Compassionate wrongful death and catastrophic injury attorneys. We stand with families, securing justice and financial security.
The insurance company adjusting your family's claim will start negotiating within days of the funeral. They know grief makes people accept the first number offered — that's exactly why they move fast.
We've taken a wrongful death case all the way to a $32 million jury verdict, one of the largest of its kind in Texas, because we don't let insurers set the terms. We build the case a jury needs to see before we ever discuss a number with the other side.
If you've lost a family member in Dallas, TX, due to someone else's negligence, call (972) 972-4969 or fill out our free case evaluation form — the sooner we start, the harder it is for the responsible party to control the story.
Representative results
$32M
Landmark verdict for the family of an Afghan interpreter. Negligent security wrongful death case involving traumatic brain injury. Bennett Legal and Miller Copeland secured justice against negligent property owners.
October 2025
Learn More About This CasePast results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
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• We've proven these cases can be won: a $32 million jury verdict for the family of an Afghan interpreter killed in a negligent security case — one of the largest verdicts of its kind in Texas.
• We prepare every case for trial: which is exactly why most never have to go there.
• We build the record the responsible party hopes doesn't exist: prior incidents, ignored warnings, safety failures — before the other side can bury it.
• We keep you informed at every step: no jargon, no guessing where your case stands.
Call (972) 972-4969 or schedule a free consultation today — your family deserves answers, and we know how to get them.
Losing a family member unexpectedly can leave emotional and financial turmoil in its wake. A wrongful death claim is a legal action brought by the surviving family members of the deceased against the party responsible for the death. In Texas, wrongful death is defined as a death caused by the "wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default" of another party.
It is essential to understand the distinction between wrongful death claims and survival actions. While a wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses suffered by the surviving family members, a survival action focuses on the damages the deceased would have been entitled to if they had survived.
To have a successful wrongful death claim, you must prove negligence or misconduct on the part of the responsible party. It requires gathering strong evidence and presenting a compelling case — and that evidence gets harder to collect with every week that passes. Talk to a Dallas wrongful death attorney today at (972) 972-4969.
Seeking compensation through a wrongful death claim can alleviate the financial burdens associated with losing a loved one. The types of compensable damages available in Texas include economic, non-economic, and exemplary or punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or willful harm.
Economic damages include medical expenses related to the accident or injury, funeral costs, and loss of income. Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
Exemplary or punitive damages may be awarded in gross negligence or intentional harm cases. These damages go beyond compensating for losses and instead aim to punish the responsible party for their actions.
These calculations vary case by case — what your family is owed depends on specifics an insurer will never volunteer. Get a specific answer, not a guess, with a free case review.
Under Texas law, the right to file a wrongful death claim is reserved for specific family members of the deceased. These individuals include the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the person who died as a result of another party's negligence or wrongful act.
The purpose of a wrongful death claim in Texas is not to punish the at-fault party but to provide financial relief for the surviving family members.
However, Texas law does not allow siblings, grandparents, or other extended family members to file wrongful death claims. Only those with a direct and defined legal relationship—spouse, child, or parent—are permitted to do so.
The amount of compensation awarded in a wrongful death claim can vary based on several factors. These include:
• The age and health of the deceased: Younger individuals with potential future earnings may be entitled to higher compensation.
• Earning capacity and future income potential: If the deceased had a high earning capacity, the compensation may reflect their potential lost income.
• Financial dependence of surviving family members: The extent to which the family members relied on the deceased for financial support will be considered.
• Emotional and psychological impact on loved ones: The emotional distress experienced by surviving family members is taken into account.
• Recklessness or intentional actions of the at-fault party: If the responsible party's actions were particularly egregious, it may result in higher punitive damages.
An insurer's first offer accounts for none of this — it accounts for what they hope you'll accept before you know better. Get a free case review before you respond to any offer.
