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Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer

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Do You Need Help After the Loss of a Family Member?

At Baumgartner Law Firm, our experienced Houston wrongful death lawyers are dedicated to helping families navigate the heartbreaking aftermath of losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence.

We understand the emotional and financial devastation these tragedies cause—and we’re here to provide the compassionate support, clear answers, and aggressive legal advocacy you deserve.

Tragically, preventable deaths from accidents happen far too often in Houston and throughout Texas. If your family faces this painful journey, let us help you seek justice and accountability.

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For justice and compensation, call our Houston wrongful death attorneys. We will fight for you and honor the memory of your loved one.

Understanding Wrongful Death Claims

What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim is a legal action that allows surviving family members to seek compensation for the loss of a loved one due to the negligence or wrongful act of another person or entity. This type of claim is designed to hold the responsible party responsible for their actions and provide financial support to the family members affected by the loss. By filing a wrongful death claim, families can pursue justice and obtain the resources needed to cope with their emotional and financial burdens.

Why Choose Our Wrongful Death Lawyer at Baumgartner Law Firm?

For over 40 years, families have trusted our firm for wrongful death lawsuits. We have an undefeated record in wrongful death litigation. Our success in securing maximum compensation speaks for itself. We are committed to getting the best results for you and your family.

If you believe your loved one’s death was the result of another person’s fault, contact Houston wrongful death lawyer Greg Baumgartner as soon as possible. We offer a free case evaluation and contingent attorneys’ fees.

Why Choose Our Wrongful Death Lawyer at Baumgartner Law Firm?

Choose us for our proven results and experienced and dedicated legal team.

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Who Can File Wrongful Death Claims in Texas?

In Texas, only certain family members can file a wrongful death claim or survival action. These individuals include parents, children, and spouses of the deceased. Children and adoptive children, along with spouses, can qualify even if they were separated when the death occurred.

If none of these family members file a lawsuit within three months of the death, the executor or administrator of the estate may bring the claim. This can only happen if all the eligible family members agree not to proceed with the legal action themselves.

Knowing who can file a wrongful death claim and the executor’s role can help you manage the legal process in Texas more easily.

Houston fatal accident lawyer Greg Baumgartner discusses wrongful death cases in Texas.

What are the Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death?

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

Wrongful death can occur in various situations involving different circumstances and responsible parties. Some common causes of wrongful death include:

  • Car Accidents: Negligent or reckless driving can lead to fatal collisions.
  • Truck Accidents: Commercial vehicle accidents often result in severe injuries or death.
  • Workplace Accidents: Unsafe working conditions or employer negligence can cause fatal injuries.
  • Construction Site Accidents: Fatal falls and other accidents.
  • Medical Malpractice: Errors by healthcare professionals can lead to wrongful death.
  • Product Liability: Defective or dangerous products can cause severe injuries, including fatal outcomes.
  • Premises Liability: Unsafe property conditions can result in fatal accidents.
  • Intentional Acts: Homicide or assault can lead to wrongful death claims.

Understanding the cause of wrongful death is crucial in building a strong case and holding the responsible parties accountable.

What are the Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death?

Depending on the type of case, an investigation should start as early as possible.

How Common Are Fatal Accidents in Texas Each Year?

Fatal accidents happen often in Texas, leading to thousands of deaths each year for various reasons. Here are some key statistics:

Car AccidentsIn 2023, according to the Texas DOT, 4,283 lives were lost due to motor vehicle accidents in Texas, demonstrating the state’s serious road safety issues. Houston was responsible for 290 of those fatal accidents, while Harris County accounted for 323.

Workplace Accidents In 2022, 578 people died from job-related accidents, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. These tragic incidents meant they never returned home from work.

Other Fatalities- Besides car and workplace accidents, many Texans also die from medical errors, unsafe conditions, and other causes.

These numbers reveal the serious problem of accidental deaths in Texas, highlighting the safety challenges that people face every day.

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How to Prove Negligence in Texas Wrongful Death Lawsuits?

How to Prove Negligence in Texas Wrongful Death Lawsuits?

What are the Key Elements of a Successful Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is a tragic experience. In Texas, wrongful death claims allow families to seek justice and compensation. To win a wrongful death lawsuit, you must prove four essential elements: Duty of Care, Breach of Duty, Causation, and Damages. Below, we detail each element and explain how to build a strong wrongful death case.

1. Duty of Care-

The first step in a wrongful death lawsuit is showing that the defendant owed a legal duty to the deceased. Duty of care refers to the obligation to act to prevent harm to others. Common examples include:

Drivers- A driver must obey traffic laws and drive safely.

In wrongful death cases, proving the existence and breach of a duty depends on the facts of your case. Our attorneys will work to prove your case and get justice for your losses.

