The grief of losing a loved one is only compounded when their death was wrongful. If you lost someone due to another’s negligence in Austin, Thompson Law can help. With over 15 years of experience, our wrongful death lawyers fight for the families of wrongful death victims across Texas. Contact us today for a free case review.
When a loved one dies tragically because of someone else’s negligence, you need an attorney with experience, skill and compassion on your side. At Thompson Law in Austin, our dedicated wrongful death lawyers have decades of combined experience helping families in Austin and throughout Texas.
Our injury lawyers approach each case with a focus on compassion for our clients while aggressively pursuing maximum compensation in their cases. We are trial lawyers, and we are not afraid to take on big companies and other powerful defendants when necessary to get justice for our clients. If you lost a loved one in a wrongful death in the Austin area, let our qualified wrongful death lawyers review your case today.
In Texas, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a result of the negligent, reckless or intentional actions of another person or entity. The most common causes are:
Under Texas law, certain surviving family members can bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party both for their own damages as well as damages that the deceased would have been entitled to recover. An experienced Austin wrongful death lawyer can advise you if you have a valid wrongful death claim.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in 2021 there were 3,896 fatalities from motor vehicle traffic crashes in Texas. This translates to approximately 13 motor vehicle accident deaths per day.
TxDOT data shows that the leading causes of fatal traffic crashes in Texas are:
In addition to auto accidents, other common causes of preventable deaths in Texas include (Texas Department of Insurance):
Workplace accidents – 454 fatal occupational injuries
Medical negligence – up to 300,000 injuries/deaths per year
A skilled Austin wrongful death lawyer can determine if a wrongful death was caused by someone’s negligence or misconduct.
The experienced wrongful death attorneys at Thompson Law provide compassionate legal guidance and representation to families who lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence in Austin and across Texas. Here is how we can help:
Our goal in every wrongful death case is to ease the burden on grieving families while pursuing the maximum compensation they deserve. Contact our skilled wrongful death lawyers in Austin for a free consultation today.
Under the Texas Wrongful Death Act, the following people may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim:
The law establishes a priority order for recovery by these potential plaintiffs. If the deceased was married, the spouse typically has first priority. Otherwise, adult children typically have priority. An experienced Texas wrongful death lawyer can advise you on your rights and eligibility to bring a claim after a tragic loss.
In a Texas wrongful death lawsuit, there are two categories of damages that may be sought against the liable parties:
Survival Damages – These are damages the deceased could have recovered for injuries and losses they sustained before death, such as:
Wrongful Death Damages – These damages are for losses that family members directly suffered from the death, such as:
An accomplished Austin wrongful death attorney will thoroughly calculate all damage elements to pursue full financial recovery for the family.
Survival damages are one of the key elements our wrongful death lawyers can help you recover after losing a loved one. These damages represent the “survival” after death of causes of action the deceased would have been able to bring for their injuries.
Survival damages can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses sustained by the deceased between the time of the negligence that caused their death and the time of death. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can pursue these damages against liable parties in a Texas wrongful death case.
At Thompson Law, we approach every wrongful death case with compassion and unwavering commitment to seeking justice for grieving families. Some of the Law Firm Honors:
Ryan leads an exceptional team of trial lawyers with the skill and experience to stand up to big companies and powerful defendants. We have taken cases representing victims of trucking accidents, automobile accidents, premises liability accidents, on the job accidents, and many other personal injury related claims across Texas and the entire United States. Our ability to try cases and willingness to go to court when necessary gives us leverage in negotiating fair settlements for families. Let us put our experience to work fighting for you after your tragic loss.
Thompson Law has handled numerous complex wrongful death cases over our 15+ year history, recovering substantial compensation for grieving families. Here are some examples of our wrongful death case results:
These are just a few examples of the results we have achieved through aggressive litigation when at-fault parties refuse reasonable settlement offers. To learn more about our wrongful death case experience, visit our website. Then contact us to discuss your potential case at no charge.
Losing a loved one is hard enough without having to fight on your own for compensation. The wrongful death attorneys at Thompson Law are here to shoulder that burden for you. We offer free, no obligation case evaluations to anyone who lost a family member due to another party’s negligence in Austin or anywhere in Texas. Call us at (844) 308-8180 or contact us online today to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION. We are available 24/7 to take your call, and we never charge a fee unless we obtain compensation for you.
Losing a loved one under tragic circumstances leaves you with many questions about your legal rights and options. Here are answers to some of the questions we commonly hear from wrongful death clients:
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Texas?
You generally have 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. An attorney can advise you on deadlines.
Will filing a wrongful death claim impact my family member’s estate?
No, a wrongful death claim is separate and does not affect probate of the estate.
What if the at-fault party who caused my loved one’s death does not have insurance?
We can pursue other avenues of recovery, including suing their employer or seeking damages from your own underinsured motorist coverage.
Who pays for funeral expenses in a wrongful death case?
Funeral costs can typically be recovered as part of the survival damages in a case. We can also help arrange insurance advances.
How long do wrongful death cases take to resolve?
Most settle within 1-2 years, but complex cases can take longer. There are no guarantees on timing.
Contact our experienced Austin wrongful death attorneys today to get answers to your specific questions.
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one due to an accident, defective product, medical mistake or violent crime in the Austin area, we are here to help. Thompson Law offers compassionate guidance and dedicated legal representation to families harmed by wrongful death. Contact us today to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with our skilled wrongful death attorneys in Austin.
Knowing the applicable statutes of limitations, understanding the elements of negligence and proximate cause, and gathering evidence to establish liability are all crucial factors that can influence the outcome of a wrongful death case.
Wrongful death cases can be highly emotional and complex, making it crucial to determine who is at fault. In these cases, liability is determined by analyzing the evidence to identify who acted negligently or intentionally caused the death. This often involves investigating the circumstances leading up to the incident, such as whether the victim was in a safe environment and whether there were any contributing factors to the death. Additionally, insurance policies and state laws may also come into play when determining fault. It’s important to have a skilled attorney who can guide you through the legal process and help you receive the compensation you deserve. While nothing can bring back a loved one, accountability can bring some closure and justice for the family.
The loss of a loved one can be a devastating experience, especially when the death was caused by another person’s negligence or intentional harm. In such situations, the surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible individual or entity. The process for filing a wrongful death lawsuit typically involves gathering evidence, hiring an attorney, filing the complaint, and going through the discovery process which involves exchanging information and evidence with the opposing party. The case may then proceed to trial or settle outside of court. It is important to remember that each state has its own laws and procedures for filing a wrongful death lawsuit, so it’s recommended to consult with an experienced attorney to help guide you through the process.
While many wrongful death cases settle out of court, anyone filing a lawsuit should prepare for the possibility of having to go to trial. A skilled wrongful death attorney can litigate on your behalf to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family.
In Texas, damages for wrongful death can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of possible inheritance, pain and suffering, and loss of society, companionship, support, and care. In some instances, punitive damages might be sought. These are damages intended to punish the guilty party and deter other parties from engaging in the same conduct.
Each state has its own unique wrongful death laws regarding who can bring a claim and how settlements are to be distributed. Here is a guide to wrongful death claims for every state in the US.
In Texas, the surviving spouse, children, or parents can file a wrongful death claim. If no family members file, an executor of the deceased person’s estate may file. Here is a complete guide to wrongful death claims in Texas.
Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.