Wrongful Death
Corpus Christi Wrongful Death Attorney
Losing a loved one in a preventable accident can be absolutely devastating. While you are coping with the intense emotional pain, your family and finances can be thrown into chaos. The emotional trauma of a sudden loss can make it impossible for you to quickly return to work, and your children or grandchildren may miss a significant amount of school. Handling your tragedy on a personal level can be overwhelming, but families can also be burdened unpaid medical bills and funeral expenses, not to mention the loss of income from the family member who died.
If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless acts of another party, you may be legally entitled to financial compensation. At Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorney, our attorney treat clients with the utmost respect, and we will handle your case with dignity and compassion. We understand that no legal action can ever make up for your family member’s passing, but you should not be burdened with unmanageable debt in your time of loss. We are ready to help you secure any monetary recompense you are legally due so that you and your family can mourn without the added trouble of financial distress.
Cases We Handle
Our compassionate wrongful death attorney have substantial experience representing the family members of those lost in preventable accidents. We understand that you have already gone through unspeakable trauma before you ever walk into our office, so we prioritize making the legal process as easy, swift, and stress-free as possible. We are equipped to handle a variety of wrongful death cases including those that were caused by:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Plant / refinery accidents
- Construction accidents
- Oilfield accidents
- Maritime law
- Bus accidents
- Dangerous toys
- Workplace accidents
- Amusement park accidents
- Defective products
Whatever the specifics of your situation, our knowledgeable legal team is prepared to seek justice for your loved one by holding the responsible party accountable.
Injury-Related Death in the United States
Every year, far too many families lose someone to accidents that never should have occurred. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) annually gathers data about injury-related deaths. In 2014 alone there were:
- 135,928 deaths caused by unintentional injury
- 31,959 deaths caused by unintentional falls
- 33,736 deaths caused by motor vehicle traffic accidents
Automotive accidents account for a disturbingly large amount of deaths. The numbers from the CDC can be supplemented by statistics from the National Safety Council (NSC). The NSC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating preventable deaths. Their research reveals that negligence and recklessness continue to cause an unacceptable number of car accidents.
The NSC surveyed eligible adults about their driving behavior, and many people indicated that they engage in dangerous habits. For example:
- 64% of people said they were comfortable driving at speeds exceeding the posted limit
- 47% of people said they were comfortable texting while driving
- 13% of people said they were comfortable driving while impaired by marijuana
- 10% of people said they were comfortable driving after having too much alcohol
Statistically, the number of drivers who consider is acceptable to operate a vehicle while impaired, distracted, exhausted, or angry contribute to the number of crashes. The NSC records that there were 40,200 motor vehicle deaths in 2016. That’s a 6% increase from the 37,757 deaths in 2014.
The Texas Wrongful Death Act
According to Texas law, a wrongful death claim can be filed when one party’s “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default” cause someone else’s death. It is important to realize that a wrongful death case does not need to hinge on a malicious or calculated action. Even if someone unintentionally causes the accident that resulted in the death of your loved one, that person can, and should, be held legally responsible.
For example, consider the possible causes of a fatal car crash. A distracted driver might have swerved into oncoming traffic while texting. A negligent car manufacturer might have failed to properly test a new brake system, resulting in a malfunction at a crucial moment. A road construction crew might have carelessly forgotten to put up sufficient signage indicating dangerous conditions. In each of these cases, negligence, not malice, caused the accident. The law could order the negligent party to give compensation to the families of the victims.
A wrongful death claim differs from a criminal homicide case, though the two may proceed through the courts in conjunction with the same incident. A criminal homicide case is brought against the accused by the prosecuting attorney’s office on behalf of the government and the victims. A guilty verdict in a criminal homicide case results in punitive measures for the accused such as jail time.
On the other hand, a wrongful death claim is brought against the responsible party by the family members of the victim, and that party may be compelled by the courts to pay monetary damages to the family. Even in civil claims, however, punitive damages may be levied against the responsible party, but almost only in mass tort cases or when the defendant is the representative of a company.
In Texas, only certain family members are able to pursue a wrongful death case for the loss of their loved one. These family members are:
- A spouse
- A child or children
- A parent or parents
Under Texas law, siblings are not eligible for wrongful death suits. Adult children can still file a suit for the loss of their parents, and children who were adopted can pursue a case concerning the loss of their adoptive parents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death
We understand that losing a loved one can fill you with uncertainty and doubt as you grapple with overwhelming questions. Some questions are more difficult to answer than others, but we have compiled a short list of common questions and their answers below. Please feel free to contact a compassionate legal professional at 361-888-8808 with any other questions you might have.
Why should I seek compensation?
When you are coping with a family tragedy, filing a law suit is probably the last thing on your mind. Dealing with courts and attorney can sound like added stress to an already overwhelming situation. However, if you lost your loved one because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you could secure enough compensation to keep your family financially stable through this crisis. Many people find themselves overcome with financial distress as they face funeral expenses and hospital bills. If your loved one was a significant financial provider, your family might lose a substantial amount of income. It is unjust for you to suffer financially because someone else’s irresponsible actions left you without your loved one. Seeking compensation can mean handling otherwise unpayable debts.
Why should I choose Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorney?
Our compassionate wrongful death attorney understand that you are already experiencing enough pain and anxiety. We strive to make the legal process as easy as possible by communicating clearly and respectfully with all of our clients. Additionally, we focus on securing the maximum amount of compensation for you as swiftly as we can. We know that you are handling so many uncertainties; we want to wrap up your case as quickly as possible so that you can focus on other issues like your family’s well-being and mourning. Our attorney is ready to shoulder the weight of your legal case, fighting to get your family the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.
What kind of compensation can my family receive?
While no sum of money can compensate for the loss of your loved one, a successful wrongful death case can leave you with enough funds to secure financial independence for your family. With the help of a skilled attorney, you can seek fair recompense for things such as:
- Medical bills
- Funeral expenses
- Counselling
- Anguish, pain, and suffering
- Past and future lost wages
- Loss of comfort, companionship, and care
Receiving the funds to cover some or all of your current expenses can mean relieving your family of a severe source of stress and anxiety during an exceptionally trying time.
Contact Us
Losing a family member to natural or expected causes is terrible enough. Having to experience the unspeakable shock and pain of losing a loved one suddenly, in a preventable accident, can be almost unbearable. The emotional suffering would be difficult enough to handle, but you can also find yourself in a dire financial position. Unpaid medical expenses, funeral costs, and the loss of a provider in your household can send you into debt.
If you lost someone you love in a preventable accident, you might be legally due financial compensation to help you with unanticipated costs. At Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorney, our compassionate wrongful death attorney is ready to shoulder your legal burdens. We are prepared to respectfully fight to get justice for your loved one and to secure the monetary recompense you need. Contact us today at 361-888-8808 to speak with a caring legal professional about how we can help you.