2. Breach of the Duty-

A breach of duty happens when a person acts recklessly or negligently. Common examples are:

Failure to follow safety procedures at work. Violating a traffic law like driving under the influence.

The defendant’s actions must be shown to be unreasonable or negligent under the circumstances.

3. Causation- Linking the Defendant’s Actions to the Death

Next, you must prove that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the death of your loved one. This is called “causation”. You need to show that the defendant’s actions (or lack of action) led to the fatal incident.

For instance, if a trucking company fails to maintain its vehicles properly and the condition of the big rig causes an accident, its negligence is directly linked to the death. The connection between the breach and the fatality must be clear and undeniable.

4. Damages- Proving Financial and Emotional Loss

The final element is demonstrating the damages caused by the wrongful death. Damages include both economic and non-economic losses. Examples include:

Funeral and medical expenses incurred due to the death

Lost income and support if the deceased was a primary wage-earner

Loss of companionship and emotional distress suffered by surviving family members

In Texas, damages can include financial compensation for tangible losses and emotional damages for the pain caused by the loss.

Building Your Case- The Importance of Getting Strong Evidence

A successful wrongful death claim requires strong evidence to support each element. Key types of evidence include:

  • Witness accounts – Eyewitnesses can help clarify what happened and determine who is at fault.
  • Expert testimony – Medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, or safety professionals may be necessary to help establish causation.
  • Documentary evidence, including police reports, medical records, safety procedures, and accident logs, helps establish the facts.

Hiring an experienced attorney as soon as possible will help them build your case and take action to preserve vital evidence.

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What is the Texas Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of the deceased person’s death. This means that surviving family members must file their lawsuit within two years of the date of death; otherwise, they will be barred from bringing a claim. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as if the deceased person was a minor or if the surviving family members were mentally or physically incapacitated at the time of the death.

It’s worth noting that the statute of limitations can be complex and may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Therefore, it’s essential to consult with an experienced law firm as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected and that you comply with the applicable statute of limitations. An experienced wrongful death attorney can guide you through the legal process, help gather necessary evidence, and ensure the claim is filed within the required timeframe.

How Do Insurance Companies Try to Blame the Victim After a Fatal Accident?

After a fatal accident, the victims can’t defend themselves. This makes it easier for the party at fault to shift the blame onto the deceased. Understanding this tactic is important because it can impact the compensation the victim’s family receives.

What is Texas’s Comparative Negligence Rule?

Texas has a rule called modified comparative negligence. This means that more than one party, including the victim, can share some or all of the blame for an accident. If the victim is found to be less than 50% at fault, their family can still seek wrongful death or survival damages. However, their compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the deceased. If the victim is assigned blame of 51% or more, the family in a wrongful death case is barred from getting damages in Texas. For this reason, insurance companies almost always try to blame the deceased.

How Does Comparative Fault Apply in Texas Wrongful Death Cases?

In wrongful death cases, where a victim has died in an accident, figuring out who is at fault is key. If the victim is blamed, it can lower or even eliminate the compensation their family can receive. That’s why it’s crucial to fight against any attempts by insurance companies to shift blame onto the victim. Find the best attorney near you as soon as you can.

How Baumgartner Law Firm Fights the Insurance Companies’ Tactic of Blaming the Victim

For over 40 years, we have challenged the defendant’s expected strategy of blaming the victim for causing the accident. Even in clear liability cases, insurance companies will often attempt to shift the blame to minimize their financial liability. We counter the tactic by building a strong case and highlighting the weaknesses in the defense arguments.

If a fatal accident occurs, be prepared for attempts to blame the victim. We are familiar with these tactics and are prepared to fight for your family.

What is Our Process for Helping Your Family After a Fatal Accident?

Our Process for Helping Your Family After a Fatal Accident

Let Us Fight For Your Family

Our process for your wrongful death case is as follows:

  • Getting to Know You and Your Family
    Learning about your family is important to us. We care and will support you every step of the way.
  • Investigate and Build Your Case
    Our Houston wrongful death lawyers will investigate the accident, work to find witnesses, and obtain evidence from the authorities. We will identify any negligent party responsible for the deceased person’s death.
  • Preservation of Evidence
    Experienced attorneys will take steps to preserve relevant evidence, which can be important in litigation for accidental death in Texas. Saving evidence can help lead to a successful wrongful death lawsuit.
  • Negotiation
    Our Houston attorneys will negotiate with defendants and insurance companies, drawing on our decades of experience. We aim to maximize your compensation and achieve outstanding results for your surviving family members.
  • Filing Your Lawsuit
    If negotiations fail, we will file your Texas wrongful death lawsuit and present your case to a jury in Houston, TX. Our attorneys rely on our decades of experience to maximize your compensation.

