Who can Receive Compensation for Wrongful Death in Seguin

Losing a loved one is never easy, but it can be especially difficult to cope when their death occurred because of a negligent person or corporation in Seguin. When someone dies in Texas as a result of carelessness, neglect, intentional harm, or medical malpractice, the law might deem his or her death “wrongful.” Wrongful death claims allow certain family members of the deceased to file a lawsuit against those legally responsible for the death.

If you live in Seguin and believe that someone in your family has suffered a wrongful death, the professional team of attorneys at Carabin Shaw is here to listen to you, as well as provide assistance in filing a claim on behalf of the surviving family, who can receive compensation for wrongful death in Seguin.

Any personal injury lawyer can tell you that wrongful death incidents are more common than you might think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional injury accounted for 146,571 deaths in the United States in 2015. Of this number, 37,757 deaths occurred due to motor vehicle accidents and negligent driving. What’s more, 47,478 died of “unintentional poisoning,” and 33,381 people died of “unintentional falls”— many of which occur at unsafe work sites.

While these numbers may seem astronomical, they do not take into account the thousands of accidental medical deaths that the CDC does not document. A research team led by Dr. Martin Makary at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that “medical errors” are now the third-leading cause of death in the United States. According to this 2016 study, approximately 251,000 patients die every year because of medical malpractice — taking more lives annually than respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases and accidents.

These statistics show that wrongful death is a problem in Seguin and elsewhere. If you are wondering, the attorneys at Carabin Shaw can help. As Texas law currently stands, only family members of the deceased may file a wrongful death suit. That said, not all family members are allowed to file. Qualified family members include the deceased’s spouse, children, and parents. In some cases, an adopted child or adopted parent may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim as well.

The individuals who may actually benefit from the compensation of a wrongful death claim in Seguin are not the same as who can file, however, and is only limited by the final will or estate executor of the deceased and the judgement of the family members who are directly awarded it.

Residents of Seguin may ask, “why should I consider filing a wrongful death claim?” The main goals of wrongful death suits are:

1. To hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence or wrongdoing, and
2. To help surviving family recover damages, which can defray the significant emotional and monetary costs associated with a loved one’s untimely passing.

Some different types of damages include:

• Funeral and burial costs,
• The deceased’s pain prior to death,
• Loss of expected income the deceased would have provided if alive,
• Loss of inheritance,
• Loss of emotional support,
• And mental anguish at the deceased’s untimely death.

If you are an immediate family member who can receive compensation for wrongful death in Seguin, an attorney at Carabin Shaw can help you review each of these conditions.

When you see a Seguin wrongful death attorney at Carabin Shaw, you can expect our immediate commitment and expertise. We will not charge you unless we win your case, and your initial consultation is always free.

If you are a surviving spouse, child, or parent, you can receive compensation for wrongful death in Seguin by contacting an attorney at Carabin Shaw and exercising your right to file a wrongful death claim. You do not have to face a Seguin wrongful death case alone. At Carabin Shaw, we are here to advocate for your rights and the rights of those you love.

To speak with a lawyer from Carabin Shaw in Seguin, call our local offices at 830.303.2288 or toll-free at 800-862-1260.