Losing a family member is tragic. You’re unsure how you and your loved ones will stay on top of your daily expenses in the aftermath of your devastating loss.
If someone else is liable for your family member’s death, you may pursue compensation from them. Meet with a wrongful death lawyer in Round Rock to find out if this is an option for you.
The Texas Law Dog, founded in 2018, gives you access to empathetic and compassionate wrongful death attorneys with years of relevant case experience. As you and your family debate whether to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit, we’re here to help you in any way possible. For more information, consult with a personal injury lawyer in Round Rock.
Reasons to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Round Rock
The past is the past, and sadly, there’s no changing the fact that your loved one is gone. You and your loved ones should give yourselves ample time to grieve. If you want to learn more about filing a wrongful death claim, legal help is available.
Your wrongful death attorney in Round Rock can explain how a claim can benefit you and your loved ones financially. If your claim is successful, you may get money from anyone at fault for your family member’s death. Your claim may also lead this party to learn from their mistakes and to avoid careless or reckless acts that could harm others moving forward.
At The Texas Law Dog, we want you to make informed legal decisions. Our team can share FAQs and other resources with you. If you decide that you’re ready to submit a wrongful death claim, we can guide you through your case proceedings. To get started, request a free case review.
Time Frame for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
Based on Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date someone passes to file a wrongful death claim. If this two-year window closes, you may be ineligible to seek compensatory damages from anyone at fault for your loved one’s death.
Per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71, certain parties are eligible to submit a wrongful death claim. Typically, the surviving spouse, child, or parent of a deceased person (decedent) can request compensation from an at-fault party relating to their family member’s death. Outside of these parties, an executor of a decedent’s estate can submit a claim.
Your Round Rock wrongful death lawyer can determine if you’re eligible to submit a claim and, if so, what the process for doing so entails.
They will handle your wrongful death claim with care. If a liable party’s insurance company offers a settlement, your lawyer will let you know, and you can assess the proposal with them.
Round Rock Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Compensation Available to You in a Wrongful Death Case
In your wrongful death case, you can receive compensatory damages for quantifiable and subjective losses from the loss of your family member. Your attorney can calculate your damages. They may encourage you to ask for economic and non-economic damages for several reasons, including:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Burial and funeral expenses
Unfortunately, an at-fault party’s insurance company may dispute your wrongful death claim. This business may contest the value of your case and offer a lowball settlement.
No matter what happens, your lawyer remains on your side. If you don’t get a fair settlement offer, your lawyer may advise you to proceed with a lawsuit in which you present your case in court.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Wrongful Death
One or more parties can be at fault for a wrongful death. Your lawyer considers the specifics of your case to identify any responsible parties. They may look at surveillance or traffic camera footage of your loved one’s fatal accident, interview witnesses who saw this incident, and take other measures to investigate.
Your attorney may find that any of these parties is liable:
- Car or truck driver
- Business operator
- Property owner
- Government entity
Evidence plays a significant role in the outcome of a wrongful death case. Your lawyer may utilize accident scene photos and videos, witness statements, a police report, and other evidence to bolster their argument. If your attorney has a large collection of evidence, they are well-equipped to prove that a liable party was negligent.
The Role of Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case
Along with giving you information about the role of a jury in a wrongful death case, your attorney can discuss negligence in depth. Ultimately, it’s not enough for you to say that someone is to blame for your loved one’s death and should have to compensate you accordingly. Your lawyer works hard to argue that this party was negligent to compel a judge or jury to award damages.
To prove negligence, your attorney may highlight how an at-fault party violated their duty of care, which is a legal obligation to avoid careless and reckless acts. For example, a motorist is speeding and causes a fatal accident. This motorist was legally required to drive within the posted speed limit. Since they didn’t, they violated their duty of care to others.
In addition, your lawyer may use pay stubs and medical bills to show a judge or jury how your loved one’s death is impacting your family’s finances.
They want the court to see that your loved one was in no way to blame for their death as well. If your lawyer’s argument resonates in court, an at-fault party may struggle to disprove your case, and you may get a favorable ruling.
Receive Support with Your Case from a Round Rock Wrongful Death Lawyer
At The Texas Law Dog, we know how challenging it is to lose a loved one. After a wrongful death, we encourage you to exercise your right to take legal action against any liable parties.
Give us the opportunity to help you with your wrongful death case. Speak with a Round Rock wrongful death attorney.
