Losing someone you know is always tough, but it’s even more devastating when someone else’s lack of care or caution could have prevented their death. Do you suspect that a friend or family member’s death resulted from someone else’s actions or negligence? A Houston wrongful death lawyer can assist you in holding the perpetrator accountable.
At Gibson Hill Personal Injury, our team of veteran, compassionate wrongful death attorneys are here to help you get the peace of mind you want. You can speak with a knowledgeable Houston personal injury lawyer team member about your wrongful death claim 24/7. Call us today at (713) 659-4000 for a free consultation. And remember – you don’t pay unless we win your personal injury case because we work on a contingency fee basis.
Why Hire a Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer?
If you’re dealing with the emotional devastation of the unexpected loss of a loved one, considering legal action is likely not the first thought that crosses your mind. However, we strongly advise you to consult with an attorney about your options if someone’s recklessness, carelessness, or intentional act caused your loved one’s death.
Wrongful death claims are startlingly common in the United States. For example, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported nearly 34,000 fatal car crashes nationwide in 2018. Many of these crashes are the result of an impaired or negligent driver. That can be cause for a wrongful death suit. There are countless other ways individuals can lose their lives prematurely. Defective pharmaceuticals, hazardous conditions on other people’s property, defective products, workplace accidents, and more.
How Long Do I Have to File Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death action can’t bring your loved one back, but its significance cannot be overstated. You may have suffered significant financial losses, not to mention the profound mental and emotional anguish you’re experiencing. A Houston wrongful death attorney can investigate your wrongful death claim, identify responsible parties, assess potential compensation, and advocate for your case as you grieve. Acting swiftly is crucial; in Texas, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is two years. An attorney can expedite your case and secure your rightful compensation.
Wrongful-death cases are filed in civil court. While a drunk driver may face a DUI charge or something similar in the event of a crash, it’s up to the police and local prosecutors to file criminal charges. While you may receive damages if you file a successful wrongful death lawsuit, the only penalties to the perpetrator will be financial. The criminal court system determines if additional penalties like jail time are merited.
Why Hire Gibson Hill Personal Injury Law Firm?
Our team has extensive experience handling wrongful death cases in Houston. We understand the depth of your loss and why these cases are so personal. That is why our attorneys are empathetic, communicative, and thorough. We’re here to provide the legal support you deserve after a personal loss. We’ll help you understand your case and options, and we’re dogged to pursue your rightful compensation.
Our drive to help our clients in wrongful death cases returns to our firm’s founding. Co-founder Ty Gibson began handling personal injury cases while in law school. That initial passion led to his work at Gibson Hill Personal Injury. Gibson and our other attorneys know how emotionally fraught these cases can be. So they emphasize open, clear communication with our clients. Gibson’s strong track record of success earned him a spot on the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40.
What our clients say
Need more proof of our dedication and results? Here’s what one client had to say: “After my accident, I contacted Gibson Hill PC and hired Brett Hill to represent me in a rear-end collision case. Mr. Hill handled everything professionally and kept everything 100% stress-free for me. All of my medical expenses were paid for, including surgery.”
Another client wrote after we represented them in a truck accident case: “I am an attorney and wanted the best. … I saw Brett in court one day, was impressed with his trial abilities, and consulted with him. My main concern was getting my case moving along. I had severe injuries in my cervical spine and was not working and needed medical attention to my injuries, and I needed to get this case moving fast. … I expressed this concern to Brett; that is exactly what he did. He got the case moving forward fast. I was extremely pleased with his representation during the case and would definitely recommend him to other people.”
Wrongful Death Cases We Handle
A wrongful death suit is a civil court matter. Texas statutes state that you may be entitled to compensation if someone you know died due to another person’s actions, carelessness, neglect, or recklessness. Many circumstances could result in a wrongful death. Workplace accidents or negligence, car and truck accidents, physical assault, and so on. Here are some of the wrongful-death cases we handle at Gibson Hill Personal Injury:
Car accidents
If your loved one died because of a drunk or negligent driver, the other driver may be liable for damages. This includes collisions between multiple vehicles and pedestrian crashes. Contact one of our car accident lawyers to discuss your case details.
