An Arlington wrongful death attorney can provide critical guidance and support during one of life’s most difficult times. In Tarrant County, countless families each year are devastated by accidents that should have been prevented. When a loved one’s life is cut short because of someone else’s negligence, the grief is often accompanied by a profound sense of injustice.
If your family is facing this difficult reality, please know you do not have to go through it alone. The dedicated team at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. includes experienced wrongful death attorneys in Arlington, TX who will guide you through each step of the legal process with care and clarity. We are committed to seeking accountability, allowing you to focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory.
Reaching out for help after a loss can feel overwhelming, but it is an important first step toward justice. We invite you to speak with our compassionate team in a free, confidential consultation. We will take the time to listen to your story and explain how we can help. Call Branch & Dhillon, P.C. today at (817) 533-3430.
Arlington, TX Wrongful Death Guide
- Your Advocates in Tarrant County: How Branch & Dhillon, P.C. Can Help
- What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
- The Legal Standard for Negligence
- Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
- Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims in Texas
- Common Situations Leading to Wrongful Death Claims in Arlington
- Understanding Compensation in a Texas Wrongful Death Case
- Take the First Step with an Arlington Wrongful Death Attorney
Your Advocates in Tarrant County: How Branch & Dhillon, P.C. Can Help
Losing someone you love is devastating, and managing a complicated legal case during such a time can feel incredibly difficult. At Branch & Dhillon, P.C., our goal is to take that weight off your shoulders. When you work with an experienced Arlington wrongful death attorney from our firm, you gain a team that stands beside you as advocates, protecting your rights and speaking up for you when it matters most.
We adapt our strategy to meet the specific circumstances and needs of each family we represent. Our firm handles wrongful death cases caused by many forms of negligence, whether that involves a reckless driver on I‑30 or negligence by a large company. We have the experience and the resources to stand up to any opponent.
Launching an Independent Investigation
A strong wrongful death case begins with a thorough, independent investigation. Although agencies such as the Arlington Police Department conduct their own reviews, their efforts are not aimed at developing a civil claim. That is where our team steps in, ensuring the case is built with a focus on justice and accountability.
Our team collects every piece of evidence available, including accident reports, photographs, video footage, and witness accounts. We often bring in trusted experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists who can explain how a crash happened on I‑20 or medical professionals who can detail how a fatal medical error occurred. We build your case with careful attention to detail and a thorough, evidence‑driven approach.
Protecting You from Insurance Companies
It is common for insurance adjusters to reach out soon after a loss. They may sound compassionate, but their priority is to limit what the company pays. They might ask you for a recorded statement or offer a quick settlement before you understand the full impact of your loss.
When you choose Branch & Dhillon, P.C., we take over all communication with insurers. We handle all calls, negotiations, and paperwork on your behalf. This gives you the space to grieve and focus on your family without the added stress of dealing with adjusters who do not have your best interests in mind.
Building a Claim That Reflects the Full Impact
An Arlington wrongful death attorney from our team will carefully document the many ways your family has been affected. A claim involves much more than recent medical costs or funeral expenses. We work with economic experts to calculate the income, benefits, and opportunities your loved one would have provided over a lifetime.
We also highlight the personal side of your loss, including the absence of guidance, love, and support that cannot be measured in dollars alone. Our goal is to present a claim that captures both the financial and personal impact of your loss.
Navigating the Tarrant County Court System
Our firm’s extensive experience with the Tarrant County court system helps us navigate local rules and procedures effectively. We understand the local rules, judges, and procedures that can influence a wrongful death case in North Texas.
We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This level of preparation often leads to stronger settlement discussions, as the other side knows we are ready to present our case in court. Whether your case ends in a negotiated settlement or a verdict, our focus is on achieving an outcome that brings accountability and a sense of justice to your family.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
In Texas, a wrongful death claim is a type of civil lawsuit that arises when someone’s death is caused by a “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default” of another person or entity. This right is created by the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Title 4, Chapter 71, which allows certain surviving family members to pursue justice on behalf of their loved one.
A wrongful death case is separate from any criminal charges that might also be filed. Instead of seeking criminal penalties, a wrongful death lawsuit is handled in civil court. Its purpose is to obtain financial compensation for the family’s losses and to hold the responsible party accountable.
The Legal Standard for Negligence
To succeed in a wrongful death claim, an attorney must prove four elements:
- Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal responsibility to act with reasonable care. For example, a truck driver on the Tom Landry Memorial Highway has a duty to follow traffic laws and operate safely.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to uphold that responsibility. A driver who texts while driving or a property owner who ignores a known hazard has breached their duty.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the death. There must be a clear link between the negligent act and the loss of life.
- Damages: The death caused measurable harm to surviving family members. This includes both financial losses and the loss of companionship and guidance.
Proving these elements requires detailed investigation, a clear understanding of Texas law, and careful legal work.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
Texas law is specific about who may file this type of lawsuit. The surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased all have the right to bring a claim. They may do so individually or as a group.
If none of these family members file a claim within three months of the death, the executor or personal representative of the estate may step in—unless the immediate family has requested otherwise.
