Families are the foundation of our society and often, our lives—and nothing rocks that foundation quite like the loss of a beloved family member. Learning that your loved one’s untimely death resulted from another person or company’s negligence can leave you not just grieving but eager to get justice for the deceased, accountability from the at-fault party, and financial compensation for yourself and your family.
However, while you might be entitled to file a Texas wrongful death lawsuit, these cases can be complex, challenging, and highly emotional. You need a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney who isn’t afraid to defend their clients’ best interests. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place.
Skilled and Steadfast Legal Counsel for Texas Wrongful Death Litigation
Terry & Thweatt, P.C. provides adept representation for the families of people killed because of an individual or business' negligent actions or inaction. Our long-time Houston trial lawyers, Joe Terry and Lee Thweatt, are respectful but relentless at the negotiating table and in the courtroom, but always patient, empathetic, and understanding with you and your family behind the scenes. When the loss of a loved one brings the world crashing down around you, we fight tirelessly to recover compensation that alleviates your financial concerns and allows you to begin rebuilding your life.
Wrongful Death Cases Our Houston Attorneys Handle
Our skilled personal injury attorneys aggressively advocate for plaintiffs in wide-ranging wrongful death cases, including those involving:
- Car accidents
- 18-wheeler crashes
- Drunk driving
- Oilfield accidents
- Refinery explosions
- Jones Act or maritime incidents
- Severe burns
- Aviation incidents
- Railroad accidents
- Pedestrian or bicycle crashes
- Dangerous products
We’re determined to outwork the opposition in every case. Our lawyers help clients go up against powerful insurance companies—and win.
Wrongful Death Basics: What You Should Know Before Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in the Lone Star State
Like any kind of litigation, wrongful death lawsuits have specific rules and procedures you must follow. Here are a few key things to know about these cases.
Who Can File a Texas Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Not everyone is eligible to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. Texas state law reserves that right for the victim’s surviving spouse, children, and parents. A personal representative (sometimes called the executor or administrator) of the deceased person’s estate can also file a wrongful death claim if the previously listed family members fail to do so within three months—unless those individuals specifically ask the representative not to take legal action.
How Long You Have to File a Claim
In Texas, the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases is two years: this means you have just two years from the date your loved one died to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, known as the statute of limitations, you lose the right to pursue a legal remedy and the court will automatically dismiss your case. Nevertheless, contact our Houston wrongful death attorneys as soon as possible to ensure the preservation of vital evidence.
What You Must Prove and What You Might Recover
Obtaining an optimal outcome in a wrongful death case hinges on the plaintiff’s ability to prove the following points:
- The defendant owed the deceased person a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty
- The breach led to the accident and injuries that caused the victim’s death
- The death resulted in the plaintiff’s losses
Damages awarded in a Texas wrongful death case are intended to compensate the victim’s surviving family members for financial and emotional losses incurred because of their loved one’s death. Depending on the facts and evidence uncovered during our investigation, a recovery might compensate your family for:
- Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of your loved one’s income and other financial support
- Loss of household services and support
- Emotional and mental anguish
- Loss of your family member’s love, guidance, care, or support
- Loss of consortium with a spouse
- And other losses
We’ll Fight for Your Family
Let Terry & Thweatt, P.C. handle your Texas wrongful death case from start to finish so you and your family can focus on healing. Contact us online or call 713-600-4710 to request a consultation with our Houston trial attorneys.