Truck accidents
Like car accidents, truck drivers can be held liable in fatal crashes, especially if the truck drivers were impaired or negligent. Major trucking companies, with their large legal teams, underscore the importance of hiring a truck accident lawyer if you plan to pursue a wrongful death suit.
Industrial and construction site accidents
Mishandling heavy industrial machinery and construction equipment presents significant dangers. These machines imperil not only operators but also nearby individuals. Breakdowns from inadequate maintenance, chemical explosions, and worker negligence can lead to injuries or fatalities. These incidents may warrant a wrongful death lawsuit. Contact a
Negligence Resulting in Wrongful Death
Medical errors, especially during surgeries, are disturbingly common. A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine estimated that medical errors may be the third-highest cause of death in the United States. Medical errors include adverse medication effects, surgical injuries, surgeries done at the wrong site on the body, misdiagnoses, improper transfusions, under- and over-treatment of a patient’s illness, mistaken patient identities, and more.
There are different types of damages you may be able to collect in a wrongful death case.
Financial damages can help you pay for various expenses in the wake of a death. This includes:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Final medical bills
- Loss of financial support
Non-financial damages cover losses that are harder to quantify but are nonetheless important.
Non-financial damages compensate for things like:
- Emotional pain and anguish
- Lost emotional support
- Lost inheritance
An experienced wrongful death lawyer, like those at Gibson Hill Personal Injury, will carefully examine your case to ensure you get all the different types of compensation you’re eligible to receive. In rare cases, you could be entitled to punitive damages in a Texas wrongful-death suit. A judge or jury may award punitive damages to punish or make an example from a defendant. Especially if the person due to a willful act or extreme negligence.
How Often Do Fatal Accidents Occur in Texas?
Unfortunately, fatal accidents caused by the poor decisions of others are quite common across the U.S., and Texas is no exception.
Some figures show that:
- 13,000 people died in drunk-driving crashes in Texas from 2003-2012, according to the CDC.
- That same CDC study reported that 2.1 percent of Texans said they had driven after drinking too much. With nearly 15.5 million licensed drivers in Texas as of 2013, that means about 310,000 Texas drivers have admitted to driving while intoxicated.
- The high rate of drunk-driving deaths significantly elevates Texas’ overall death rate compared to the national average. As of 2012, the average death rate for people in the U.S. ages 21-34 was 6.7 people out of every 100,000. In Texas, the rate was 10 people out of every 100,000. If you break down the data by gender, it looks even worse. In 2012, the U.S. average death rate for men was 5.2 out of every 100,000, while for women it was 1.5 per 100,000. In Texas, the death rate in 2012 was 7.6 men out of every 100,000 and 2.4 women out of every 100,000.
What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Case and a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
- Nature: A wrongful death case refers to a wrongful death claim or legal action seeking compensation for losses, while a wrongful death lawsuit is a formal legal proceeding filed in court.
- Resolution: Houston wrongful death cases can be resolved through negotiations and settlements, whereas wrongful death lawsuits may result in a court judgment following a trial.
- Complexity: Wrongful death lawsuits involve formal legal procedures, including court filings and potentially a trial, making them more complex and time-consuming than wrongful death cases.
Regardless of whether you are pursuing a wrongful death case or a wrongful death lawsuit in Houston, it is essential to consult with experienced Houston wrongful death attorneys who can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve for your loss.
Contact a Houston Wrongful Death Attorney
Did you lose a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or an intentional act? If so, know that you and your family are not alone. You have the right to demand answers and fair compensation for your loss, and an experienced Houston personal injury attorney can assist you in seeking the justice your family deserves.
To speak with an understanding and knowledgeable member of the Gibson Hill Personal Injury team about your situation, contact us at (713) 659-4000 today. We’re ready to bring our compassionate, thorough, proactive approach to your case. Let us help you and your loved ones in your time of need.
