Dallas, TX Wrongful Death Attorney

Compassionate Wrongful Death Attorney Helping Families Seek Justice in Dallas, Texas

Wrongful death cases can arise from different tragic circumstances. These kinds of legal claims allow surviving family members in Texas to seek compensation for the loss of a loved one when negligence was a factor behind the death. However, before you file a wrongful death claim against the party at fault, be sure to seek strong legal guidance first. A Dallas, TX wrongful death attorney can help make sure your rights are protected.

At the Law Office of J. Gregory Marks, we provide focused representation and counsel for people dealing with the aftermath of a fatal accident involving a loved one. As an experienced lawyer who has represented both insurance companies and injury victims, Attorney J. Gregory Marks has the legal knowledge and qualifications to guide you through your claim.

The Basics of a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas

When a person dies as a result of another party's negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct, Texas law allows certain surviving relatives to pursue a wrongful death claim. The right to file belongs to the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. If none of those parties file a claim within three months of the death, the representative of the estate may bring the action forward unless the family members request otherwise.

The statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim in Texas is two years from the date of the death. Missing that deadline typically eliminates the right to seek payment. In addition to a wrongful death claim, Texas law also recognizes a survival action, which allows the estate to recover damages for the pain, suffering, and losses the deceased experienced from the time of the injury up until their death.

Compensation in a wrongful death claim can include the loss of financial support the deceased provided to the family, loss of companionship, mental anguish suffered by the surviving family members, loss of inheritance, and funeral and burial expenses. Each family's circumstances are different, and the full value of a wrongful death claim depends on the specific losses the survivors have experienced and will continue to face in the years ahead.

Types of Wrongful Death Claims Our Firm Can Investigate

Wrongful death claims arise from many different types of incidents. Car, truck, and motorcycle wrecks are among the most common causes, particularly those involving negligent or reckless drivers, impaired driving, or commercial vehicle operators who violated safety regulations. Premises liability incidents, including fatal slip and fall accidents, swimming pool drownings, and negligent security cases where a victim was killed during a crime, can also serve as the basis of a wrongful death claim.

Product manufacturers can also be held accountable for wrongful deaths, such as when a defective vehicle component, a dangerous appliance, or another faulty product results in a fatality. In each case, the focus is on establishing that another party's conduct caused the death and that the surviving family members deserve accountability and compensation for what they have lost.

When Is a Trial Necessary for a Wrongful Death Claim?

Many wrongful death claims are resolved through settlement negotiations before a trial becomes necessary. However, there are situations where the responsible party or their insurer refuses to offer compensation that fairly reflects the loss. A defendant may dispute liability, undervalue the family's damages, or delay the process in hopes that the survivors will accept less out of financial pressure or exhaustion.

When that happens, filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial may be the only way to pursue the full compensation the family deserves. Having an attorney who is genuinely prepared to litigate sends a clear message to the opposing side.

Contact a Dallas, TX Wrongful Death Lawyer

No legal process can undo the loss of someone you love, but you still deserve justice, closure, and stability after the preventable death of a loved one. At the Law Office of J. Gregory Marks, our attorney is prepared to carry the legal burden so your family can focus on each other. Contact our Dallas, Texas wrongful death attorney or call 214-427-4417 to schedule your free consultation today.