Experience is key in winning wrongful death lawsuits. Our firm offers unmatched expertise on personal injury and wrongful death claims.

If you have lost a family member, call our Houston wrongful death law firm. Call a top-rated Houston wrongful death lawyer now for a FREE CONSULTATION!

What to Know About the Texas Wrongful Death Statute?

The Texas Wrongful Death Act is in Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

Section 71.002 of the TCPRC explains who can bring a wrongful death claim in Texas. The surviving spouse, children, and parents can bring a Texas wrongful death claim.

Estates can make a claim. An executor or administrator of an estate may be appointed. They can bring a claim for the estate.

Section 71.004 allows for the recovery of damages.

Which includes the loss of:

If the victim survives, an estate can file a survival case to seek damages for the injury that occurred before the death.

Call our Houston wrongful death attorneys to explore your rights and options today.

What are Survival Claims, and How are They Different from Wrongful Death?

What are Survival Claims, and How are They Different from Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death compensation is meant to support surviving family members after losing a loved one. Wrongful death compensation can include damages for your losses. Pecuniary loss is the loss of care, maintenance, support, services, advice, counsel, and reasonable contributions that were lost with the death of your family member.

Texas wrongful death damages cover things like:

Survival Claim Damages in Texas

Survival action damages compensate for the pain and damage the deceased experienced before their death. If the person lived for a time after the accident, their estate may be able to seek survival damages. A Texas survivor claims a lawyer can assist with your lawsuit.

Survival cases can include compensation for:

What Damages are Available for Wrongful Death Cases in Texas?

What Damages are Available for Wrongful Death Cases in Texas?

The loss of a loved one is the most emotionally devastating experience any of us will have to endure. On top of that, the death of a family member can lead to big financial burdens.

The Texas wrongful death lawsuit is the mechanism to help families recover the compensation that they deserve. Such lawsuits hold the defendant and other responsible parties accountable for damages.

Here are the damages your family may recover:

What Are Economic Damages in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Economic damages are meant to compensate for the measurable financial losses that result from the death of a family member. These damages cover the tangible costs that families face, including:

  • Medical bills
  • Costs of a Funeral
  • Loss of Support
  • Loss of Inheritance
  • Loss of Household Services

What are Non-Economic Damages in a Wrongful Death Case

Economic damages after a fatal accident are easy to add up. But non-economic damages, which are usually the largest in most wrongful death lawsuits, are more subjective and harder to measure. Here are the non-economic damages available in a wrongful death case in Texas:

Mental Anguish and Emotional Damages

Loss of Companionship

Loss of Consortium

Loss of Parental Guidance

Punitive Damages- Punishing Reckless Conduct

Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are designed to punish particularly egregious behavior and deter similar actions in the future. In Texas, punitive damages may be awarded in wrongful death cases where the defendant’s actions were grossly negligent, reckless, or malicious, like a drunk driving accident.

While punitive damages are not available in every case, they play a crucial role in holding individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. Our Houston wrongful death lawyer will talk with you about the accident. Get a free case evaluation on a fatal accident.

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What Impacts Damages in a Wrongful Death Case?

What Key Factors Impact the Damages in a Texas Wrongful Death Case?
  • The age, health, and life expectancy of the deceased
  • The closeness of your relationship with the family member
  • Facts surrounding the cause of the death

Are There Limits to Wrongful Death Compensation in Texas?

Texas law places certain caps on punitive damages, but compensatory damages (both economic and non-economic) are generally uncapped. In most cases, punitive damages are limited to two times the amount of economic damages, plus up to $750,000 for noneconomic damages. However, these caps do not apply if the wrongful death resulted from a felony or particularly egregious conduct by the defendant.

Why Act Quickly with a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?

The earlier you start investigating and building your case, the better. Obtaining skilled representation early allows your attorney to take steps to obtain and preserve vital evidence.

Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help grieving families achieve justice and financial stability. Holding negligent parties accountable, families can recover compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. In some cases, punitive damages may further reinforce the severity of the defendant’s actions.

If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, we are here to guide you through every step of the legal process and fight for the compensation your family deserves.

Contact the Award-Winning Wrongful Death Lawyer in Houston for a FREE Case Evaluation

Baumgartner Law Firm has helped families get full compensation after a fatal accident since 1985. We have never lost a wrongful death case and have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.

Contact us today to discover how we can assist you in achieving justice and financial recovery. Our office is ready to provide a free consultation and start building your case immediately.

Recent 5-Star Client Reviews on Google

Overall rating: ★★★★★ 

One of the kindest knowledgeable lawyers in the Houston area! I highly recommend coming to Baumgartner law firm first. He is caring prepared and has helped me through my case he is quick and efficient”

Isabel

Overall rating: ★★★★★ 

Baumgartner Law Firm has been wonderful to work with. Greg is very knowledgeable, and after my motorcycle accident it was comforting to know my lawyer was actually on my side. I wouldn’t recommend anybody else!”

