Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer
When a loved one is lost in a sudden accident, it can be devastating. It can be even more tragic when their death was caused by someone else’s negligence or violence.
If you lost a loved one in an accident or in an act of violence, the Houston wrongful death attorneys at Lerner & Rowe can help you hold those responsible financially accountable. While no amount of money can bring your loved one back, it can help alleviate any financial burdens caused by their loss and ensure that justice is served.
Our Houston law firm has helped thousands of families recover wrongful death compensation, and we can do the same for you. Contact us 24/7 to schedule a free legal consultation to learn more.
What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death in Houston?
A wrongful death is any death caused by the negligence or wrongful actions of another party. The accidents may be unintentional or intentional.
Wrongful deaths may occur after one of the following.
Auto Accidents
In 2019, there were 251 traffic-related fatalities in Houston. Since auto accident fatalities have increased recently in the city, Houston has announced a ‘Vision Zero’ plan aimed to eliminate fatal crashes by 2030.
In addition to drivers and passengers in cars and trucks, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to being severely injured or dying in an auto crash.
If an accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Medical Malpractice
It is estimated that 250,000 Americans die from medical errors every year.
Medical malpractice may include:
- Surgical mistakes
- Failure to diagnose a disease or medical condition
- Delayed diagnosis
- Misdiagnosis
- Treatment errors
- Unsanitary practices that cause infection
Violence
Intentional acts of violence, including homicides and murders, may be considered wrongful deaths and prosecuted under criminal law.
Family members of the victim may receive retribution in the form of financial compensation, as well as jail time and penalties for the defendant.
Work-Related Accidents
Thousands of American workers die every year in work-related accidents and illnesses. These may include:
- Falls from heights
- Accidents involving heavy machinery and equipment
- Crane accidents
- Electrocution accidents
- Burn injuries
- Illnesses from exposure to toxic chemicals and substances, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, skin cancer, and more
- Work-related auto accidents
Who is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?
Wrongful death lawsuits can be filed by immediate surviving family members. This only includes the spouse, children (minors and adults), and parents of the deceased.
In order to file a lawsuit, the deceased must have died due to another’s negligence and wrongful actions. Even deaths resulting from unintentional accidents and negligent behaviors may qualify for a lawsuit.
Types of Compensation for a Houston Wrongful Death
In addition to facing unmeasurable grief, families are also often left with financial burdens when their loved one passes. If the deceased was the primary earner in your family, the sudden loss in income can disrupt your entire family and way of living.
While legal action cannot bring your loved one back, it may help alleviate some of these financial burdens.
A wrongful death lawsuit may help you recover the following types of compensation:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral and memorial expenses
- Loss of estimated future earnings
- Loss of estimated future inheritance
- Loss of support, including counsel and daily household assistance
- Loss of companionship and love
The Benefits of Hiring a Houston Wrongful Death Law Firm
After a sudden death in your family, the last thing you may want to think about is holding the negligent parties accountable for their wrongdoing. Our Houston wrongful death lawyers can handle this process for you so you can focus on your family.
Lerner & Rowe’s Houston lawyers can assist with the following:
- Investigating the circumstances of your loved one’s death: Sometimes it may be unclear who was responsible for your family member’s death. Our wrongful death law firm can investigate the events leading up to their fatal injury or illness to help identify who may be held liable. We may consult medical records, medical and other subject matter experts, surveillance footage, accident reports, and more.
- Collecting relevant records and evidence to support your claim: After our Houston wrongful death attorneys have investigated the accident, they will gather all relevant evidence that shows what and who caused your loved one’s death. This is essential when pursuing compensation.
- Handling all correspondence and administrative tasks: While you focus your time with your family, our Houston legal team will handle all of the paperwork, communication with insurance adjusters, and similar tasks on your behalf.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Sometimes insurance companies may try to offer a lower settlement than what your case may be worth. Our wrongful death lawyers will help you fight back against these low offers and negotiate for a settlement amount that fairly compensates your family for your current and future losses.
- Representing you in a trial: If an insurance company refuses to agree on a fair settlement, our Houston trial attorneys can represent you in court to fight for a favorable verdict.
Why Hire Lerner & Rowe?
Lerner & Rowe has helped thousands of families facing life-changing injuries and unexpected loss. We have recovered multiple multi-million dollar wrongful death verdicts and settlements. Our Houston attorneys will fight hard on your behalf to obtain justice, guiding you through every step of litigation.
To see if you may qualify for compensation, contact our Houston wrongful death lawyers at any time for a free legal consultation. Call us at 281-222-2222 or fill out an online form to talk with someone from our team.