Filing a Wrongful Death Case in Texas

Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Texas

The Law in Texas

Texas Statute Section 71.002 states that if “neglect, a wrongful act, unskillfulness, carelessness, or default” by one party causes the death of another, a wrongful death claim if:

Further, Sec. 71.002 explains the Cause of Action as:

If liability exists under this section, a person is liable for damages arising from any injury that causes an individual’s death…[and] was caused by the person, his agent’s or servant’s wrongful act…[or] the injury was caused by an unsafe or harmful condition [of a utility or] machinery under the person’s control or operation.

The Process: Who May File a Texas Wrongful Death Claim?

Texas Wrongful Death Claim Law clearly defines who may file a claim as follows:

• The surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased–may file the claim individually or as a group.
  • If none of the above file a wrongful death claim within ninety days of the death, the deceased person’s representative or Executor of the Deceased’s Estate may file the claim.
  • A surviving family member may specifically request that the claim not be filed.
  • Under particular circumstances, if the act or omission occurred in another state or a foreign country, it may still be possible to file a wrongful death claim in Texas.
• If a child was legally and fully adopted, they could file a wrongful death claim for the death of an adoptive parent.
• Adoptive parents are eligible to file a wrongful death claim on their adopted child.
• An adopted child may not file a wrongful death claim for the loss of a biological parent.
• Survivor siblings may not file a wrongful death claim for losing a biological or adopted sibling.

Criminal Charges are Different

Wrongful death is different from a criminal homicide case. In a criminal case, the charges are filed by the prosecuting attorney; the penalties for criminal homicide include probation, imprisonment, fines, or other sanctions.

However, even if criminal charges are filed, a wrongful death claim may also be submitted.

Texas Wrongful Death Compensation and Damages

Damages awarded in a Texas wrongful death claim are paid to surviving family members or to the deceased’s estate; they are intended to compensate not only for financial losses but also for:

• Emotional and mental suffering
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of inheritance they could have assembled had they lived an expected lifetime.
• Loss of love, companionship, and comfort
• Medical bills related to the injury that resulted in the death

Exemplary Damages

In Texas, Exemplary Damages (known as punitive damages in other states) may be awarded if a fatality is caused by gross negligence or a willful act or omission. The intended purpose of awarding punitive damages is not to cover financial losses but to punish an individual or entity and deter similarly egregious behavior in the future.

Common wrongful death incidents include:

• Construction Accidents
• Criminal Acts
• Dangerous Chemicals
• Equipment failure
• Falls
• Car Accidents

In a wrongful death claim, damages awarded are based on the relationship to the deceased–the court or a jury determines the amounts and proportions if you have questions about the loss of a family member, talk with a preeminent rated and undefeated Houston wrongful death lawyer about your case. Call (281) 587-1111.