Odessa Wrongful Death Lawyer
When you’ve lost a beloved family member in a negligent accident, besides the devastating trauma, shock and grief you’re experiencing, you may also feel confused and unsure of where to turn. While our Odessa wrongful death lawyer can’t erase your pain, or that of other survivors, we can help you understand your options for bringing a legal claim against the party that caused the accident or other incident that took your loved one’s life. The compensation you could potentially get can help ensure you aren’t faced with financial burdens on top of the emotional ones.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. You can trust one of our experienced wrongful death lawyers in Odessa to work hard to bring you and your family monetary justice. Contact Hanna Law Firm to schedule a free consultation about your case by calling (432) 580-4878.
Knowledgeable Wrongful Death Lawyers in Odessa
What exactly does wrongful death mean? In legal terms, it is a death that is caused by the negligent or intentional actions of another party. The Texas wrongful death statute says that a person is liable if an injury that caused another’s death was due to “a wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness or default.”
Survivors of people who die due to negligent or intentional actions can ask for compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits are civil suits that ask for compensation in the form of damages to hold people and entities accountable for their careless or intentional wrongdoing.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, only specific family members can file wrongful death lawsuits. You must be a surviving spouse, child or parent of the deceased. Adoptive parents and adopted children can file as long as the adoption was legal. You can bring a wrongful death lawsuit separately or as a group. If survivors don’t file and all survivors agree, the personal representative of the person’s estate can file for wrongful death.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a skilled Odessa wrongful death lawyer from our law firm for any questions you have about filing a legal claim. You can count on us to fight for justice for your loved one’s loss. Call an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Odessa at (432) 580-4878.
Damages are the losses suffered because of the death. Damages that could be claimed in a wrongful death lawsuit include:
- Reimbursement for hospital, doctor and other medical bills related to the injury that caused the death
- Costs of the funeral and burial
- Compensation for lost earning capacity and lost inheritance
- Payment for lost companionship, love and support
- Pain and suffering of both the deceased and their survivors.
In some cases, depending on the circumstances, punitive damages meant to punish the wrongdoer for gross negligence can also be pursued. Our Odessa wrongful death attorney will advise you about specific damages in your case.
There’s no simple answer to this question. How much compensation may be available is based on several things, including the damages involved, the level of negligence of the at-fault party and other factors. Some things that may be taken into account when it comes to compensation are the age of the victim, whether they were a family provider, their income and future earning capacity had they lived, and the amount of medical and other expenses..
In wrongful death lawsuits that are settled through a trial, the jury will decide who gets how much when there is more than one eligible survivor. When lawsuits are settled outside of court, survivors and their attorneys may work together to decide how the settlement will be divided. Some families may choose to divide money equally among parties. In other cases, things such as who is most financially affected by the person’s death may be considered. If a minor child is a beneficiary of the wrongful death claim, a legal representative will be appointed to look out for the child’s interests.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Odessa from Hanna Law Firm
Our knowledgeable wrongful death lawyer in Odessa is skilled at helping survivors gain compensation when they have tragically lost loved ones. We will compassionately guide you throughout the claims process even as we assertively hold the negligent party accountable. Call our Texas law firm today at (432) 580-4878 to set up a free case evaluation and learn how we can help you.
Common Ways that Wrongful Deaths Resulting in Lawsuits Happen
There are many different reasons for wrongful death claims. Some of the more common ones include:
- Motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted, drunk or otherwise negligent drivers are one of the most common reasons for wrongful death claims. These include accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians and bicycles. Drivers who negligently cause accidents can be held liable.
- Workplace mishaps. On-the-job accidents, including falls and other mishaps as well as occupational illnesses from working with chemicals, as just one example, can lead to wrongful death lawsuits. Employers or third parties may be held liable for workplace deaths.
- Defective products. Defective product injuries that lead to death, such as a car part that malfunctions, can be the reason for a claim. Product designers and manufacturers may be blamed in a lawsuit.
- Medical malpractice. When doctors are negligent in treating patients and patients die, the doctors open themselves up to lawsuits. Sometimes nurses, hospitals and other healthcare providers may also be guilty of medical malpractice.
- Premises liability accidents. These accidents are due to hazardous property conditions and can include fatal injuries caused by slipping, tripping and falling, for example. Property owners who allow dangerous conditions to exist may be liable.
- Violent acts. If a person is killed through a violent act, the guilty party can be sued for wrongful death, whether or not they are also being criminally prosecuted.
These are just some examples of accidents and incidents that can lead to wrongful death claims. Our wrongful death lawyers in Odessa will review all the facts surrounding your unique case to determine whether you may have a legal claim. Please call our law firm at (432) 580-4878 to arrange a free consultation.
Why You Need Experienced Legal Support from an Odessa Wrongful Death Attorney
Losing a family member is devastating. If it has happened to you, you may be facing mounting financial pressure from medical bills, funeral costs and other expenses. A successful wrongful death claim can pay those expenses and alleviate your financial stress. But proving wrongful death is hard, which is why you need experienced legal support to represent you with insurance companies and if your case ends up going to trial.
An experienced Odessa wrongful death attorney will take skillful steps to prove the validity of your wrongful death claim including:
- Carefully investigating all of the evidence surrounding your loved one’s death
- Showing that the responsible party caused the injury and death, which may require the assistance of expert witnesses and other resources
- Negotiating with insurance providers to get you the compensation you deserve
- Representing you in court if a fair settlement with insurers can’t be reached
- Not backing down in holding liable parties accountable.
Our Odessa wrongful death lawyers want to bring you justice for your family member’s loss. We’ll fight to get the most compensation possible. Call Hanna Law Firm today by dialing (432) 580-4878 to set up a free consultation about your case.
Texas Statute of Limitations for Filing Wrongful Death Claims
It’s important not to delay if you are considering filing a wrongful death claim. There is a statute of limitation in Texas of two years. The clock for this deadline begins running the day that your family member died. However, there are exceptions to this general rule that may apply in your case. Always speak directly with a Texas wrongful death attorney to learn what the deadline is for your unique circumstances. An Odessa wrongful death lawyer from Hanna Law Firm will advise you. Call our firm today at (432) 580-4878 so we can learn about your case.
Call a Skilled Odessa Wrongful Death Lawyer When You Are Seeking Justice for Your Loved One
We know that you are grieving and that the days, weeks, months and even years ahead will be difficult for you. While there is nothing our Odessa wrongful death attorneys can do to reduce your emotional suffering, we can potentially ease your financial distress as you move forward. We have helped many families who have lost loved ones in car crashes caused by negligence, workplace accidents and other events. With our assistance they have been able to get the compensation they need to pay their bills and to hold guilty parties accountable. You can trust us to put our significant legal resources to work toward positively resolving your claim.
Call our law firm today at (432) 580-4878 to schedule a free consultation. We will compassionately and skillfully address your concerns and advise you about your options.