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Wrongful Death Overview

One of the most traumatic things any person can experience is the sudden and unexpected loss of a close family member, such as a spouse, parent or child.  Losing a loved one due to wrongful death isn’t easy as families can never prepare for the disheartening loss of one of the people they love the most.

According to the laws of Texas, a wrongful death occurs whenever a person is killed due to another person's negligence or careless actions.  Each year, countless wrongful death cases are reported in the United States. Many of these cases involve auto accidents, motorcycle accidents and trucking accidents. When people are involved in motor vehicle accidents, they not only stand to sustain complicated injuries, but may also be wrongfully killed.

Can You File a Wrongful Death Action?

After family members have suffered a wrongful death in Houston, they may be allowed to file what is called a wrongful death action.   These types of legal actions are really meant to do two things. The first is to make up for any damages families have suffered, such as emotional damages and financial damages. The second is to hold negligent parties accountable for their poor actions and recklessness. 

It is important to know that in cases involving a Houston wrongful death, a civil action may be filed if people meet certain prerequisites.  Some of these eligibility requirements include:

1. The death of a human being who is your immediate family member; mother or father, son or daughter, or husband or wife
   
2. The death must have been caused by another person's negligence, recklessness or carelessness

What Compensation Can You Receive?

If you are successful with your wrongful death action and are given a settlement or a winning verdict, you may receive monetary compensation for:

1. Medical bills associated with the accidental death
2. Funeral and burial or cremation fees
3. Past and future loss of advice and counsel
4. Past and future loss of services and support
5. Past and future loss of household services
6. Loss of inheritance
7. Past and future mental anguish
8. Loss of companionship and care
9. Punitive damages

If a loved one has died after an auto accident or injury in Houston, and you suspect that another person's negligence or misconduct played a role in the death, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death action against the other person. To gain a better understanding of your legal rights and options, discuss your case with a Houston wrongful death attorney at Joel A. Gordon & Associates today. Remember, there are time deadlines in place for filing wrongful death claims, which is why it is important to hire an injury attorney right away.

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If you and/or a family member have suffered serious or fatal injuries due to an accident, you and/or the family member may be eligible to file a claim. However, persons seeking to preserve any potential legal claims should contact an attorney promptly because Texas has mandatory time periods ("Statute of Limitations") in which a lawsuit must be filed.