Importantly, siblings are not eligible to bring a wrongful death claim unless they also qualify as a surviving parent or were legally adopted by the deceased.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims in Texas
In Texas, most wrongful death actions must be filed within two years of the date of death, as required by the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
There are only rare statutory exceptions to this two‑year filing deadline. To ensure your rights are preserved, it’s critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to confirm whether any exceptions might apply to your case.
Common Situations Leading to Wrongful Death Claims in Arlington
Tragic accidents can happen in many ways. An experienced Arlington wrongful death attorney can help with a wide range of cases throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Highways such as I-30 and busy streets like Cooper Street are often the sites of preventable collisions. Fatal car accidents are commonly caused by distracted driving, drunk driving, or excessive speed.
Crashes involving 18‑wheelers and commercial trucks tend to cause severe harm due to the size and weight of these vehicles, and many of these cases require investigation into federal trucking regulations, such as the hours‑of‑service rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Fatal Premises Liability Cases
Property owners in Texas must keep their premises reasonably safe. When they fail, fatal injuries can occur. Negligent security is a common problem in apartment complexes, parking garages, and entertainment venues.
Poor lighting, broken locks, and a lack of security patrols can allow crimes that might have been prevented. Dangerous property conditions such as unmarked wet floors, poorly maintained stairwells, unfenced pools, or exposure to toxic substances can also lead to a wrongful death claim.
Workplace Accidents and Third-Party Liability
Some workplace deaths fall under the workers’ compensation system, but there are times when a separate wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against a third party. Standards and safety requirements from agencies like OSHA often play a role in determining liability.
This could involve a subcontractor on a construction site whose negligence caused a fatal fall or a manufacturer whose defective equipment failed and caused a death. These cases require careful investigation to determine responsibility beyond the employer.
If your family has lost a loved one in Arlington or anywhere in Tarrant County, an Arlington wrongful death attorney at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. is ready to guide you through this process. We are committed to helping you understand your rights and to pursuing justice on behalf of your family under Texas law.
Understanding Compensation in a Texas Wrongful Death Case
While no amount of money can ever replace a person, a wrongful death settlement or verdict is designed to provide families with financial stability and a sense of justice. It holds the negligent party accountable and helps secure the family’s future. An experienced wrongful death attorney in Arlington can help your family pursue the full measure of compensation available under Texas law.
Recovering Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible financial losses your family has suffered and will continue to face because of the death. They are intended to restore, as much as possible, the financial support your loved one would have provided.
- Lost Earning Capacity: This represents the income your loved one would have earned over their expected lifetime, including salary, bonuses, and other benefits.
- Loss of Inheritance: This is the amount your loved one would likely have saved and passed on to their family as an inheritance if they had lived a full life.
- Medical Expenses: These are the costs of all medical care your loved one received for their final injury before they passed away.
These economic damages help replace the financial foundation that has been taken from your family, allowing you to plan for the future with greater stability.
Acknowledging Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the deeply personal and emotional losses that cannot be measured in dollars. Texas law recognizes that these losses are just as real and significant as financial harm.
- Loss of Companionship and Society: This compensates for the loss of the unique relationship each family member had with the deceased and is often referred to as loss of consortium for a spouse.
- Mental Anguish: This provides compensation for the grief, sorrow, and emotional trauma endured by surviving family members.
- Loss of Guidance: Children who have lost a parent can receive compensation for the absence of that parent’s guidance, support, and nurturing throughout their lives.
These non-economic damages honor the irreplaceable relationships and emotional bonds that have been forever changed, helping your family pursue justice and acknowledgment of your loss.
Under current Texas law, non‑economic damages in wrongful death actions, such as mental anguish, loss of companionship, and loss of guidance, are not capped. However, legislation is pending in 2025 (HB1419) that would impose a $1 million cap on non‑economic damages for wrongful death claims. This proposal has not yet been enacted, but it is important to stay informed because future recoveries could be impacted if the bill becomes law.
The Role of a Survival Action
In addition to the family’s wrongful death claim, Texas law allows for a separate but related claim known as a survival action. As established in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.021, this action is filed by the estate to recover damages for the suffering the deceased person endured before their death.
Survival damages may include compensation for the deceased’s physical pain, suffering, and fear experienced between the moment of injury and the moment of death. It also includes the costs of funeral and burial services. Pursuing both types of claims together provides a path toward total accountability.
Take the First Step with an Arlington Wrongful Death Attorney
The journey after losing a loved one is not one you should have to make alone. While no legal action can ever fill the void left behind, it can provide a meaningful sense of closure by holding the responsible parties accountable.
It can also provide the financial resources your family needs to face the future with greater stability and security. The dedicated legal team at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. is here to offer the guidance and determined advocacy you need.
Let us help you honor your loved one’s memory by pursuing the justice your family is owed. A compassionate and experienced Arlington, TX personal injury attorney is ready to listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options in plain language.
Your consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation. Contact us today at (817) 533-3430 to begin the conversation.
Branch & Dhillon, P.C. – Arlington, TX Law Firm
Address: 625 W Main St Arlington, TX 76010
Contact No: (817) 533-3430