Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer
Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing someone you love in Houston because of another’s negligence is a kind of pain that changes everything. Selected for inclusion in the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, your Houston personal injury lawyer at Goff Law, PLLC has experience helping families hold careless parties accountable.
If you lost a loved one, your Houston wrongful death lawyer from Goff Law, PLLC is here to talk with you about what happened and help you understand what steps may follow. Please reach out today so we can listen to your story and help you figure out what comes next.
Why You See So Many Wrongful Death Claims in Houston
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Houston is the largest city in Texas, and that size alone increases the chance of serious accidents that end in tragedy. Industrial hubs and refineries bring risks of explosions, while an overburdened medical system means errors are more likely to happen. For these reasons, wrongful death claims may be more common in Houston than in many other parts of the state.
What Often Causes Wrongful Death in Houston
Industrial work in Houston carries risks that turn deadly when safety rules are not followed. Refinery explosions and plant accidents have taken lives, and families are often left wondering how and why those failures happened. Serious crashes on Houston’s highways also claim lives every year, and your Houston wrongful death attorney with Goff Law, PLLC can review the evidence that shows how a driver or company caused the fatal collision.
Hospitals in Houston also face wrongful death claims tied to mistakes in patient care. A misread scan or a medication error can each result in a loss that never should have happened. Reviewing medical records with expert input helps families understand how these errors developed and why they matter in wrongful death claims.
How Corporate Negligence Could Affect Your Case
Large companies drive much of Houston’s economy, but their decisions also contribute to many wrongful death claims. Employers who cut safety measures or refineries that delay maintenance can put workers at risk of fatal accidents. The Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 71.004 explains who may bring a wrongful death claim, most often allowing spouses, children, or parents to file.
Corporate control over a site can also affect the evidence available after a death. Businesses may limit access to reports or decide which details are released publicly. For families already grieving, these obstacles can make the process even harder, which is why it helps to have someone on your side pushing to keep important information from being hidden.
When You May Have Grounds for a Wrongful Death Claim in Houston
Families in Houston may face wrongful death claims in many different situations, such as accidents at work or failures in medical care. A Houston catastrophic injury lawyer with Goff Law, PLLC, recognized as one of the Top Law Firms in the Metroplex, understands how these claims work when lives are lost. Here are some of the most common examples:
- Construction site accidents that expose workers to fatal falls or machinery failures
- Refinery or plant explosions that take lives in an instant
- Medical negligence that causes preventable deaths during treatment
- Trucking crashes on Houston highways that result in fatalities
- Violent incidents in bars, hotels, or other commercial spaces
- Defective products that create deadly hazards for consumers
- Workplace accidents where safety rules were ignored
- Fatal collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists on city streets
- Nursing home neglect that leads to loss of life
These types of incidents are the reason wrongful death claims exist in Texas courts. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 71.021 allows a survival action in certain cases, meaning claims can continue on behalf of the deceased’s estate. When this law applies, it gives families like yours the chance to pursue compensation even after the person who suffered is no longer here to speak for themselves.
Motorcycle Accidents Could Lead to a Wrongful Death Claim for Your Family
Houston traffic puts motorcyclists in constant danger, and collisions with larger vehicles often end in fatal injuries. Motorcycle accidents are a frequent cause of wrongful death claims across the city, and proving what happened requires careful attention to detail. As a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, our Houston motorcycle accident lawyer has handled these high-stakes cases and understands what families face after such a loss.
Compelling Evidence Matters in a Fatal Motorcycle Accident Claim
Video recordings and police reports are often the most persuasive proof in fatal motorcycle accident cases. Witness statements can confirm whether a driver failed to yield or crossed into another lane without looking, which helps explain how the crash became fatal. The Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 33.001 explains comparative responsibility, and the court may reduce damages if the evidence shows your loved one was assigned part of the blame.
Evidence can disappear, whether it is footage erased by a business or witnesses who later cannot be located. Families who secure these materials early are in a stronger position when the case reaches court. These details may be the difference between a claim that is dismissed and one that shows why your family deserves compensation.
What You Need to Know About How Houston Courts Handle Claims
When a wrongful death claim reaches court in Houston, judges often look at how the claim is filed and whether deadlines were met. Families generally have two years to file under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, but exceptions can shorten that window, especially if a government entity is involved. Missing these timelines can limit your case, so it is important to keep track of the exact dates tied to your loved one’s death.
Courts may also review how evidence was collected and whether the claim includes both wrongful death and survival actions. Texas law allows certain damages to be pursued through the estate under § 71.021, and combining these claims properly may change the result. Families who understand these court requirements are often in a better position to pursue the compensation they need.
Get Help From Your Wrongful Death Lawyer in Houston Today
