Texas Wrongful Death Lawyer

When a loved one is taken too soon because of a preventable crash on Houston’s I-45, a workplace incident in Dallas’s industrial district, or neglect in an Austin nursing facility, nothing feels right. As dedicated Texas wrongful death lawyers, we understand the grief and confusion you face. 

You deserve more than empty words—you need strong advocacy to hold negligent parties accountable. At DFW Injury Lawyers, we stand with families across Texas to seek justice and financial security after a devastating loss. Contact us now for a free consultation and let us shoulder this burden together.

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Key Takeaways

• A wrongful death claim arises when someone’s negligence or wrongful act causes another person’s passing.
• In Texas, spouses, children, and parents may file a wrongful death suit to recover losses.
• You have a limited window—most claims must begin within two years of the loved one’s passing.

Why Choose DFW Injury Lawyers for Your Texas Wrongful Death Case

When grief and uncertainty weigh you down, you need a law firm that honors your loss with empathy and determination. At DFW Injury Lawyers, we guide families through every legal step with compassion, clear communication, and skilled representation.

Here is what makes us different:

Proven Results and Community Roots

• We have recovered millions of dollars for grieving families across Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington
• Our offices are located in the heart of Texas—close to Harris County, Tarrant County, and Travis County courts. We also help families throughout the State of Texas
• We create strong relationships with local investigators, medical experts, and life-care planners who understand Texas communities

Personalized, Compassionate Advocacy

• We treat you like family, not a case number. Our attorneys listen to your unique circumstances and tailor strategies that reflect your needs
• Regular updates keep you informed and empowered, so you never feel left in the dark
• We respect cultural traditions across Houston, Plano, and San Antonio, ensuring your family’s values guide every decision

Aggressive Representation from Day One

• We move quickly to preserve evidence, whether investigating a fatal car crash on the Tollway or documenting unsafe conditions in a nursing home
• Insurance adjusters know we prepare every case for trial, forcing them to offer fair settlements or risk a jury verdict
• Our trial-tested attorneys stand ready to fight in court when negotiations stall

No Upfront Fees—Contingency Promise

• You owe no legal fees unless we secure compensation for you. Period
• We provide a transparent breakdown of anticipated costs before signing any agreement
• You can focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities and financial stress

From the moment you contact DFW Injury Lawyers, our goal is to ease your burden. We shoulder paperwork, communicate with insurers, and build a compelling case so you can focus on supporting your family through this difficult time.

What Is a Texas Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim allows certain family members to seek compensation when negligence or wrongful conduct causes a death. Under the Texas Wrongful Death Act (Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code), eligible plaintiffs, including spouses, children, and parents, may file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. This civil action exists separately from any criminal prosecution. 

While criminal courts address guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a wrongful death suit uses the preponderance of evidence standard, meaning it’s more likely than not that negligence or wrongful acts led to the loved one’s passing. If the court agrees, you can recover financial compensation related to your loved one’s death.

Filing this claim helps cover financial and emotional losses, including medical bills incurred before death, funeral expenses, lost income the deceased would have provided, and non-economic damages like loss of companionship. A successful suit holds negligent drivers, employers, property owners, or medical providers accountable and offers families a path to financial stability during a time of upheaval.

Do I Have a Wrongful Death Case?

Losing someone you love raises many questions: Was this preventable? How will we pay the bills? Who should be held responsible? To answer these, we start by evaluating four key elements:

• Duty of Care
  Did the other party owe a legal duty to your loved one? Drivers must follow traffic laws; employers must maintain safe work sites; property owners must fix hazards they know about.
  
• Breach of Duty
  Did the responsible party fail to uphold this duty? A truck driver texting on I-45, a scaffold missing guardrails, or a nursing home ignoring residents’ needs may all qualify as breaches.
  
• Causation
  Can you link that breach directly to the death? Medical records, accident reports, and expert testimony might demonstrate how negligence led to fatal injuries.
  
• Damages
  Did the family sustain measurable losses, such as medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering? Texas law allows recovery for these financial and non-economic harms.

If these elements are present, you likely have a valid wrongful death claim. However, evidence, such as surveillance footage, skid marks, medical charts, and witness memories, can fade, disappear, or be altered. Reach out to an experienced Texas wrongful death lawyer at DFW Injury Lawyers as soon as possible to secure crucial evidence and protect your family’s rights.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Texas Wrongful Death Claim?

