Texas Wrongful Death Lawyers: Seeking Justice and Compensation with Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm
If you have suffered from a family member’s death due to someone’s negligence, then you may be eligible for substantial compensation. In addition to the mental anguish of a loved one’s death, you may have lost financial support and need money to pay bills and burial expenses. Wrongful death claims can help surviving family members receive compensation they are legally entitled to.
Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm has been recognized as one of Houston’s top personal injury law firms. Our wrongful death attorneys understand the circumstances of losing a loved one due to another’s negligence. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing exceptional compassion for families seeking justice to receive maximum compensation for wrongful death cases in Texas. We will fight for you to get what is necessary to continue your life. If you want to recover compensation for wrongful death, contact us to receive a free case review.
Wrongful Death Laws in Texas
Wrongful death lawsuits are a type of personal injury claim. According to the Texas wrongful death statute, a wrongful death claim arises when the negligent or wrongful act of another resulted in injury or the wrongful death of another. Wrongful death in Texas also includes fetuses that were not born alive due to negligence. The law allows close eligible family members to bring a suit against the at-fault party to receive financial compensation for the hurt they suffered.
Examples of Wrongful Death Claims in Texas
Wrongful deaths can occur in many ways. Any death that occurred because of a wrongful or negligent act of another may qualify for a wrongful death personal injury lawsuit. At Sutliff & Stout, we have seen many types of fatal accidents that have qualified for wrongful death compensation. Wrongful death occurs in the following incidents:
- Car accidents
- Truck Accidents
- 18 wheeler accidents
- Bicycle or motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace accidents
- Oilfield accidents
- Maritime accidents
If you have recently lost a loved one due to the negligence of another and want to seek justice, contact the wrongful death lawyers at Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm to learn more.
Texas Wrongful Death Lawyers
Filing a wrongful death claim can be complicated, especially when dealing with the grief that comes with a family loved one’s death. A person’s death can cause intense emotional stress. Due to the emotional stress and the complex wrongful death law, fighting negligence with an attorney is always a better decision than doing it alone.
Sutliff & Stout is a trusted name in the legal industry, offering compassionate support and personalized attention to each case. Our law firm focuses exclusively on wrongful death cases, and we utilize our in-depth understanding of Texas laws and regulations to navigate complex legal processes while ensuring the rights of the families we represent are protected. With their extensive experience and unwavering commitment to client success, our wrongful death attorneys can help you receive everything you are legally entitled to.
The Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm Difference
The Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm was established in 2008 and focuses exclusively on wrongful death cases. We utilize our in-depth understanding of Texas laws and regulations to navigate complex legal processes while ensuring the rights of the families we represent are protected. Through exceptional compassion for our clients, we fight for maximum compensation. Our firm covers cases throughout Texas and has offices in Houston, Austin, Marble Falls, and San Angelo.
Over $1 Billion in Compensation Awarded to Our Clients
Sutliff & Stout has a proven track record of litigating wrongful death claims. Our firm has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and jury awards for our personal injury clients over the lifetime of our firm. We can help you seek compensation for your survival claim. Our results speak for themself. We offer 100% free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis.
The wrongful death lawyers at Sutliff & Stout view their responsibility as legal professionals to defend their neighbors in their time of greatest need. That is why we are committed to providing compassionate support to grieving families. Our dedicated firm of experienced wrongful death lawyers and legal staff will work diligently to help your family fight for justice for your loved one’s death. We will not stop until we recover maximum financial compensation for your Texas wrongful death lawsuit.
Who Is Able to File A Wrongful Death Case?
Not every family member is legally allowed to file a Texas wrongful death lawsuit. The Texas statute limits those who can file a claim to close family members, including the deceased person’s surviving spouse, children, and parents, including adoptive parents. Surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit jointly together or individually.
According to the law, other surviving family members (such as siblings, cousins, and grandparents) are not eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Another important rule is that girlfriends and boyfriends cannot file a suit. Regardless of whether they were in a long-term partnership, Texas law requires that only a legal surviving spouse is eligible for a claim. The personal representative of the decedent’s estate can also file suit.
The rules of filing a Texas survival claim can be confusing. If you are a surviving spouse or close family member who has suffered damages because of a negligent death, then you will need an experienced wrongful death lawyer by your side. Contact Sutliff & Stout for more information.
The Legal Process of Filing a Texas Wrongful Death Claim
The process for filing a wrongful death is not easy and needs to be precise. As such, it is recommended to have a wrongful death attorney with you at every step of the process. Any death claim must be filed by an eligible family member of the decedent within two years. The first step involves a lot of paperwork. Next, your attorney will negotiate with the at-fault party and the relevant insurance company to negotiate a wrongful death settlement in your favor. If the offer is not fair or the parties cannot agree on the settlement, the case will proceed to trial. At trial, your attorney will use their advocacy to help secure a fair jury award for your case.