Wrongful death can occur in various types of accidents. Some common examples include:
• Car accidents caused by negligent or drunk drivers
• Motorcycle collisions
• Workplace accidents, including construction site fatalities
• Medical malpractice
• Defective products
• Criminal acts and inadequate security
If your loved one's death happened in circumstances like these, it's worth having a case reviewed — the sooner the better, before evidence like camera footage, maintenance logs, or witness memories start to disappear.
Fatal accidents can occur in various locations throughout Dallas, TX. Some areas and situations that may pose a higher risk include:
• Busy highways and intersections: Highways such as I-35E, LBJ Freeway, and Central Expressway can be particularly dangerous.
• High-risk neighborhoods or poorly maintained properties
• Dangerous work zones
• Hospitals or clinics where medical negligence occurs
• Assisted living facilities or nursing homes
The first call from the insurance company often comes before the funeral is even over. That's not compassion — it's strategy. Adjusters know a sympathetic-sounding offer is easier to accept when a family is exhausted and grieving, and they know most people don't find out what a claim is actually worth until it's too late.
Another common tactic is blaming the victim — shifting responsibility away from the insured party before your family has even seen the evidence.
Never accept an insurance settlement without consulting with one of our knowledgeable Dallas, TX, wrongful death lawyers — common mistakes at this stage can quietly cost your family thousands. We know what your claim is actually worth, and we negotiate firmly on your behalf.
Collecting evidence is vital in substantiating your wrongful death claim. Obtain the death certificate, police reports, accident scene photos, witness statements, and other relevant documentation.
Insurance companies may try to contact you to obtain statements or make settlement offers. Avoid speaking with them without legal counsel present.
Maintain detailed records of all expenses related to the wrongful death, including medical bills, funeral expenses, and any other costs incurred.
Consult with one of our Dallas, TX, wrongful death lawyers as soon as possible. In Texas, there is generally a two-year statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim.
Common signs include a death or severe injury caused by another party's negligence or intentional act — a preventable car crash, medical error, defective product, workplace hazard, or violent crime on unsecured property. If your loved one's death or your injury might have been avoided had someone acted with reasonable care, it's worth having your case reviewed at no cost. See how to know if you have a wrongful death case, or contact Bennett Legal for a free consultation.
Texas law generally gives you two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim, though certain circumstances can shorten or extend that window. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to compensation entirely, no matter how strong your case is. See how Texas's deadline compares state by state, or contact Bennett Legal now to protect your claim.
Texas law limits wrongful death claims to the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased — siblings, grandparents, and other extended family members cannot file on their own. If eligible family members choose not to file within three months, the estate's representative may bring the claim on their behalf. Learn more about who qualifies and the filing process.
A catastrophic injury is a severe, often permanent injury that significantly limits a person's ability to work, function independently, or enjoy life as before — think traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and severe burns. These cases typically involve long-term or lifetime medical care, which is why they require a different damages strategy than a routine injury claim. See real examples of what courts consider catastrophic.
Strong cases rely on the death certificate, medical and autopsy records, police or incident reports, witness statements, and documentation of financial losses — the sooner this evidence is gathered, the harder it is for an insurer to dispute. See the 7 evidence types wrongful death cases need most or what it takes to win a catastrophic injury case.
You may be entitled to economic damages (medical bills, lost income, future care costs), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life), and in cases of gross negligence, punitive damages. Because catastrophic injuries often require lifetime care, calculating the true value of a claim requires input from medical and financial experts. Compare economic and non-economic damages.
"Accidental death" is a broad, informal term for any unexpected death, while "wrongful death" is a specific legal claim requiring proof that someone else's negligence or misconduct caused the death. Not every accidental death gives rise to a wrongful death claim — the distinction determines whether your family has grounds to seek compensation. See the key differences that determine whether you have a case.
We've proven a case like this can be won — including one that reached a $32 million verdict. Let us show you what that could mean for your family's case.
Call now — the consultation is free, and Texas gives you two years to act, not two months. (972) 972-4969, or complete our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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