Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer
Terry Bryant: Wrongful Death Claim for Damages
If you lost a loved one due to a wrongful death, filing a claim for damages may be the only way for you to support your family and cover the costs of funeral arrangements and other financial burdens. The Houston wrongful death attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law want to put our years of experience and knowledge of the law work for you.
Call our Houston wrongful death attorneys today at (800) 444-5000 or fill out a free initial consultation form. In the meantime, here is some helpful information you need to know about the compensation that may be owed to you:
Eligibility
Under Chapter 71 of the Texas Practice and Remedies Code, the surviving family members, including spouse, parents, and children, may be compensated for the loss of a loved one due to wrongful death.
Types of Damages
If you are eligible for damages based on the death of your loved one, there are two kinds of damages you may claim: compensatory and exemplary (or punitive).
- Compensatory damages are designed to compensate the victim’s family.
- Exemplary damages are designed to punish the party responsible for the victim’s death if that party acted with intentional, reckless, or gross negligence.
Coverage
If you are awarded damages for the loss of your loved one, they are intended to cover:
- funeral costs
- loss of support
- lost benefits
- lost inheritance
- lost wages
- medical care
- mental anguish
- pain and suffering
- general damages
Compensation
In Texas, if you are awarded damages, that compensation may be equivalent to the worth of the injuries sustained by the deceased. Those damages may be divided among the eligible recipients as the jury determines.
Social Security Survivor Benefits
Social Security benefits may be available to you if your spouse dies, given that person worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits. Under specific circumstances, certain other family members, including a divorced spouse or a minor or disabled child, may also be eligible for Social Security Survivor benefits.
Should you be eligible for these benefits, the Social Security Administration may provide you with:
- a one-time payment of $255 and
- monthly benefits.
If you have questions about filing a claim for damages or your eligibility for other survivor benefits, contact at Terry Bryant by calling (800) 444-5000 or completing a free initial consultation form.