Several parties might share blame for a deadly accident. Identifying and naming each responsible entity ensures your family has the best chance for full recovery. Potentially liable parties may include:

• Negligent Drivers and Vehicle Owners
  When drunk or distracted motorists cause fatal freeway crashes in San Antonio or collisions involving motorcycles weaving through Houston traffic, drivers and negligent vehicle owners face liability. Commercial trucking companies may share fault if they failed to train drivers or ignored maintenance schedules.
  
• Employers and Contractors
  In workplace tragedies, both employers and negligent subcontractors may bear responsibility. Claims against employers do not bar you from pursuing third-party claims against equipment manufacturers or maintenance contractors.
  
• Property Owners and Managers
  A fatal slip on a broken stairway in an apartment complex or a violent assault in a parking garage with no security cameras can trigger a wrongful death suit against property owners, tenants, or management companies. Premises liability law requires landowners to warn of or fix known dangers.
  
• Manufacturers and Distributors
  Defective products, such as a faulty medical device or an airbag that fails, can cause life-ending injuries. Product liability law holds manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable when design or manufacturing defects cause death.
  
• Government Entities
  Sometimes public agencies oversee roadways, public buildings, or government-run facilities. Fatal collisions on Texas state highways or accidents in county-run nursing homes may involve claims against city, county, or state entities. Texas law typically requires sending a timely notice to the entity, usually within six months before filing suit against a government body.
  
• Medical Professionals and Healthcare Facilities
  When surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or delayed treatment in Houston or Dallas hospitals lead to death, doctors, nurses, and facilities may be liable under medical malpractice laws. Proving medical negligence requires expert testimony and careful review of medical records.

Our experienced wrongful death attorneys at DFW Injury Lawyers can investigate every angle, from toxicology reports to maintenance logs, to uncover each negligent actor. We leave no stone unturned so your family receives the full compensation you deserve.

What Damages Are Available in a Texas Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

When a death shatters your world, Texas law allows families to seek multiple forms of compensation, including:

• Medical Expenses Before Death
  You may recover costs for emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, and medications incurred from the moment of injury until passing.
  
• Funeral and Burial Costs
  Expenses for cremation, burial plots, caskets, and memorial services fall under economic damages.
  
• Lost Income and Lost Inheritance
  If your loved one was a primary breadwinner, you may claim the income they would have earned and the inheritance that their absence denies you.
  
• Loss of Companionship
  Non‐economic damages include the intangible value of affection, guidance, and support a spouse, child, or parent would have provided.
  
• Pain and Suffering of the Deceased
  A survival action,  which is filed on behalf of the deceased’s estate, allows recovery for pain, suffering, and mental distress experienced between the time of injury and death.
  
• Punitive Damages
  In rare cases involving extreme negligence, courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct. (Punitive caps and exceptions apply under Texas law.)

Families often find comfort knowing financial burdens like medical bills, funeral costs, and lost income need not fall entirely on them. A knowledgeable Texas wrongful death attorney ensures you understand each recoverable category and pursues maximum compensation on your behalf.

What If My Loved One Was Partly to Blame for the Accident?

Texas law follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If a factfinder determines your loved one shared fault for the incident that led to their death, any recovery will decrease by their percentage of responsibility, provided that percentage is less than 51 percent. Even when the defense argues that the victim’s actions contributed to their death, the family may still be eligible to receive compensation so long as fault is below the 51-percent threshold. 

A skilled Texas wrongful death lawyer at DFW Injury Lawyers can work diligently to shift blame from your loved one to the negligent parties through evidence and expert testimony. We gather accident reports, video surveillance, and witness statements to show how the defendant’s negligence predominated. Our goal is to minimize any assignment of fault and maximize the recovery available to your family.

What Is the Deadline for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?

Time is of the essence in wrongful death cases. Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of your loved one’s passing to file suit. Missing this deadline almost always means forfeiting your right to compensation. 

A few exceptions may extend that deadline. For example, if the identity of the at-fault party was hidden or undiscoverable, the statute of limitations may toll until the responsible party becomes known. Similarly, if an immediate family member is incapacitated, either mentally or physically, and cannot file in a timely manner, the court may grant additional time once their capacity is restored. 

