Compassionate Counsel. Relentless Justice.
No amount of money can replace a loved one. But when negligence steals a life, the law provides a path to secure the financial future of those left behind. We fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.
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Turning Grief into Action
Losing a spouse, parent, or child is the most devastating experience a family can endure. When that loss is caused by someone else’s recklessness—a drunk driver, a careless surgeon, or a negligent employer—the grief is compounded by anger.
At Saffold Law, we understand that you are not just looking for a “payout”; you are looking for answers and justice. We handle the legal burden—investigating the death, dealing with insurance companies, and filing the lawsuit—so you can focus on healing your family.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
Texas law is specific about who has the “standing” to sue. Generally, the claim can be filed by:
- The Surviving Spouse: Even if separated (but not legally divorced).
- Children: Biological or legally adopted children (including adult children).
- Parents: The mother and/or father of the deceased.
Note: In Texas, siblings and grandparents typically do not have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The Two Claims: Wrongful Death vs. Survival Action
We often file two separate claims to maximize the compensation for the family.
1. Wrongful Death Claim
This compensates the family members for their personal loss.
- Loss of Financial Support: Wages the deceased would have earned over their lifetime.
- Loss of Companionship: Compensation for the emotional bond, love, and comfort that was lost.
- Mental Anguish: Damages for the emotional pain suffered by the survivors.
2. Survival Action
This is the claim the deceased would have filed if they had lived. It compensates the estate for:
- Pain and Suffering: The physical pain the victim felt between the time of the accident and the time of death.
- Medical Bills: The cost of the emergency treatment before they passed.
- Funeral & Burial Expenses.
Common Causes We Litigate
1. Fatal Auto & Truck Accidents
High-speed collisions, drunk driving (DWI), and 18-wheeler crashes are the leading causes of wrongful death. We pursue not just the driver, but the trucking companies or bars that served the alcohol (Dram Shop laws).
2. Medical Malpractice
When a routine surgery turns fatal due to a doctor’s error, or a misdiagnosis leads to an untimely death, we hold healthcare providers accountable.
3. Workplace Fatalities
Construction sites and oil fields are dangerous. If a death was caused by a third-party contractor or defective equipment (outside of standard Workers’ Comp), we file suit for gross negligence.
4. Defective Products
If a faulty tire, a dangerous drug, or a malfunctioning medical device caused the death, we take on the manufacturers.
What We Fight For (Your Future)
While we cannot bring them back, we can ensure that their passing does not lead to financial ruin for your family.
- Replacement of Income: Calculating decades of lost salary, bonuses, and retirement benefits.
- Loss of Inheritance: Assets the victim would have saved and passed down.
- Loss of Household Services: The economic value of the tasks the deceased performed (childcare, home maintenance, etc.).
- Punitive Damages: If the death was caused by “Gross Negligence” (e.g., extreme recklessness), we seek additional damages to punish the wrongdoer.
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How We Build Your Strategy
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1. The Forensic Investigation
We hire accident reconstructionists and medical experts to prove exactly how the death occurred and why it was preventable.
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2. The Economic Analysis
We work with economists to calculate the “Present Value” of the victim’s future earnings, ensuring the settlement accounts for inflation and career growth.
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3. The Trial
Insurance companies often try to undervalue a human life. We prepare every wrongful death case for a jury trial, showing them the full impact of the loss on your family.
Honor Their Memory with Justice.
You have a limited time to file a claim (Statute of Limitations is generally 2 years). Don’t let the negligent party walk away. Contact Saffold Law for a confidential review.
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