If you lost a family member in a Melissa, Texas incident caused by another person or party, you may be able to take legal action to hold them legally responsible for your related expenses and losses. A Melissa Texas wrongful death lawyer from Underwood Law Office can help you build your claim and pursue compensation based on the at-fault party’s negligence and your damages.
Our attorneys provide free case reviews for families mourning the loss of a loved one in Melissa and nearby areas. We are a personal injury law firm that helps families get justice after a wrongful death. We will assess your case for free and explain your legal options.
Damages Recoverable in a Melissa, TX Wrongful Death Case
Wrongful death actions in Texas require you to file an insurance claim or sue the liable party or parties to recover compensation for damages. This may be the best way to get justice and hold the at-fault party accountable, even if they face criminal charges for their actions.
However, many people do not face criminal consequences for their carelessness, even if it leads to someone’s death. This is one reason civil action is so important. Another is because it allows your family to secure your financial well-being despite losing your loved one.
Some recoverable expenses and losses we pursue for wrongful death clients include:
- Funeral expenses and related cremation or burial costs
- Loss of future income and benefits previously provided by the deceased
- Loss of household services performed by the decedent, such as childcare or lawncare
- Intangible losses and emotional distress suffered by survivors
The decedent’s estate may also be able to recover compensation in a civil case. While we can pursue losses and expenses the family will suffer, we can also seek compensation for the damages the decedent could have recovered in a personal injury lawsuit had they survived. These damages could include:
- Medical expenses from the accident until their death
- Lost wages between the accident and the date of death
- Their pain and suffering before death
- Property damages that occurred, such as car repairs after a collision
- Other related expenses incurred between their injuries and their death
Our team knows how to value the losses of family members and an estate, seeking fair and appropriate compensation for each. It is important to remember these terms often refer to the same benefactors, but that is not always the case. We can help you determine the heirs in your loved one’s will or estate plan and how this could affect your claim during your initial consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Melissa, call (972) 535-6377
Understanding Wrongful Death Cases in Texas
In Texas, you can file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit if your loved one could have pursued a personal injury case but passed away from their injuries before they were able to do so. The state codifies this under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.
Using this code, we can pursue compensation for our clients when we can prove that another party’s negligence caused the accident and the victim’s death. This requires us to investigate what happened and gather evidence to show:
- The accused party owed the deceased a specific duty of care.
- The defendant failed to uphold this duty of care.
- Their breach caused the accident or incident.
- The victim suffered injuries and passed away as a result.
The evidence necessary to prove these cases can vary widely depending on the type of incident or accident that led to the victim’s injuries and death. We manage many types of personal injury cases, including those based on:
- Car accidents
- Truck collisions
- DWI crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle crashes
- Fall injuries
- Pool incidents
- Fires and explosions
- Other premises liability injuries
- Dog bite incidents
- Construction accidents
- Mining incidents
- Violent acts, including shootings and stabbings
Melissa Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me (972) 535-6377
How Underwood Law Office Helps Our Melissa Texas Wrongful Death Clients
Our team at Underwood Law Office works tirelessly to represent our clients, protect their rights, and get them the best possible outcome in their cases based on the evidence available. We understand how these cases work and know how to develop a strong argument to support justice and fair compensation.
You can review our recent case results to learn more about how we have helped others get the money damages their families needed and deserved.
We not only provide free initial consultations, but we also do not charge anything upfront. You will not need to pay anything to our attorneys until your case concludes, and we only charge you lawyer’s fees if we recover compensation for you.
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Underwood Law Office Attorneys Can Navigate Your Claim for You
Texas law limits who can file a wrongful death action. Only specific immediate family members and representatives of the deceased can pursue damages in these cases. In general, this is limited to the surviving spouse and any adult or minor children or the surviving parents of the individual if they are not married and do not have children. Some cases are unique, however, so we encourage you to reach out to our team to learn more.
When a client hires us to manage their claim or lawsuit, we dedicate our time and resources to their case. We protect their rights and seek appropriate compensation and justice for them to the fullest extent allowed by the applicable laws. They can focus on mourning, spending time as a family, and returning to their everyday tasks while we handle their legal case.
We also ensure we meet all necessary deadlines for our clients. Generally speaking, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, family members have only two years from their loved one’s death date to sue. We can often reach a negotiated settlement and avoid going to court, but we must ensure we do so before this deadline arrives. This is one reason we like to get started as soon as possible.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Get Started with a Free Case Assessment Today
You can speak with a team member from Underwood Law Office about your legal options for free today. We provide these complimentary consultations so you can ask questions, learn about your rights, and see how our team may be able to help you. It also lays the groundwork for your case, as we will ask questions and evaluate the facts of your claim. Connect with us now to get started.
Call or text (972) 535-6377 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form