Claims against government entities, such as a fatal crash on a state highway, require special notice within six months of the date of death under the Texas Tort Claims Act. A knowledgeable wrongful death attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers can help you file all notices and lawsuits within applicable deadlines.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney in Texas?

Grieving families often worry about legal fees while facing funeral expenses and lost income. At DFW Injury Lawyers, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees unless we secure a recovery. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours. We invest our time and resources in your case because we believe in your claim.

A typical contingency arrangement involves:

• Free Initial Consultation: We evaluate your case at no cost and explain your legal options clearly. There is no obligation to proceed at this point.
  
• No Upfront Fees or Expenses: We cover investigation costs, expert consultations, and filing fees. If there is no settlement or verdict, you owe us no legal fees.
  
• Transparent Fee Structure: Upon recovery, we deduct a pre-agreed percentage of the total settlement or verdict. You receive the balance after medical liens and other case-related expenses are paid.

This structure means you never pay hourly rates or retainers. Instead, you focus on supporting your family, grieving, and healing, while we handle the legal complexities. 

How an Attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers Can Help You

Navigating a wrongful death suit involves many moving parts, including gathering evidence, consulting experts, negotiating with insurers, and preparing for trial. Our team handles every detail so you can concentrate on your family’s well-being. Here’s how we support you at every stage:

Thorough Investigation - We will:

• Visit the site of the fatal accident to document the conditions.
• Collect and preserve evidence, such as accident reports, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and photographs of hazardous conditions.
• Interview eyewitnesses, co-workers, or family members to build a narrative that shows how negligence led to your loved one’s passing.

Expert Consultations and Documentation - We can:

• Retain medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, and life-care planners to quantify the nature and financial impact of your loss.
• Gather medical records, death certificates, and funeral invoices to calculate actual damages, including final treatment costs and burial expenses.
• Work with economists to project lost future income and lost inheritance, ensuring no recoverable loss is overlooked.

Strategic Negotiations - Our team will:

• Compile a detailed demand package, complete with medical bills, expert reports, and income records, to present to insurance companies and opposing counsel.
• Counter lowball offers by emphasizing the severity of negligence.
• Leverage our reputation as trial-ready advocates. Insurers know we prepare every case for courtroom presentation, which often leads to better settlement offers.

Aggressive Litigation - Our litigators will:

• File your wrongful death lawsuit within the two-year statute of limitations, managing all procedural filings, including pleadings, discovery requests, and motions, for you.
• Depose defendants, witnesses, and experts to uncover admissions of fault and challenge their credibility.
• Present compelling evidence and trusted expert testimony to jurors or a judge. Our trial-tested attorneys use visual aids, such as 3D reconstructions of accident scenes, to demonstrate clearly how negligence caused the fatality.

Compassionate Client Communication - We promise to:

• Provide regular updates on case progress, settlement negotiations, and upcoming court dates.
• Make ourselves available by phone or email to answer your questions and address your concerns—no question is too small when you’re grieving.
• Offer referrals to grief counselors, support groups, and financial advisors to help you cope with the emotional and practical challenges of loss.

Throughout the process, we treat you like family. We know there is no legal remedy that fully heals a broken heart. Still, holding negligent parties accountable provides accountability and financial stability during an unimaginably difficult time. The DFW Injury Lawyers team partners with you, ensuring you understand each step and feel empowered to make informed choices.

Contact the Trusted Texas Wrongful Death Lawyer at DFW Injury Lawyers Today

No one should bear the crushing weight of a family member’s death alone. When negligence cuts a life short, you deserve compassionate guidance and fearless advocacy.

DFW Injury Lawyers stands ready to champion your rights. Our tenacious Texas personal injury lawyers understand how to navigate complex statutes, preserve crucial evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies that aim to minimize payouts. We also prepare every case for trial, ensuring the at-fault parties and their insurers know the full extent of your family’s loss.

Take the first step toward justice today. Call 1-888-4-MUSCLE or fill out our secure online form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We serve families throughout Texas and stand ready to guide you through every legal and emotional hurdle.

Don’t let deadlines pass or evidence vanish. Let DFW Injury Lawyers carry the legal burden so you can focus on grieving and healing. Your loved one’s life mattered. Let us help you honor their memory by holding those responsible accountable.

Reach out now. Your family’s future depends on the decisions you make today.

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