The unexpected death of a loved one is devastating and can leave you and your family in disarray. When a person’s death is caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, the law allows their representative to seek financial compensation from the negligent party. While a wrongdoer may face criminal charges and punishment for negligently causing the death of another person, that does not preclude the deceased’s family from filing a civil claim for wrongful death. If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another person or entity, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To find out more about your legal entitlements, contact a Mt. Belvieu wrongful death lawyer for more information.
Why Choose the Attorneys at Linebaugh, Dority & Allen?
- At Linebaugh, Dority & Allen, we fight fiercely to get justice for our clients who have suffered injury or lost loved ones due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing.
- Our Mt. Belvieu auto accident attorneys have the legal and professional resources to research and investigate your case and get you the best possible outcome.
- Our attorneys are not afraid to get their hands dirty to get the results you deserve.
If you have lost a loved one due to negligence, Linebaugh, Dority & Allen can help you. We understand the financial impact that a wrongful death can have on you and your family and we will fight for you so that you can focus on healing your grief. Call us today at (281) 422-0505 for a free consultation and assessment of your case.
What is Wrongful Death?
The circumstances surrounding a person’s death will determine whether their beneficiaries can sustain a wrongful death suit. A person can be held liable for damages suffered from the death of another person if the injury that caused the person’s death was caused by a wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, or unskillfulness.
Situations that can result in a wrongful death claim include truck accidents, medical negligence, and unsafe premises.
Who Can Benefit from and File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Texas law provides for who can benefit from and file a wrongful death lawsuit. If a person dies from an injury that would have entitled them to a personal injury claim, their beneficiaries or personal representatives will be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Texas law provides that damages recovered from a wrongful death lawsuit are for the exclusive benefit of the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, and parents.
The legally entitled beneficiaries of a wrongful death lawsuit may also file a wrongful death lawsuit, or one or more of them may file the lawsuit for the benefit of all beneficiaries. If none of the entitled individuals institute a wrongful death action within three months after the death of the deceased, his executor or administrator is legally empowered to bring the action unless the beneficiaries ask him not to do so. Any damages recovered are divided amongst the individuals entitled to benefit from the lawsuit.
What Type of Damages Can You Get in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Although money cannot bring your loved one back, Texas law recognizes the difficulty that may ensue after a wrongful death. Under Texas law, damages in wrongful death claims fall into three broad categories. Economic damages, which are tangible include funeral expenses, loss of future earnings, and loss of medical expenses. Noneconomic damages are intangible and may include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. Punitive or exemplary damages are awarded to punish defendants who have acted in a particularly egregious manner.
Contact a Mt. Belvieu Wrongful Death Attorney Today
If you are struggling with the wrongful death of a loved one, contact the Mt. Belvieu wrongful death lawyer at Linebaugh, Dority & Allen today. Call us today at (281) 422-0505 to schedule your free consultation.