The first step in any wrongful death suit must begin with the client. As such, if you have suffered loss and want to receive justice and compensation, then contact Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm today for more information on how to file a wrongful death case. We offer a free case review. After an initial consultation, we can begin working on your claim right away.
How to Win A Wrongful Death Case in Texas – Establishing Negligence In Claims
According to the Texas Wrongful Death Act, to have a successful wrongful death case, one must prove that the victim’s death occurred due to “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default” by the defendant. This can be shown through a defendant’s intentional misconduct or negligence.
Generally, a plaintiff must prove four elements to show negligence:
- They must establish that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty.
- It must be shown that the defendant breached that duty of care.
- Causation must be established, which shows how the plaintiff’s injury resulted from the defendant’s breach of duty. In other words, the damage would not have occurred “but for” the defendant’s negligence.
- The plaintiff must establish that there are damages.
Damages can be established when the plaintiff suffered harm due to the defendant’s negligence, which can result in compensation.
While the elements to prove a case may seem daunting, an experienced wrongful death lawyer can help you win your claim.
The Types of Damages Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The state’s wrongful death statutes allow surviving family members to be compensated for the suffering and loss they sustained due to the family member’s death. Many types of damages are recoverable in a wrongful death lawsuit. Common damages include:
- Medical expenses incurred treating the victim’s fatal injuries
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support or any loss of income that would have supported surviving family members
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Emotional suffering and emotional distress family members suffered as a result of the accident and loss
The wrongful death lawyers at Sutliff & Stout Injury & Accident Law Firm understand that in addition to grieving your loss, you may be drowning in bills. Your lost loved one might have been the primary breadwinner for your family, and without them, you are in financial turmoil. That is why we are experts at helping family members receive the maximum damages.
Your Case May Qualify for Additional Punitive Damages
Some wrongful death lawsuits are awarded punitive damages, which are awards that offer additional compensation, usually due to gross negligence or malfeasance by the defendant. Sutliff & Stout has exceptional experience using our legal knowledge to provide the best legal strategy for our clients to recover the most compensation they can get. Whether through a wrongful death settlement or jury award, our Texas wrongful death attorneys have a track record of proven success.
How Much Compensation Can a Family Member Receive in A Wrongful Death Case?
If you and your family members are suffering after a wrongful death, then it is time for action to recover damages. The amount that a wrongful death lawsuit is worth depends on many factors. Only a wrongful death lawyer will be able to give an approximate estimate after considering your case’s circumstances. Contact Sutliff & Stout to determine how much wrongful death damages you may be entitled to. Our top attorneys can help answer any of your wrongful death questions.
Statute of Limitations in A Wrongful Death Lawsuit
According to Texas law, there is a time limit surviving family members have to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The Statute of Limitations law makes sure that a person must file a wrongful death claim within two years. Failing to file the claim within two years will have it completely barred. If no eligible family member files within three months, then the personal representative of the decedent’s estate may file within two years of that date. As time is of the essence, please act swiftly and reach out to our law firm today to receive your just compensation.
The Importance of Legal Representation in a Wrongful Death Claim
Any wrongful death claim’s chance of success depends on seeking legal representation early on. Working with an experienced wrongful death attorney can significantly shape the trajectory of your claim. The expert attorneys at Sutliff & Stout will investigate your case thoroughly and provide an accurate estimate of the value of your wrongful death lawsuit. With a realistic and fair assessment of how much compensation you and your family are entitled to, we will then file a wrongful death suit. After filing, we will work diligently to negotiate a wrongful death settlement on your behalf. While most wrongful death lawsuits end in a settlement, we are fully prepared to aggressively fight your case at trial if the other side cannot agree upon a fair settlement. Our lawyers have taken hundreds of successful cases to trial with a record of obtaining record-setting jury awards for our clients.
Contact a Top Texas Wrongful Death Lawyer to Seek Justice and Recover Compensation
If you have suffered the death of a loved one due to the fault of another, then you may be eligible for substantial compensation. While nothing can bring back the person that you loved, you can know that justice has been served. Let the team of dedicated attorneys at Sutliff & Stout help guide you through every step of the process. We understand the mental anguish you are going through and will use our in-depth knowledge and experience of the law to maintain your family’s legal rights. We have recovered $1 billion in compensation for people like you. We will not stop until you receive the total amount available under the law. Call the offices of Sutliff & Stout and receive the personal attention you deserve.
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