The death of a loved one because of a fatal accident is truly devastating. You not only deal with the emotional fallout from losing someone you love, but now you’re worried about final expenses, the medical care they received, and loss of income to your family. As the premiere San Antonio wrongful death attorneys, The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC, understands the emotional and financial devastation caused by a wrongful death, and we’re here to help. We have deep, hands-on knowledge of the laws surrounding wrongful death. We’re here to help families put the pieces back together. Schedule your free consultation now.
In San Antonio, wrongful death occurs when someone dies as the result of some type of accident or crime. A wrongful death causes extreme financial, mental, and emotional hardship for the survivors of the deceased. There are additional and unexpected expenses thrust upon the family. Examples include final expenses for a burial or cremation, final medical bills, and possibly even replacing a vehicle or other property. And what about the loss of income, both current and future?
Financial pressure isn’t the only issue faced by the family. Lack of companionship and love combined with grief are catastrophic. Spouses, parents, children, and even grandparents are just a few of the family members, and often administrators of the estate, who feel the most financial turmoil.
A wrongful death claim, a type of personal injury claim, can be filed by certain family members, known as the next of kin, to recoup losses that resulted from the death. While a loved one can’t be returned to your family, you may be able to hold the negligent party both legally and financially responsible for your loss.
There is a deadline in San Antonio and the rest of Texas to file a wrongful death claim. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. If the claim isn’t filed by the time the statute of limitations runs, you lose your legal right to it. Under Texas law, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is two years from the date of the death. For example, if your loved one was in a construction accident or car accident in May, but they didn’t pass away until December, the statute of limitations begins on the day that your loved one passed away.
It’s also important to note that if the next of kin or the deceased is a minor child, there can be other exceptions to the statute of limitations. It’s important that if you’re considering a wrongful death lawsuit that you contact The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC immediately. You don’t want to lose your legal rights to hold the negligent party responsible. The initial consultation is free.
Only certain individuals qualify to file a wrongful death claim in Texas under our state law. First, there are certain family members who are allowed to file a wrongful death claim. These family members include:
Survivors of a non-marital relationship, such as a fiancé or domestic partner, are not eligible to file a wrongful death claim with an insurance company. This family member may file individual wrongful death claims or file joint or group claims. However, if the family does not file the claim within three months, the personal representative, also known as the executor, of the estate may then file the claim.
In San Antonio and the surrounding areas, the accidents that make up the common causes of wrongful death claims include:
For more than 20 years, our San Antonio personal injury lawyers have provided legal advice and representation for wrongful death victims in San Antonio and the surrounding area. With previous experience in insurance defense, we know what it takes to help families like yours. Schedule your free consultation now.
Following legal action, financial compensation is available to wrongful death family members who have a successful claim. While there are many factors that determine the success of the claim along with the financial compensation types and amount, some of the financial recovery includes both economic (monetary) and non-economic damages. Examples include:
The types and amounts of wrongful death compensation are fact-specific. Schedule your free case review with a San Antonio wrongful death lawyer now.
The simple answer is that the person, persons, entity, or entities responsible for the wrongful death can be held responsible. However, that’s not always easy to determine depending on the fatal accidents that occurred.
Experienced San Antonio wrongful death lawyers, such as those with The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC, play an important role in assisting the family of the victim. The right attorney will help ensure that all the evidence necessary to prove the claim is accounted for and preserved. A good attorney will also be mindful of the legal deadlines associated with your claim.
Our legal team of accident lawyers in San Antonio has over two decades of wrongful death case experience. We pride ourselves in helping the survivors of a wrongful death claims. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation.
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