Wrongful Death

Protect your family and ensure justice for the untimely passing of your loved one.

The death of a loved one brings many challenges for survivors. Not only do families suffer emotionally from the loss, they are also faced with financial burdens. While no amount of money can heal a broken heart after a loved one is gone, families shouldn’t have to face financial hardships associated with wrongful death if the cause was the recklessness of another person. The experienced Houston personal injury attorneys at Mejias Lindsay PLLC work with families who have lost loved ones in a wrongful death by protecting their rights and obtaining financial compensation.

What Is A Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death occurs when the negligence or recklessness of another person causes a death. The surviving family of the victim is legally allowed to seek compensation from the negligent party or parties. However, it is important to note that wrongful death lawsuits are civil actions, not criminal, but a separate criminal action could be brought against the negligent party as well.

How Does Wrongful Death Happen?

There are a variety of situations in which a wrongful death can occur. Some of the most common causes of wrongful death include:

• Car or Truck Accidents – Millions of people are killed in car and truck accidents each year. Anytime a driver gets behind the wheel, they need to obey the rules of the road and adhere to state and federal laws. Things like distracted driving, driving under the influence, fatigued driving, or driving recklessly could have devastating consequences.
• Medical Malpractice – Although we rely on doctors to keep us healthy and help us get better, medical providers make mistakes. If a doctor fails to uphold the appropriate standard of care and harms a patient, he or she can be held responsible.
• Workplace Accidents – Texas has no shortage of workplace accidents with the booming construction and oil and gas industries. However, any workplace has the potential to cause severe accidents if employers fail to adhere to strict safety standards.

Determining Fault

Often the accidents that cause a wrongful death are complex, and will require an investigation to understand what happened. An experienced wrongful death lawyer will be able to reconstruct the accident, interview witnesses, and investigate the past history of the parties involved to help determine fault. They can then coordinate with the police and any insurance companies. Because a successful investigation is often time-sensitive, it’s important to reach out to a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible so they can begin investigating.

Types of Compensation

There are many types of compensation a family can pursue after a wrongful death to help mitigate the financial burden of the loss. Families can seek compensation for any medical treatment, pain and suffering, and/or loss of enjoyment of life the deceased experienced prior to passing on. In addition, families can also seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income to the family, and loss of the value of life. While legal action is not the foremost concern after a wrongful death, seeking compensation for the fate of the deceased can help mitigate some of these financial burdens.

What To Do After A Wrongful Death

It is crucial to partner with an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible after a death because state law limits the amount of time the survivors have to file a lawsuit. It might be challenging to think of filing a lawsuit while you are still grieving, but it is necessary to give you the best chance to receive justice through compensation.

The longer you wait to file a lawsuit, the more likely crucial evidence to support your claim disappears. Safety crews will clean up after motor vehicle accidents, witnesses will forget what they saw and heard, and in some cases, defendants might actually destroy evidence incriminating them. An attorney can help prevent the destruction of evidence and preserve it to help you with your claim.

Why Hire A Wrongful Death Lawyer?

The complexity of a wrongful death claim requires an experienced legal team with a track record of success. Many claims involve large businesses or insurance companies who will do anything to mitigate payout. Hiring a wrongful death lawyer will ensure someone fights for your legal rights while you deal with your loss. If you lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence, call Mejias Lindsay PLLC today. We can help you understand your legal options and pursue all avenues of compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation in either English or Spanish.