Adam

Overall rating: ★★★★★ 

“I just want to start by saying I’m very thankful and appreciative of the hard work and effort that was put into my case. I’ve received a GREAT amount of money”

-Enavi

Contact a Fatal Accident Attorney in Houston Who Cares!

We understand the stress and anxiety of losing a family member. It is very hard to act under this kind of stress. Yet it is exactly now that you should take action to protect your family’s financial interests.

Since 1985, Greg Baumgartner at Baumgartner Law Firm has helped many Texas families after a loved one’s death. We file wrongful death suits for beneficiaries after a victim dies in an accident. Since then, we have remained undefeated in wrongful death lawsuits.

Our Houston personal injury attorney is rated preeminent in personal injury trial law. Let us handle your wrongful death suit and fight for your compensation.
Call our Houston wrongful death lawyer for a NO-COST, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.

Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy
Houston, Texas 77069

(281) 587-1111

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Frequently Asked Questions

Houston Wrongful Death FAQs

If you have questions about what you can do to get justice for your loss or how to make a wrongful death claim, call us for a free consultation. We can answer your questions and outline your rights and options. Acting quickly after the loss of a loved one can be a difficult thing to do, but it is the right thing to do for your family.

Can I file a wrongful death claim if a drunk driver killed my family member?

Yes, we have won many fatal accidents caused by drunk drivers. The drunk driver going to jail doesn’t help the family. We will investigate the case to see if anyone else may be liable.

What is the difference between criminal charges and a wrongful death case?

A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil case. It involves proving negligence or gross negligence. District Attorneys handle criminal charges for crimes like driving drunk or manslaughter. These two cases are separate. Someone can be liable for wrongful death even if they escape conviction on criminal charges. Contact us to talk about your loss.

How is a wrongful death settlement divided between family members?

In a wrongful death settlement, the money can be divided by agreement. Or among families, where a judge or jury makes a decision. The key factor is the closeness of each family member to the deceased. The closer the relationship, the larger the potential damages. In our experience, money usually goes to family members in this order:

  • spouses,
  • minor children,
  • parents of minor children,
  • adult children, and finally,
  • parents of adult children.

Can siblings file a wrongful death case?

No, siblings can’t participate in a Texas wrongful death lawsuit by statute. Only parents, spouses, and children can file wrongful death claims in Texas.

Can we get punitive damages in our wrongful death lawsuit?

Punitive damages are appropriate when actions are outrageous. For example, if someone gets drunk and causes a fatal accident. That can be gross negligence. Call us to discuss your case with top-rated Houston lawyer for a fatal accident.

How long does a wrongful death cases take in Texas?

The length of a wrongful death suit can vary from six months to two years or more. If the insurance coverage is limited, the case may be resolved quickly. Disputes about fault or cases multiple defendants take longer.

Can an executor file a wrongful death case?

Yes, in Texas, an executor can file a lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family members. However, each family member can bring a wrongful death lawsuit themselves.

What is the cost of hiring a Houston wrongful death attorney?

Financial worries can make it hard to seek legal help after losing a loved one. That’s why our attorney only gets paid if we win your case. This way, you don’t have to stress about fees upfront.

With our contingency fee system, we’re fully committed to your case. Our firm covers all the costs to investigate and pursue your claim, so you won’t need to pay for anything out-of-pocket. Our goal is to give you the best legal support without adding financial stress during this tough time.

You can be confident that we only get paid if we win. If we successfully secure a settlement or win in court, we’ll take a percentage of the money as our fee. Any expenses we covered during the legal process will also be reimbursed from the settlement. This fee arrangement ensures that we’re motivated to achieve the best outcome for you, as our success depends on yours.

If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. We’re dedicated to providing top-notch legal representation without any financial risk to you. We’re committed to fighting for justice and holding those responsible accountable without adding to your financial burden.

When you choose us for your wrongful death claim, you can trust in our transparent approach to costs. We focus on your best interests and work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome. You won’t have to pay any fees unless we win money for you. Let us take care of the legal details while you focus on healing and moving forward.

How can I start the process of claiming compensation for a wrongful death?

Contact Baumgartner Law Firm today at (281) 587-1111. Families have trusted our law firm in Houston for decades after losing a loved one. We will guide you through the necessary steps and assist in filing your claim.

Do I need an attorney to file a wrongful death lawsuit?

Yes, you do. While it is possible to sue without an attorney, it isn’t easy. The odds are stacked against you. We recommend getting an expert fatal accident attorney. The earlier you get an experienced lawyer, the better.

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