What’s Considered a Wrongful Death?
In simplest terms, a wrongful death occurs when negligence or wrongdoing causes someone's death. For example, a wrongful death case might be possible after worker was killed on the job because of a company’s failure to follow basic safety standards. In this situation, a family would need the help of a Dallas wrongful death law firm to prove their loss was preventable and caused by the employer’s negligence.
Causes of Wrongful Death
While a wrongful death can happen in many different types of situations, there are a handful that our Dallas wrongful death law firm often handles.
Two of the most common causes of wrongful death include:
- Work Accidents: If a person was killed while working, it’s likely that their employer could have prevented their death. Failure to maintain equipment, provide safety equipment, training, or hiring unqualified workers can trigger a deadly accident. It’s the legal and ethical responsible of employers to make sure these things don’t happen. Common fatal work accidents in Dallas include incidents in oilfields as well as construction accidents.
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: As one of the most populated metro areas in the state, Dallas is no stranger to serious motor vehicle accidents. Often, deadly accidents could have been prevented if a driver had been paying attention or had obeyed traffic laws. Additionally, manufacturers might be liable for the death of a person in a vehicle collision because of faulty parts, like airbags that failed to deploy.
The accidents mentioned above are not the only events that cause wrongful deaths. Our Dallas wrongful death attorneys have helped families recover after all types of accidents—from serious offshore disasters to instances of accidental drownings.
Our wrongful death law firm in Dallas can take on cases involving:
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Action?
When a person dies due to the fault of another, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed on their behalf. This gives the family a chance to see justice served and to recover compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, the loss of support and companionship, and more. It can go a long way in helping surviving family members experience some peace of mind, not to mention help them achieve financial stability.
You can typically only file a wrongful death action on behalf of a loved one if you are the following:
- Spouse of the decedent (the person who has died)
- Minor or adult child of the decedent
- Parent of the decedent
- Adopted child or children of the decedent
- Adoptive parents of the decedent
- Personal representatives of the decedent’s estate
Wrongful death cases are filed in civil court. Separate criminal charges may be filed against the at-fault party if what they did was illegal, but the two cases will not influence one another and the judgments will be separate.
In addition to handling wrongful death actions for families across the U.S., our Dallas trial lawyers also handle workers’ compensation, Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), and Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) cases for workers who have lost their lives in the course of their employment. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your loss, we have the experience to provide the counsel you require.
About Dallas, TX
Approximately 1.3 million people call the City of Dallas home. Dallas is rich with cultural diversity and has a strong economy, thanks to the varied industries that operate within the city limits and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. It is the ninth-most populous city in the United States and the third-most populous city in Texas. Dallas is widely recognized as the epicenter of the nation’s oil and gas industry and is also a key transportation hub, complete with major railways, the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, an inland port, and interstate highways.
Until the 1930s, the Dallas economy relied primarily on cotton, cattle, and the major railways that intersected the region. That shifted when petroleum was discovered just east of Dallas in nearby Kilgore. Discoveries in the Barnett Shale, Haynesville Shale, Eagle Ford Shale, and Permian Basin further solidified Dallas as a leading player in oil and gas. Oil tycoon H.L. Hunt lived and worked in Dallas, which also contributed to the region’s standing as a leader in oil production.
Today, Dallas has thriving telecommunications, defense, financial services, manufacturing, and transportation industries. AT&T, Energy Transfer Equity, Tenet Healthcare, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments are five of the top publicly traded companies that have headquarters in Dallas. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is home to 22 Fortune 500 companies in all.
Dallas is also known for its museums, entertainment, and art. Visitors and residents flock to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, and the Winspear Opera House to view exhibits and performances. The State Fair of Texas and the Cotton Bowl also draw large crowds. With its diversity, stable economy, and numerous attractions, there is something for everyone in the Dallas area.
Dallas Links & Resources
Our Wrongful Death Lawyers in Dallas Have a Reputation for Results
Your family is facing a future far different than the one you had imagined. Our firm is here to help make that future a little brighter. In addition to offering experienced, aggressive representation against at-fault parties to help you see justice served, we provide the personal attention and caring support that you need during this traumatic time. We know this moment is difficult and we're ready to be the team that fights for the justice you deserve.
Over the years, Arnold & Itkin has earned a reputation for being the advocates that families need during the most difficult moments of their lives. We’ve recovered billions of dollars for clients by never backing down from a fight and refusing to let negligent parties get away with harming others. While we can’t change what happened to your loved one, we’re ready to help you find answers from those who could have.
Call (888) 493-1629 to learn how our Dallas personal injury firm can fight for answers from those who caused your loss.
