Wrongful Deaths: Survivors Have Rights

Posted by Adolf Boston on May 8th, 2016

When a loved one is killed due to the negligence of another, family members may be entitled to compensation under the law. In Texas, spouses, children and parents may be able to bring suit against the person or entity responsible for the loved one’s death. These lawsuits are deemed essential for survivors to help them cover costs associated with the death, caring for a family that is left behind, compensating for pain and suffering, and paying off medical bills that may have stacked up, among other financial obligations.

Survivors of victims who died in wrongful death cases do have rights. To exercise these rights, it’s often critical to have a skilled attorney on the case. When an attorney is brought in to assist, he or she will be able to:

• Help make the case – Under Texas law, it must be proven that a defendant’s wrongful act resulted in the death. Skilled attorneys can establish cases based on the facts available and those revealed during investigations.

• Ensure statutory limits are observed – The law does limit the time survivors have to file claims in wrongful death cases. Generally, the period of time is two years. An attorney will be very mindful of this and help ensure paperwork is properly filed in the court system before the timeclock runs out.

• Help deliver peace of mind – When a loved one dies, the bills and financial obligations can add up fast. A wrongful death attorney will, therefore, generally work on a contingency basis. That means he or she will take a case without upfront payment based on its merits. The attorney will get paid when a settlement is earned, not before. This can help family members gain a little peace of mind as they work to hold the person, persons or entity responsible for the wrongful death.

When a loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence, family members shouldn’t be left to pick up all the financial pieces. A wrongful death attorney can help ensure survivors get the compensation they are entitled to under the law.

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