Goff Law Icon | Attorney in Dallas, TX for Personal Injury, Accidents, Sexual Assault, and Brain Injury

Dallas Wrongful Death Attorney

Dallas Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing someone you love in an avoidable accident is the kind of pain that lingers. It is hard to know what to do when you are left with questions, stress, and the weight of it all.  If you need to talk about what happened, your Dallas wrongful death lawyer with Goff Law, PLLC is ready to listen and guide you through what comes next. Since 2023, our team has recovered over $1 million for injury victims and grieving families throughout the state. Your Dallas personal injury attorney is available when you are ready. Just contact us to get started.

How a Wrongful Death Claim Works When You Have Lost Someone You Love

When someone passes away because of another person’s choices, it disrupts every part of life. You might find yourself handling unexpected responsibilities while trying to support others who are grieving. We help families understand what to expect and how to protect their rights from the start.

Why the Legal Process Involves Different Standards

Wrongful death cases involve specific rules about who can file a claim and how the case must be handled. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.004, a surviving spouse, child, or parent may bring a wrongful death action in civil court. There is also a time limit. According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003(b), you are typically allowed two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. If that deadline passes, the court will likely dismiss the case, no matter how strong the evidence may be.

How the Loss of a Loved One Affects More Than One Person

The death of a loved one often affects everyone in the home. A spouse may lose help with daily routines or childcare. Children may need extra support to manage school, activities, or emotional changes. Bills might be piling up, especially if your loved one was the main source of income. You could be facing tough choices about work, childcare, or medical coverage that used to be shared. We take the time to fully understand how your family’s lives have been affected so we can demand maximum compensation from those responsible.

1 Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Dallas, TX

Who Is Legally Responsible When Someone’s Death Could Have Been Prevented

Some deaths happen because someone made a careless decision. Other times, several people or companies share the blame. To help you understand where responsibility may fall, here are a few examples of people or entities that may be held liable under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.002:

  • Drunk or Reckless Drivers
  • Commercial Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies
  • Employers Who Ignore Safety Rules
  • Contractors Who Cut Corners On Job Sites
  • Manufacturers Of Unsafe Or Defective Products
  • Event Organizers Who Overlook Crowd Safety
  • Businesses That Lack Proper Security Measures

 

You do not have to guess who was at fault or where to begin. We will examine the details and determine how each party contributed to what happened. Wrongful death claims in Texas give families the right to bring a case when a person’s death was caused by someone else’s carelessness or misconduct.

1 How a Lawyer Can Help With Amazon Truck Accidents in Dallas, TX

What Situations Most Often Lead to Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Texas

Not every fatal accident qualifies as a wrongful death case, but many do. These lawsuits usually come up when someone violates a safety rule or acts carelessly. Over time, we have seen certain patterns in how these tragedies happen.

Car and truck accidents remain one of the most common sources of wrongful death cases in Texas. Whether it is texting at the wheel, drifting into another lane, or ignoring a red light, these choices can take someone’s life in an instant. Our firm has worked with families affected by drunk driving, speeding, and reckless behavior on highways and local roads. If your loved one was killed in a car accident or truck accident, we can help you understand what your rights may be and who should be held responsible.

Unsafe work environments can quickly become deadly when companies do not follow proper safety measures. That might include broken equipment, poor training, missing signage, or rushed timelines that put workers at risk. Many work injury cases involve contractors or businesses that cut corners or ignore red flags. Under Texas Labor Code § 408.001, some families may have a claim even if workers’ compensation is involved. We can help you understand how state law applies to your situation and whether your case qualifies.

Mistakes in hospitals, clinics, or emergency rooms can have serious consequences. A missed diagnosis, incorrect medication, or surgical error can all result in wrongful death if the care did not meet basic safety standards. We have also seen cases where a delay in treatment caused someone’s condition to become fatal. Whether it was due to miscommunication, undertrained staff, or carelessness, medical providers may be held accountable if they failed to act when they should have.

Defective products can be deadly, especially when they involve children’s items, kitchen appliances, or electric tools. In some cases, the problem starts with poor design. Other times, it comes from a failure to include proper instructions or safety warnings. Companies are expected to test their products before they reach you. When they do not, and someone loses their life because of it, the manufacturer or distributor may be legally responsible. These cases require detailed investigation and product-specific evidence, which your Dallas product liability lawyer can help gather and review.

A wrongful death claim can help your family recover some of what was taken from you. While no amount of money replaces the person you loved, the law gives you a way to ease the strain and hold others accountable. In Texas, there are several types of compensation that may apply, depending on your situation. Here are some of the damages that may apply in a wrongful death case:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Medical bills from treatment before death
  • Lost wages and employment benefits
  • Loss of companionship and guidance
  • Emotional pain and suffering
  • Loss of childcare or caregiving support
  • Mental health services for the surviving family
  • Loss of future inheritance or retirement savings
  • Replacement of household services
  • Loss of protection, care, or support within the home 

Every family feels this kind of loss in their own way, and your story matters. We will take the time to understand what has changed for you and your loved ones so we can demand the support you are owed. Wrongful death compensation is addressed in Texas Estates Code § 201.001, which goes over how losses can be shared among surviving family members.

Wrongful death cases are never simple. There is grief, stress, and sometimes tension between family members who each want something different. We focus on the legal side of things so you can focus on taking care of yourself and the people around you.

Family members do not always agree on what to do. Some may want to take legal action right away. Others might worry it will cause more tension or bring up things they are not ready to deal with. We explain who can bring a claim and how these cases typically move forward in Texas. That way, you know what your options are without any pressure.

Insurers often offer quick payouts to try to close the case before the family understands what they are entitled to. These offers are usually much lower than what the case is actually worth. Under Texas Insurance Code § 542.003, insurance companies are expected to handle claims fairly and avoid unnecessary delays. If they fail to meet those standards, we are ready to hold them accountable and push for the compensation your family needs.

Contact Your Dallas Wrongful Death Lawyer