Houston Wrongful Death Attorney

When someone is careless or reckless, and they cause the death of another, they should be held responsible. Many of us hear about wrongful death lawsuits, but we may not know what this means. Wrongful death cases involve the death of a person that is caused by the negligence or wrongful act of another. A wrongful death lawyer can help the family of deceased to get what they deserve.

The law allows the beneficiaries and/or estate of the decedent to file a claim when a loved one is killed. Getting help from a wrongful death attorney soon after a loved one has died is important. Your attorney needs to begin the investigation into the cause of your family member’s death right away. Evidence can be destroyed. Witnesses can disappear.

You are likely dealing with grief. You may be overwhelmed with funeral arrangements and family. Do not wait to contact an attorney. The evidence you need to make your claim might disappear.

How Can a Houston Wrongful Death Attorney Assist with My Claim?

Losing a loved one to a sudden accident can be a heart-wrenching experience. In an instant, you’re robbed of their companionship, support, and guidance. If you were financially dependent on the deceased, their death has not only affected you emotionally, but also likely left you in a precarious financial position.

Bringing a claim against those responsible for causing your relative’s death can help you hold them financially accountable for the damage they’ve caused. However, initiating legal proceedings is a daunting prospect for anyone, let alone someone who is dealing with the grief, heartache, and anger of losing a loved one.

Chelsie King Garza is a skilled wrongful death attorney with many years of experience representing victims and their families in Houston. She can help guide you through this challenging chapter of your life and represent you at every stage of proceedings.

Let’s take a look at some of the other ways she may be able to assist with your claim:

Estimate the Value of Your Damages: Before initiating settlement talks, it will help to have a clear idea of what your case might be worth. There may be many different types of damages available to you and your family, and underestimating any of these losses could deprive you of the compensation you need to move on with your lives. We can help approximate the value of your damages by thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death, compiling the available evidence, and consulting with expert witnesses if necessary.

Conduct a Thorough Investigation: Six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts aren’t uncommon in wrongful death lawsuits, but these big paydays aren’t won easily. With a substantial amount at stake, it’s likely the insurer and other opposing parties will devote significant resources into challenging your case. Fortunately, strong evidence can help counter any defenses that arise. Wrongful death attorney Chelsie King Garza takes time to investigate each case thoroughly to ensure that you have the evidence you need to prevail during settlement negotiations, litigation, or trial.

Handle Negotiations with the Insurer: Once your claim is approved, you will have to negotiate a settlement with the claims adjuster. Your attorney can oversee proceedings, giving you time to focus on other matters.

Carelessness of Others Can Cause a Wrongful Death

Not every accident is caused by neglect or carelessness. But when someone ignores their duty or puts another at risk, and someone is killed, their family has a claim. Wrongful death cases can be possible when a death occurs from a:

Whether the death of your loved one was caused by a workplace accident, a dangerous product, or a highway crash, a wrongful death lawyer can help.

What Are Wrongful Death Damages?

If you’ve lost a loved one due to the neglect of another, you may be able to seek compensation. It may be hard to determine what damages you can ask for. Here are some examples of wrongful death damages:

Funeral expenses
Loss of companionship
Loss of guidance and counsel
Lost income
Loss of household services that the family member provided
Medical bills that were necessary because of the accident before they died

Who Can Initiate a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?

In most cases, the surviving parents, spouse, or children of the deceased can seek compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one. However, if these parties do not file a claim within 90 days of the deceased’s death, the executor or personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a claim instead—provided a surviving family member hasn’t formally requested that a wrongful death claim not be lodged. Siblings, however, cannot file a wrongful death claim for the death of a sister or brother.

How Much Is My Wrongful Death Lawsuit Worth?

In an ideal world, we could guarantee you a specific outcome for your case. Unfortunately, due to the unpredictable nature of proceedings and the number of factors that influence how your case unfolds, it simply isn’t possible for any lawyer or law firm to put an exact price tag on your losses.

Let’s take a look at a few factors that could affect the value of your claim:

The Deceased’s Expected Career Trajectory: Was your relative just beginning their career? Or were they set to retire soon? How much was the deceased earning prior to their death? If you were financially dependent on the deceased, you might be able to recover compensation for the income and benefits they would’ve provided had they survived. We may consult with vocational experts and economists to create a timeline of the deceased’s career trajectory to determine the value of future lost earnings.

The Deceased’s Household Contributions: Did the deceased take care of the children, prepare meals, or tackle other tasks around the home? After someone close to you dies, you may be left to handle these responsibilities by yourself. To fill the void they’ve left behind, you might have to order in meals, pay for childcare services, or make use of alternative transportation. Fortunately, these expenses and many others could be factored into your claim.

The Deceased’s Medical Bills: Unless the deceased died suddenly in an accident, they were likely treated for their injuries. Even a short hospital stay can add up to thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Often, it’s the family of the deceased who have to chip in to cover these unexpected costs. Whether you had to pay for their medical bills out of your own pocket, or these expenses were covered by the deceased or their estate, you have a right to seek compensation for such damages.

Funeral and Burial Costs: Arranging a funeral for your lost loved one can help give you a sense of closure during these trying times. However, this final farewell isn’t just heart-wrenching, it can also wreak havoc on your finances. From the service to the casket, burial, and headstone, arranging a funeral can often cost a small fortune. Fortunately, as a plaintiff in a wrongful death case, you have a right to pursue damages for the expense of burying a loved one. You should make sure to track these costs by compiling any relevant receipts, invoices, and bills to share with your Houston wrongful death attorney during the initial consultation.

Hire an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer

If a loved one died due to the neglect of another, act quickly to hire an attorney to protect your rights. In this time of grief, Chelsie King Garza offers a compassionate ear while fighting for your rights. Chelsie King Garza has handled complex litigation and won against the toughest defendants. Contact Chelsie King Garza today for help.