Losing somebody that you love is an incredible challenge. This is particularly true if your loved one lost their life as a result of the negligent or intentional actions of another person or entity. At Hill Law Firm, our team is here to help if you need an Austin wrongful death attorney by your side. We have the resources necessary to fully investigate every aspect of these claims, and we want to make sure that your family recovers the closure and compensation you are entitled to.
Why Choose Hill Law Firm for Your Austin Wrongful Death Case?
- At Hill Law Firm, we strive to provide a client-centered approach to every case that we take. We listen to our clients so we can provide the best experience possible.
- We offer compassionate assistance to family members who are going through the difficult process of mourning a loved one.
- We have recovered significant settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of clients and families throughout the state of Texas.
How Can an Austin Wrongful Death Lawyer Help My Claim?
Wrongful death cases are incredibly challenging, particularly for families who are still going through the grieving process. A skilled wrongful death lawyer in Austin can step in and handle every aspect of these claims on behalf of families and estates. This will include conducting a complete investigation into the incident, determining liability, and handling all communication with other parties.
Importantly, a wrongful death attorney will compassionately assist family members and explain the entire process to them while the claim is ongoing. A lawyer will fully prepare to take the case all the way to trial if necessary to ensure the family members are treated fairly by all parties involved and that they recover the compensation they need.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims arise in a wide variety of ways in the state of Texas. Under state law, wrongful death occurs anytime the injury that led to death was caused by another individual or entity’s “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.” Wrongful death claims can also be filed if the injured person would have been able to file a personal injury lawsuit had they survived the incident (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 71.001 to 71.003 (2021).)
These claims can arise in a wide variety of ways throughout this state. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Car accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Medical mistakes
- Nursing home abuse
- Dog bite or animal attack incidents
- Premises liability incidents
- Defective products
- Maritime accidents
This is certainly not an all-inclusive list of the ways that wrongful death claims arise throughout Texas. If you think that your loved one lost their life as a result of the negligent actions of another individual or entity, please reach out to one of our injury lawyers in San Antonio so we can help guide you forward with your claim.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim?
Yes, there is a time limit associated with these cases. Family members and representatives of the estate must file a wrongful death claim within two years from the date of death. Failing to file a claim within this timeframe will likely mean that the case will be dismissed in court. Family members will be unable to recover the compensation and closure they are entitled to for their losses. We encourage you to speak to an attorney who can file your case promptly in the civil court system.
Compensation Available After an Austin Wrongful Death Occurs
There may be a variety of types of compensation available to family members and the estate of the deceased if a wrongful death claim in Austin is successful. These damages are awarded to the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, or parents for their losses resulting from the death. Some of the types of damages awarded in these cases include:
- Lost earning capacity of the deceased
- Loss of maintenance, support, advice, services, and council the deceased would have provided
- Mental pain and anguish experienced by the family members
- Loss of love, companionship, comfort, and society
- Loss of inheritance that the deceased would likely have saved and left to surviving family members had they lived
- Funeral and burial expenses
The total amount of compensation available in these situations will vary based on a variety of circumstances surrounding each claim. It is crucial to involve trusted economic and financial experts who can adequately calculate the value of the loss. Placing a monetary value on a lost life is incredibly challenging and emotional. However, insurance carriers and personal injury juries need to see calculations made based on the best information surrounding the situation. These calculations will be made based on the age of the deceased, their expected lifespan had the incident not occurred, their expected earning capacity, and more.
How Much Does a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Austin Charge?
We understand that the last thing grieving family members need to worry about is paying for an attorney. At Hill Law Firm, our team handles Austin wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that family members will not have to pay any upfront or out-of-pocket costs related to the case. We will not collect any legal fees until after we successfully recover the compensation that family members are entitled to. If we do not win a case, our clients are not required to pay any compensation at all.
Contact an Austin Wrongful Death Attorney Today
If you have lost somebody that you love as a result of the negligent actions of another individual, business, or entity in the Austin area, turn to the team at Hill Law Firm for help as soon as possible. We have the resources necessary to investigate every aspect of your claim. Our goal is to help you and your family recover the closure and compensation you are entitled to. When you need an Austin wrongful death attorney, you can contact us by clicking here for a free consultation or calling us at (210) 960-3939.