Nothing can compensate for the loss of a loved one. It is among the most severe injuries you could ever suffer. However, if their death was caused by another’s wrongdoing, the proceeds of a wrongful death case can give you room to adjust to your changed circumstances.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, we understand your situation and are ready to handle your case with sensitivity and empathy. Our years of experience as personal injury lawyers in Houston have taught us how important compensation is in helping families through tragic times.
Talk to our wrongful death lawyer in Houston. We have helped our clients recover millions in settlements and verdicts.
Lawsuits Related to Fatal Accidents Due to Others’ Negligence
Family members support their household in many ways. In some cases, they provide domestic and childcare services, or they earn an income that goes towards the support of the family unit. Their companionship and love also provide emotional support.
A tragic loss robs you of these contributions, and you are left to experience anguish and grief. These are damages the law takes seriously, and if someone else was responsible for the tragedy, our Houston wrongful death lawyer can seek compensation through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
Additional damages may be available for injuries that caused a fatality. They are the damages a person could have claimed if they survived. A separate claim, known as a survival action, seeks compensation for these damages, and any proceeds are paid to the decedent’s estate.
We have offices in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria; and will travel to any corner of Texas if we are capable of preventing an injustice.
Negligence and Liability in Houston Wrongful Death Cases
Negligence can lead to tragic accidents. To determine whether someone was negligent, courts consider whether parties implicated in an accident:
- Had a duty of care to protect other people
- Failed to comply with their duty of care
- Caused an accident due to that failure
- Proximately caused the fatal injuries
If these conditions are met, negligent parties may be held liable and required to compensate those they harmed. Liability is often disputed aggressively. Our Houston wrongful death attorney can represent your best interests, protecting you from a process that you might be ill-equipped to handle, even if you have not just experienced a devastating loss.
Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 361-884-4433
What Happens When a Person Was Partly Responsible For Their Fatal Accident
Although some things have changed in personal injury during the last five years, what happens when a person was partly responsible for an accident remains the same. Per Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001, parties can secure compensation if they are 50% or less at fault.
If they are not barred from recovering compensation under this rule, any percentage of fault attributed to them proportionately reduces their compensation. For example, if the decedent was 20% to blame, their family could be eligible for 80% of the damages, subject to the applicable rules.
Because wrongful death and survival actions often involve costly compensation payments, defendants and their insurance companies often fight hard to reduce liability. Careful investigation often provides the evidence needed to support a claim.
Representing the injured in all areas of Texas that extends back over 40 years
Liable Parties That Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, Can Identify
Although identifying multiple liable parties often complicates cases, it can improve your chances of recovering the full compensation you may be due.
Unfortunately, this can also mean multiple claims and negotiations with several parties. At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, we use evidence to show who may owe you compensation and how much they may owe.
Using truck accident cases as an example, we can determine whether:
- The truck driver is liable
- Another party, such as a truck company, is liable if their driver is in an accident
- Other motorists share fault in a fatal accident
- A workshop or manufacturer contributed to mechanical failure
- A company responsible for cargo loading contributed to the crash
Whether a fatal accident occurred in a car accident, as a result of negligent premises management, or some other form of negligence or misconduct, we will work to identify the circumstances of the fatal incident. Your family should not be left unsupported when other parties contributed to your loss.
You need a skilled advocate to protect your legal rights and present your claim in such a way as to maximize your recovery.
Who May Claim Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death actions seek compensation for those most likely to suffer due to the loss of a loved one. Per Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004, wrongful death lawsuits are primarily intended to assist:
- The decedent’s surviving spouse
- Their children
- Their parents
Texas recognizes informal marriages when certain legal requirements are met. Eligible family members may bring a wrongful death action together, or one or more of them may bring it on behalf of all eligible beneficiaries.
Damages Claimable in Houston Wrongful Death Cases
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, we understand that framing your loss in monetary terms can feel distasteful. Nevertheless, any compensation we recover on your behalf can help you face life’s challenges without the support of a person you loved.
The proceeds of a wrongful death case include damages like:
- Funeral or burial expenses
- Lost financial support, including household or childcare services
- Loss of inheritable assets the deceased might otherwise have accrued
- Expenses incurred due to a need for counseling or therapy
- Mental anguish following your family’s loss of a loved one
- Loss of companionship for parents or spouses
- Loss of nurture or guidance the decedent’s children might otherwise have benefited from
The proceeds of a wrongful death lawsuit can give families room to grieve, adjust, and restructure their lives after losing a loved one. For people suffering a devastating loss, it’s important to remember that wrongful death compensation is there to help you, rather than trying to attach a price to your loved one’s life.
Explore Your Legal Options With Your Wrongful Death Attorney in Houston
We know how difficult it is to discuss your loss with outsiders, but you can be assured of our empathy. Your wrongful death lawyer in Houston can evaluate your case and help you explore your options.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, we remain committed to personal service. You’ll get direct access to your attorney, and we’ll always respect you as an individual who has suffered an immeasurable loss.
Contact us today for a free, no–obligation consultation.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
