The death of someone you love is devastating under any circumstances. It may be difficult for you to move forward knowing this person is no longer in your life, and it may take months or years for you to heal fully. The pain of this loss may seem even worse when you know that the circumstances which caused your loved one’s death could have been prevented. However, you do not have to just accept these consequences. Under wrongful death law, you have the right to fight back and bring justice to the person who harmed your loved one. Although you cannot undo the emotional pain you are struggling with, you should not also have the face the financial burden of this death, that was caused by another person’s negligent or reckless actions. A wrongful death lawsuit can help begin your healing process, as not only will you know that person a fault will face the consequences of their actions, but you may also receive needed help with expenses for the following days, weeks, and even years.
The personal injury lawyers at The Benton Law Firm understand the emotional distress and turmoil you must be facing, and we are prepared to support you through this difficult time. We are ready to help you begin to pick up the pieces of this accident so that you can move forward in your life. Our experienced attorneys have faced countless wrongful death lawsuits and will help you make a strong case in defense of your loved one. You may be entitled to monetary compensation to help you manage the financial losses you are facing. Dealing with the death of a loved one is undoubtedly difficult, but you do not have to face this alone.
Cases We Handle
When other people are behaving in a manner that is dangerous or careless, it places everyone around them at great risk. Not only can they cause serious harm to others, but their actions may even result in another person’s death. Reckless behavior in a multitude of different situations may lead to another person’s death, and many factors must be taken into account when determining how and why this death occurred. Our attorneys are prepared to work with you in several different circumstances that may have caused your loved one’s death. The most common of these include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Drivers throughout the state of Texas must operate their vehicles according to traffic laws, including driving the speed limit, keeping free of distractions, and ensuring all parts of their vehicle are up to date. Drivers have a responsibility to safeguard against injury to any person on the road, whether that be another driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
- Slip and fall accidents or premises liability: As a home or business owner, you have a duty to ensure that your property is free from any defects that can lead to injuries. If your property has a dangerous defect, you must let anyone visiting your property be aware of the defect.
- Medical malpractice: We trust our lives to healthcare professionals who have a duty to provide treatment and care in accordance with certain medical standards. If your healthcare professional failed to meet these standards, you have a potential claim against the doctor, hospital, and other healthcare professional responsible for any injuries.
- Workplace accidents: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) carefully examines workplaces to ensure they comply with safety standards. Any violations can lead to liability against your loved one’s employer for any injuries they received at their workplace, resulting in wrongful death.
- Defective products and products liability cases: Manufacturers and distributors have a duty of care to ensure that any defective products do not make their way into the stream of commerce. Any potential injury or death that can result from a product must be clearly labeled on the product as a warning.
- Criminal acts: Violent acts such as assault or homicide are prosecuted in criminal court, but the family can additionally seek compensation in civil court for the loss of their loved one.
In each of these cases, another person failed to behave appropriately, and this led to disaster. When filing a wrongful death lawsuit, it is essential to gather all of the facts of your case, to definitively indicate the fault. Our legal team is experienced in working with even the most complex of these cases to ensure that we make a strong legal case in your favor. The person responsible for your loved one’s death should not be allowed to escape the consequences of their actions, and we are prepared to stop them.
Wrongful Death in Texas
Deaths that are caused by negligent behavior occur around the country at an alarming rate. In many cases, the exact number of deaths that are considered “wrongful” is unknown, due to the complex nature of these situations. However, the most accurate measure of wrongful deaths may be determined by deaths caused by preventable or accidental circumstances.
One of the most common of these circumstances where death occurs is traffic accidents. Many people across Texas must drive every day and must travel far to pass through the state. Unfortunately, this means that there are a significant number of accidents and fatalities that occur on the road. In 2014, there were over 3,500 traffic fatalities, which averages out to one death every two and a half hours throughout the year. Of these accidents nearly 500 of the individuals killed were motorcyclists, and another 500 individuals were killed in auto-pedestrian accidents. A large majority of these accidents were caused by distracted driving or driving while intoxicated.
Along with a high number of traffic accident fatalities, Texas leads the nation in the highest number of workplace fatalities. Many of these accidents occur on construction sites, oil-mining fields, and within refineries and are caused by transportation-related accidents or falling object accidents. In 2014, Texas reported almost 500 on-the-job fatalities, which was the highest number in the nation. Although ongoing work is being done to make Texas job sites safer for workers, these numbers are still alarmingly high and indicate a large number of wrongful deaths occurring throughout the state.
Our Record of Success
When filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you need to know that you can rely on your attorney to make sure that the job is done right. An outcome in your favor can help you support yourself and your family if you are facing significant medical bills, loss of income, or other expenses after your loved one’s death. You should not entrust your case to any firm that does not give you the personal attention you need and deserve at this time. Our lawyers at The Benton Law Firm understand the importance of your case and will dedicate ourselves to making sure we offer you appropriate guidance and support throughout the legal process. We believe our record speaks for itself to indicate our high rate of success and our strong commitment to our clients.
In the past, we have helped settle number of cases worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The compensation each of our clients received allowed them to recover from their accidents without the significant financial burden they would otherwise face. e are fully prepared to make a case on behalf of your deceased loved one, to protect you and your family from undue financial losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that your time is limited after your loved one has been wrongfully killed due to the negligence of another party. For these situations, we’ve compiled a few of the questions many of our clients ask us. While it’s best you speak to an attorney in person, we know that sometimes you have a question that needs to be answered immediately.
What Types of Compensation Can I Seek?
After the death of a loved one, you may be facing a multitude of different types of expenses. These may be difficult for you and your family to manage alone, which is why it is important to seek compensation. You may be able to receive compensation for several immediate and short-term expenses you may be facing following your loved one’s death, as well as for long-term expenses that this death has caused. Some of the most common forms of compensation individuals seek include:
- Compensation for medical bills
- Funeral costs
- Psychological therapy costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of income
- Loss of parental, child, or spousal services
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to receive any or all of these forms of compensation. An attorney can best assist you in understanding the extent of your loss and what the lawsuit may be able to offer you and your family.
Why do I need an Attorney?
The legal proceedings for a wrongful death lawsuit are often long and complex. You should not have to face this alone while you and your family are grieving the loss of a loved one. An attorney will not only make this process easier on you, but they will also be able to help ensure you follow each of the necessary steps and have appropriate evidence to support your case. This can mean the difference between gaining justice and allowing the individual at fault to walk away free. Even if you believe that you can make a case on your own, the advice and guidance of a legal counselor can only make your efforts more successful.
Losing a Loved One: What You Need to Know About Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
How Much Will Hiring an Attorney Cost?
Many families do not pursue a wrongful death lawsuit because they believe that they cannot afford the costs of hiring an attorney. This keeps hundreds of deserving families from receiving the compensation they need during this difficult time. For this reason, The Benton Law Firm guarantees that you will not pay us anything unless we win your case. Additionally, we offer your first consultation free of charge, so there is no risk to you in learning your rights and understanding the facts of your case. Finances should not prevent anyone from receiving justice, and we are prepared to help.
Contact Us
If your loved one died due to another person’s reckless or negligent acts, you have the right to take action and fight back. Whether you wish to understand your rights after wrongful death better, or you have decided to pursue a lawsuit, our legal team at The Benton Law Firm will be with you every step of the way. To set up your free consultation, contact us at (214) 777-7777 today or visit our home page to learn more about other injury cases we handle.