An accident resulting in wrongful death is one of the most difficult ways to lose a loved one. When a death was both unexpected and preventable, the emotional suffering inflicted on surviving family members is impossible to describe. As wrongful death lawyers advocating for victims of injustice in Houston, we have worked with individuals and families through terrible tragedies that never should have happened.
At The Mejia Law Firm, we practice wrongful death law because it allows us to take even a small part in helping people when they need it the most. If your family has suffered a wrongful death and you’re not sure what legal steps can be taken, talk to us. We can schedule a meeting to explain your legal options and how to move forward with a wrongful death claim.
How Does Wrongful Death Happen?
Wrongful death is a preventable death that was caused by the wrongful actions or negligence of another party. If the victim had survived the accident and suffered injuries, they would have been able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. Because they lost their life, a family member may be able to take legal action on their behalf.
Under Texas law, a wrongful death claim may be brought if negligence led to the accident that caused death. Spouses, children, and parents are allowed by Texas law to bring forward a wrongful death claim and recover damages. One or more of these relatives may take legal action on behalf of the other family members. If none of the individuals entitled to bring an action do so within three months after the death, an estate executor or administrator can bring the action unless requested not to by the family.
It’s important to speak with a wrongful death attorney if your family is considering filing a wrongful death claim. There are numerous, specific guidelines and deadlines for the process of filing. A wrongful death claim is an important step in the process of recovery for surviving family members. You should know that the legal procedures are being handled skillfully and with deep personal concern for the outcome of your case. When your family unexpectedly loses a loved one to someone else’s negligence, you should never be forced to bear the financial burden of their mistake as you grieve. Wrongful death law works to prevent this from happening.
Any form of negligence or willful wrongdoing can result in wrongful death. Some of the most common types of accidents resulting in wrongful death include:
- Car accidents
- Accidents involving large commercial trucks
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace injuries
- Construction site accidents
- Defective products
- Industrial machinery accidents
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dangerous premises
- Drowning accidents
- Pharmaceutical negligence
Seeking Compensation After Wrongful Death
The costs incurred after an accident leading to wrongful death can be extremely steep. Very few families are prepared to handle this enormous and unexpected financial responsibility. When someone is negligent and causes a death, the deceased’s family should never have to pay the monetary costs, in addition to their emotional suffering. At The Mejia Law Firm, we have helped families recover necessary compensation. While never a replacement for what they lost, this allows families to grieve without worrying how to pay the expenses they should never have had to pay in the first place.
The damages recoverable after a wrongful death may include:
- Medical and hospital expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of the income that supported the family
- Loss of future income and benefits
- Estate administration expenses
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and guidance
- Loss of companionship
- Punitive damages (in some cases of gross negligence)
The Mejia Law Firm Wins Justice for Victims’ Families
Wrongful death law is important to our society because it holds negligent parties accountable for injurious actions. When a drunk driver kills someone, a careless doctor makes a mistake while on a phone call, or a truck driver falls asleep after taking drugs behind the wheel, we stand up and speak for the lives they destroyed. Many important laws have been passed because of situations like these.
If your family is exploring legal options following the loss of a loved one, a Houston wrongful death lawyer from The Mejia Law Firm is available to provide legal guidance. If we mutually decide that our firm is the best suited to take your case, you can be assured that we will handle every detail with expertise and care. We always begin with a no-cost, no-obligation conversation about your situation and how we may be able to help you recover.