When someone dies as the result of another’s wrongful actions, Texas allows for a wrongful death claim to be filed. If successful, it permits the recovery of damages related to the death. However, Texas statute only allows certain parties to file a wrongful death claim in our state.
If your loved one has died in an accident caused by the fault of another, you may have a wrongful death claim. It’s important to discuss your case with an expert wrongful death lawyer.
However, before you initiate the claims process, you should familiarize yourself with Texas wrongful death law. Here’s who can file a wrongful death claim:
Texas Statute and Wrongful Death Claims
Who is permitted to file a wrongful death claim, as well on whose behalf a claim may be filed, is addressed in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.004.
The section reads that any damages provided by a wrongful death claim are for the “exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased,” and continues to read that the action may be brought for by one of the above parties on that party’s behalf, or that one party may bring the suit on the behalf of themself and all the others.
Of course, there are situations where a decedent may not have a surviving spouse, children, or parents. In addition, none of these parties may wish to pursue a civil action for wrongful death.
When this is the case, Texas statute states that if none of the above individuals entitled to bring forth a wrongful death claim have done so within three months of the victim’s death, the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate shall bring forth the action unless requested not to do so by one of the named individuals.
Who Cannot File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
The statute cited above specifically address who may bring forth a wrongful death claim (parents, spouses, and children), but does not address who may not. That being said, statutory language excludes extended relatives of the deceased, such as aunts and uncles, as well as grandparents, siblings, and unmarried couples (boyfriends/girlfriends).
Call Our Texas Wrongful Death Claims Lawyers for More Information
Losing a loved one can leave you with feelings of grief, sadness, and anger; navigating the civil law system while coping with these emotions may be overwhelming.
If your loved one has died due to another’s negligence and you think that you may have a cause of action to pursue a wrongful death claim, call our Texas wrongful death lawyers at the law office of Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. for a free consultation.
You do not have to do this alone – our team of seasoned attorneys is here to help. Contact us today by phone or online to get started.
James Tawney
James Tawney is a native of the Southwest dedicated to serving his community. He was born and raised in Arizona where he attended Northern Arizona University where he received his undergraduate degree. James then went on to attend Texas Tech University School of Law in Lubbock, Texas. In 2016, he, along with fellow plaintiff’s attorney Alejandro Acosta, founded Flores, Tawney & Acosta, P.C. with offices located in Las Cruces and Carlsbad, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas.
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