Did you lose a loved one in a fatal accident in Fort Worth, TX? Your family may have the right to pursue compensation and accountability. Call Trial Tribe at (817) 400-5000 to discuss your rights with a Fort Worth wrongful death attorney. We offer a free consultation to help you understand your legal options.
Our legal team brings more than 50 years of combined experience to wrongful death and personal injury cases. We’ve recovered over $30 million for clients across Texas. We stand beside families during the most painful moments of their lives. Our attorneys will fight to seek justice for your loved one and secure the financial support your family needs to move forward.
Why Choose Trial Tribe for Help With a Wrongful Death Claim in Fort Worth, TX?
At Trial Tribe, we understand that no financial recovery can ever replace your loved one. However, a wrongful death claim can provide the resources your family needs to move forward. One of our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers can help you navigate your claim.
Families throughout Fort Worth, Texas, trust Trial Tribe because:
- We understand Texas wrongful death law. Our attorneys have handled complex fatal accident claims involving motor vehicle crashes and other accidents.
- We treat families with care and respect. You are never just another case file. We will take the time to listen, learn who your loved one was, and understand how their loss has changed your life. We will also provide timely updates on your case and answer your calls and respond to your questions.
- We get results. With tens of millions of dollars recovered and a Top 100 Texas verdict in 2024, we have proven that we can stand up to insurance companies, corporations, and other powerful defendants.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Fort Worth wrongful death lawyer. We are here to help your family pursue justice.
What Is a Wrongful Death Under Texas Law?
Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 71.002, a wrongful death occurs when a person’s life is lost due to the “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default” of another person or entity.
In other words, if your loved one would have had the right to file a personal injury lawsuit had they survived, their surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim.
Our Fort Worth wrongful death attorneys will carefully investigate your case to determine who may be legally responsible for your loved one’s death and whether your family has a valid claim.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Fort Worth?
Texas law limits who may file a wrongful death lawsuit to certain surviving family members, including:
- The surviving spouse
- The deceased person’s children (including legally adopted children)
- The deceased person’s parents
If none of these individuals file a claim within three months of the date of death, the personal representative of the estate may file the lawsuit.
Any compensation recovered is intended to benefit all eligible surviving family members who suffered losses due to the death.
Questions about eligibility can become complicated, especially in cases involving blended families or disputed relationships. Our attorneys can explain your right to file and ensure your claim is initiated correctly.
What Is the Value of My Fort Worth Wrongful Death Case?
Compensation in a wrongful death case is meant to provide financial security and acknowledge the profound loss your family has suffered.
The value of a wrongful death claim depends on many factors, including:
- Your loved one’s age and health
- Their income and future earning capacity
- The financial support they provided to the household
- Their role in the family
- Medical expenses related to the fatal injury
- Funeral and burial costs
- The emotional pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members
- The level of negligence or recklessness involved
At Trial Tribe, we will work with financial professionals and economic experts to evaluate not only your immediate expenses but also the future support your loved one would have helped provide.
What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Texas Wrongful Death Case?
Texas law allows families to recover damages for both financial losses and the personal harm caused by the death.
Depending on the circumstances, your family may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses incurred before your loved one passed away
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of income and future financial support
- Loss of inheritance or benefits
- Loss of companionship and emotional support
- Loss of parental guidance for surviving children
- Loss of consortium for surviving spouses
- Mental anguish suffered by family members
In some cases, courts may also award exemplary (punitive) damages if the death resulted from extreme negligence or reckless conduct, such as drunk driving. Our attorneys will carefully review every category of damages to ensure your family’s losses are fully recognized.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fort Worth?
Most personal injury attorneys handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you are not responsible for upfront legal fees, retainers, or hourly billing. Instead, you only have to pay attorney fees if your lawyer obtains a settlement or verdict for you. Their fee will be a percentage of the settlement or verdict they recover.
At Trial Tribe, we take on all injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency-fee basis. Plus, we offer free consultations so families can explore their legal options with no financial pressure.
Can My Family Still Recover Compensation if My Loved One Was Partially at Fault?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, often called the “51% bar” rule.
Under this system, your family may still recover compensation as long as your loved one was less than 51% responsible for the accident that caused their death. However, the total amount of compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, if damages total $500,000 and your loved one is found 20% responsible, your family would recover $400,000. If they are found 51% or more responsible, your family would recover nothing.
Insurance companies frequently attempt to use this rule to reduce payouts by placing blame on the deceased. At Trial Tribe, we know how to counter these tactics and present clear evidence of what truly happened and protect your family’s right to fair compensation.
What Are Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Fort Worth?
Wrongful deaths can occur in many ways, but most are the result of preventable negligence.
Our Fort Worth wrongful death lawyers regularly handle cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Commercial truck crashes
- Motorcycle and pedestrian accidents
- Workplace and construction site incidents
- Oil and gas field accidents
- Medical malpractice and hospital errors
- Defective or dangerous products
- Unsafe property conditions
- Criminal acts and violent conduct
Wrongful death claims in Fort Worth often come from sudden, heartbreaking events where someone could have taken reasonable steps to prevent a tragedy. In many situations, the same incidents that cause serious injuries—like a high-speed crash, a dangerous fall, or a medical mistake—turn fatal because the harm is severe or help doesn’t come in time.
Because these cases can involve more than one contributing cause (and more than one responsible party), it’s important to look beyond the obvious and consider issues such as safety violations, poor training or supervision, missed maintenance, defective equipment, or inadequate security.
Proving Liability in a Texas Wrongful Death Case
To succeed in a wrongful death claim, your family must show that another party’s negligence or wrongful act caused your loved one’s death.
Texas law requires proof of four elements:
- Duty of care: The defendant owed your loved one a legal duty to act reasonably.
- Breach of duty: The defendant failed to meet that duty through careless, reckless, or wrongful conduct.
- Causation: The breach directly caused the fatal injury.
- Damages: Your family suffered measurable losses as a result of the death.
Our attorneys build strong cases using evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, medical records, and expert testimony, among other things. Reach out to us today for help identifying who is liable in your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law generally allows families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, the court will likely dismiss the case, regardless of how strong the evidence may be.
Some claims involve shorter or longer deadlines. That is why it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a fatal accident.
Contact a Fort Worth Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a family can face. Along with grief, many families are left dealing with medical bills, funeral costs, and uncertainty about the future.
You deserve a legal team that can help you get justice and closure.
At Trial Tribe, our Fort Worth wrongful death attorneys offer more than 50 years of combined experience. We’ve recovered more than $30 million for Texas families.
Schedule a complimentary consultation today.