries" will include the spouse and any children (including adult children) of the deceased. Under Oregon law, parents of a deceased child (including an adult child) will constitute statutory beneficiaries. In Washington only parents of minor children will have a claim. Dependents of the deceased, even if not within one of the categories stated above, may also have a claim.