The unexpected, preventable death of a loved one sends families reeling. The shock and grief are overwhelming, only to be followed by “practical” fears. A family’s financial outlook can become entirely destabilized. A Bastrop personal injury lawyer from The Texas Law Dog can help bring some calm to the chaos.
A wrongful death lawyer in Bastrop is ready to lead the fight to get justice for your loved one’s death and the many resulting losses you and your family have sustained. We have over 600 5-star Google reviews from clients who have benefited from our legal service and support. You can trust us to do right by your family.
The Sooner You Partner With a Bastrop Wrongful Death Attorney, the Better for Your Claim Outcome
The wrongful death statute of limitations for filing a claim is usually two years. Meeting this deadline protects your right to fight for justice in court if the other side refuses to make a fair settlement offer during negotiations. Though some situations allow for extensions, it’s always best to connect with an attorney right away, so you don’t risk missing the deadline.
Getting our immediate support helps in other ways as well. A sudden tragedy can raise emotions in a family. Your wrongful death attorney in Bastrop can help bring clarity and support you through potential conflicts. We can advise you on what to say and not say to others about your claim or the circumstances of your loved one’s death, preventing you from accidentally hurting your claim.
When you connect quickly, you also allow us to start investigating early. That’s when evidence is most available. Over time, important information can be lost, and witnesses may forget details. The more comprehensive and convincing the evidence, the better the chances for a favorable claim outcome.
You May Have Grounds to File Wrongful Death and Survival Actions
The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71 classifies a death as “wrongful” if it arises from an injury caused by a person, or his agent’s or servant’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.
Filing a wrongful death claim allows surviving family members to collect compensation for the losses and suffering caused by that death. Your Bastrop wrongful death lawyer can determine if you also have grounds to file a wrongful death survival action.
If your loved one did not immediately die from the injury, incurred medical costs, and endured suffering before they died, a survival action may apply. Had they lived, your loved one could have filed a personal injury claim. The survival action is a way to secure those damages and the justice your loved one deserved.
Bastrop Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Compensation Available to Surviving Family Members
The Texas Law Dog knows the potential recoverable damages after a wrongful death and will fight for the highest amount possible. Typically, family members can collect related medical costs, funeral expenses, and loss of income, along with financial acknowledgment of their suffering and loss of a relationship.
According to Chapter 33 of the Texas Code, family members can only seek damages for a wrongful death if the deceased was less than 51% responsible for the accident leading to their death. An eligible family’s compensation can then be reduced in proportion to any lower percentage of fault assigned to the deceased.
Your attorney will be prepared to challenge allegations of fault that the other side levels against your loved one. Through our investigation of the accident and death, we will compile evidence to protect your loved one from unfair blame and your compensation from unwarranted reductions.
Reaching a Resolution
Whether your claim resolves through a wrongful death trial versus settling depends on several factors, including the other side’s willingness to negotiate fairly. Your attorney will know the worth of your claim and negotiate aggressively to secure that value. Often, this approach succeeds.
If the other side will not cooperate, you do not simply have to accept their lowball offer. Our team will help you decide whether going to trial is the better option. If so, you can count on us for effective, powerful representation as we fight for the highest trial award available.
Situations That Could Prompt a Wrongful Death Claim
Almost any preventable death caused by another party’s negligence presents grounds for a wrongful death claim. Some of the more common scenarios include motor-vehicle crashes. Reckless and speeding drivers put all others on the road at risk. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, impaired driving took the lives of 1,505 victims over the past year.
Other situations leading to wrongful death claims include:
- Workplace accidents: You may be eligible for workers’ compensation death benefits, but you also have reason to file a third-party wrongful death claim.
- Defective product incidents: A product defect, malfunction, or design deficiency can cause death, and the party responsible for that fatal flaw must be called to account.
- Accidents on another person’s property: Property owners must keep their property free of known hazards and take reasonable measures to keep guests safe. Failures leading to death can leave property owners liable.
- Incidents of medical malpractice: Failure to diagnose or treat, making surgical errors, and administering medication improperly are all examples of dangerous medical mistakes that could lead to death.
- Intentional acts of violence: Your loved one could have died from a domestic violence incident or as a bystander at the scene of a crime. You can seek to hold the perpetrator liable through a wrongful death claim.
Our team is here to help, whatever the circumstances of your loved one’s untimely, unnecessary death.
We’re Ready to Fight for Your Family
The Texas Law Dog is on your side. Your family has suffered so much already. Your Bastrop wrongful death attorney is here to help you through that suffering. Reach out today for a free case review.
We will fight to maximize your compensation so that you can put aside fears of an unstable financial future. We will work to secure justice for your loved one’s death and bring you a measure of peace.
