What is my wrongful death case worth?
Texas is home to some of the most dangerous jobs, working conditions, and highways in the country. If you’re dealing with the death of a loved one, you have a right to know how you’re going to move forward. While you should beware of any law firm that makes guarantees about specific dollar amounts, never be afraid to ask how much your wrongful death case is worth.
As if grieving the loss of your loved one isn’t painful enough, the medical bills, burial costs, and lost income that follow a fatal accident can be devastating. We wish there was a simpler way to answer this question, but the truth is that every case is unique and depends on a number of factors, including:
- How much the decedent was earning at the time of his or her death;
- Whether the decedent has children or other family members who were dependent on him or her for financial support;
- The decedent’s age at the time of his or her death; and
- Whether the decedent was hospitalized — and, as a result, incurred significant medical bills — prior to passing away
Our Wrongful Death Lawyers are Undefeated at Trial and have Won Over $1 Billion in Verdicts and Settlements
Our experienced Wrongful Death Attorneys approach each case with an unparalleled commitment to our clients and the resources, experience and skills to provide you and your family with the compensation you deserve.
As our prior successes confirm, however, we do much more than just win — we set records.
In the past five years, the Houston injury attorneys at Zehl & Associates, PC, have won over $1 Billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients, recovered 2 of the top 10 largest settlements in Texas, recovered the #1 largest accident verdict in Texas, and set many other records across Texas and the United States.
Contact Zehl & Associates for a Free, No Commitment Consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here.
What is the difference between a settlement and a verdict?
The majority of civil lawsuits end in a settlement, which is an agreement reached outside of the courtroom. To expedite the legal process, plaintiffs and defendants will often agree to a financial settlement without going before a jury. Juries are often sympathetic to the family members filing a wrongful death claim, which is one reason settlements are so common. Our wrongful death lawyers refuse to accept a settlement unless it fully compensates our clients. If it doesn’t, we take our case to trial before a judge and jury where we remain undefeated.
What influences the amount of compensation I can receive?
There are three common categories of damages in Texas wrongful death suits:
- Economic Damages: Hospital bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, etc.
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of a spouse, lost companionship, and more.
- Punitive Damages: Some families also receive punitive damages, meant to punish the responsible parties for the suffering they caused.
Any specific economic damages associated with the accident can be recovered in a lawsuit, including medical bills and burial costs. That’s why our Houston injury lawyers always work with clients to collect as much documentation as possible about the effects of the accident.
Besides those specific economic damages, the total amount of money your wrongful death claim is worth will vary depending on the precise circumstances and severity of the accident. Additionally, accidents that took the life of a family’s primary breadwinner could result in much higher damages, because you could be entitled to a lifetime of lost wages. Finally, the degree of guilt of the responsible parties could play a role in a potential settlement or jury verdict. In extreme cases, the guilty party may also face damages as punishment for gross misconduct.
Example of a Wrongful Death Case: Fatigued Wal-Mart Truck Driver
Tracy Jordan is a popular Saturday Night Live comedian who was nearly killed in a commercial truck accident. Jordan’s limousine was struck by a Wal-Mart truck driver who had been awake for 28 hours and was speeding in a construction zone. Jordan lost one of his closest friends in the accident, and suffered serious injuries as well.
While the truck driver was judged responsible for the accident, the driver wasn’t the only party responsible for the crash. Jordan’s wrongful death lawyers ultimately reached a settlement with Wal-Mart, because it was their driver who caused the accident.
Today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that one in five bus and truck accidents are caused by fatigue. Every year, more than 1,500 people die in more than 100,000 fatigue-related crashes.
Although the precise amount of the settlement was never made public, the Jordan lawsuit shows how these cases can play out in the real world. Often, these types of wrongful death cases create years of bad press for companies, which might then seek to settle quickly outside of court. This is yet another reason why it’s so important to contact a team of wrongful death lawyers as soon as possible following the death of a loved one.
Wrongful Death Cases Must be Filed Quickly
The value of your wrongful death claim should not be the only question you should be asking right now. In Texas, the decedent’s family members must meet strict deadlines to file wrongful death claims. Sadly, by the time many families get around to filing a compensation claim, the statute of limitations has already expired, which is why it is important that you contact an experienced lawyer immediately.
Contact Our Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free, No Commitment Consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here.
If you lost a spouse, child, or parent in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or misconduct, our Wrongful Death Lawyers are here to help.
All consultations are free, and because we work exclusively on a contingency fee basis, you don’t have to pay us anything unless we win your case.