Wrongful Death Attorney in Dallas
The loss of a loved one is one of the most devastating things a person can endure. When the loss was unexpected and caused by someone else’s careless or intentional actions, it is natural to want answers, justice, and closure.
Wrongful Death Lawyer in Dallas
While nothing can bring your loved one back, taking legal action could hold the at-fault party accountable. It could also provide compensation to ease the financial burden that this sudden loss has put on you and your family.
When you contact a Dallas wrongful death lawyer at The Wilhite Law Firm, you will be able to discuss your situation in detail and get the legal advice you need with no cost and no pressure. We will provide you with honest answers about your case and explain how we could help you seek justice on behalf of your loved one and your family. Contact our wrongful death lawyers in Dallas by phone or online to speak with us today. Our Dallas personal injury attorneys will help.
What Can You Be Compensated for in a Dallas Wrongful Death Case?
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s wrongful death and your subsequent losses, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses – The costs of any medical bills you incurred for your loved one’s healthcare before the death. This could include expenses from ambulance rides, hospital stays, diagnostic exams, doctor’s visits, medical equipment, in-home care, therapy, or prescription medications.
- Funeral, burial, and cremation costs – The costs of final care for your loved one as well as a reasonable funeral, burial, or cremation expenses. This may include the costs of transporting remains to a funeral home, purchasing a casket, and other funeral expenses.
- Loss of the deceased’s earning capacity – The value of the immediate loss of any income, earnings, or benefits provided by your loved one before death, as well as the projected loss of the wages and benefits they likely would have provided if they had survived their injuries.
- Loss of inheritance – The estimated value of any money the deceased likely would have earned, saved, and distributed to their loved ones over the course of their natural lifetime.
- Loss of care and companionship – The subjective value of the loss of care, guidance, companionship, maintenance, services, and advice your loved one would have provided if they had survived their injuries.
- Pain and suffering – The psychological pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering you endured as a result of your loved one’s untimely death, as well as any losses in your overall quality or enjoyment of life.
- Punitive damages – This term refers to a particular type of compensation awarded in rare cases involving at-fault parties who acted with extreme negligence or intentional malice. Punitive damages are awarded to punish wrongdoing and discourage similar behavior in the future.
Wrongful Death FAQs
Our team at The Wilhite Law Firm is always available to answer questions. Here are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about wrongful death in Texas:
Wrongful Death
Can a sibling file a wrongful death claim in Texas?
No, not usually. Only the deceased’s spouse, children, or parents are eligible to file a wrongful death claim under Texas law. However, you may be able to file a claim if no other surviving family members do so within three months of your sibling’s death, and you are acting as the personal representative of their estate.
Can you sue for pain and suffering on behalf of a loved one?
Yes. You can file a survival action on behalf of your loved one, which is similar but distinct from a wrongful death claim. In a survival action, you can seek compensation for the pain and suffering your loved one experienced before they died. Any money awarded in a survival action goes to the deceased’s estate, after which it may be distributed to surviving family members.
How are wrongful death settlements paid out?
A wrongful death settlement is typically paid out in one of two ways. In a lump-sum payment, you receive the compensation you are owed all at once. In a structured settlement, you receive the compensation in regular installments over a period, which can be beneficial for tax purposes.
How much does it cost to hire a wrongful death lawyer in Dallas?
Most wrongful death attorneys, including the team at The Wilhite Law Firm, accept cases on a contingency fee basis. In a contingency fee arrangement, you pay no upfront or out-of-pocket costs for our attorneys to begin work on your case, and you will owe nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
