Wrongful death is caused by someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness. For example, if someone goes out for a night of drinking, gets behind the wheel, and causes a fatal accident, the driver is liable for the victim’s death. In this case, because the driver decided to drive after drinking, they failed to act in a manner that would keep other people safe and are thus liable for the consequences.

A death caused by someone failing to take appropriate action also constitutes a wrongful death. This can happen with medical professionals. If a doctor fails to treat a patient properly, who then dies, the doctor may face liability for the victim’s death.

A wrongful death action is a legal process that follows a wrongful death. Eligible parties file the claim to reimburse expenses they may have paid related to their loved one’s death and to compensate family members for their loss. To give yourself the best chance of holding the negligent party liable for your loved one’s untimely death, you should retain a skilled McAllen wrongful death lawyer.

Nearly anyone can face liability for wrongful death.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death, you may bring a wrongful death claim against one or more of the following parties:

• A doctor or other medical professional.
• A driver.
• A criminal.
• A security guard.
• The owner of an animal.

In many cases, a victim’s death is caused during criminal activity, such as a robbery or mugging. When this happens, the prosecutor may file criminal charges against the alleged criminal. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the criminal procedure will not provide you or your family with any compensation. The only way to try to collect compensation for your loss is by pursuing a wrongful death action. You should consider working with a respected McAllen wrongful death attorney who can help guide you through the complex legal process.

depends on how surviving family members receive their wrongful death damages. If damages are provided directly to the family members, the IRS makes it clear they are not taxable. Such damages are treated just like compensation stemming from a personal injury claim.

But some damages may go to the estate of loved ones before being distributed to eligible family members. In this instance, and if the amount of damages is high enough, or your loved one died with substantial assets, the amount of damages might push your loved one’s estate above the estate tax threshold. If this happens, the damages are taxable, reducing the amount of inheritance that family members will receive.

Even if you feel great sorrow at losing a loved one, Texas law provides that only certain individuals can initiate a wrongful death claim. They are:

• A surviving spouse
• Children (both biological and legally adopted)
• Parents

You notice that siblings are not listed here. Texas law provides few options for individuals to bring a wrongful death claim, and siblings are not eligible. Only those listed above may initiate a wrongful death claim. Working with a wrongful death lawyer in McAllen can help move a claim forward.

In most cases, insurance companies pay wrongful death settlements out in lump sums. This approach helps you to move on from the legal process quickly.

In some cases, wrongful death survivors want to have a structured settlement, much like an annuity. In this instance, the payout happens over a set time, and the company pays it on a monthly or annual basis. You should consult with your wrongful death attorney about which option is best for you.

Settlements are a great way to put legal stress behind you while also providing you with the compensation needed to cover the expense of your loved one’s death. But you do need to remain careful when considering an initial settlement offer, especially if you haven’t yet spoken with a wrongful death lawyer.

Soon after your loved one’s death, the at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you with a quick settlement offer. You will likely want to put all this behind you, so you may feel excitement at the prospect of taking a settlement and moving on. Insurance companies are not looking out for your best interests, however. When they offer a quick settlement amount and pressure you to take it, it’s because they know that your acceptance is the best option for their bottom lines. Insurance companies want to keep as much money in their pockets and out of yours.

One way of doing this is by pushing a settlement offer on you. If you do not have a wrongful death attorney to look over a settlement offer, you need to speak with one immediately. If you take the settlement offer without having a lawyer review it, you may waive your right to bring any future claim against the insurance company for your loved one’s death. That could mean that you end up paying out of your own pocket for your loved one’s funeral expenses and shouldering the burden of the financial loss your family takes because you don’t have your loved one’s income to rely on any longer.

Your McAllen wrongful death lawyer will take all of this into consideration when helping you with your claim. Together with your legal advisor, you can create an accurate estimate of your family’s future financial needs. This may include a calculation made by an actuary about how much more money your loved one would have made and could have contributed to your family’s financial wellbeing.

Taking this important step towards understanding the full financial impact of your loss is crucial to settlement negotiations. Your lawyer will serve as your legal advocate, taking on the big insurance companies and aggressively working to maximize your compensation. This is what you and your loved one deserve.

As is the case with many legal questions, the answer here is that the specific circumstances of your accident will determine how long your case takes. A resolution for your wrongful death claim may take just a few months; other times, it may take years. Depending on the complexity of your case and the circumstances surrounding the death of your loved one, the time frame it takes to end your case may vary widely.

Even if the cause of the accident that caused your loved one’s death is clear, the at-fault party may have had little insurance coverage that doesn’t cover the final medical bills of your loved one’s care. Insurance companies rarely pay out the full value of a claim without a fight.  So even if the at-fault party has adequate insurance coverage, your lawyer may still need to advocate on your behalf and aggressively negotiate with the insurance company to help you maximize your compensation.

In some cases, a dispute may arise regarding who caused your loved one’s death. In that instance, you may have to litigate your wrongful death case to prove who was at fault. This is why, when choosing a lawyer, you want a McAllen wrongful death lawyer with trial experience. Not every lawyer or law firm has experience handling complex wrongful death lawsuits, and you don’t want to be the lawyer’s first.

These factors, along with many others, determine how long your wrongful death case will take. In every instance, you need a wrongful death attorney who is not afraid to stand up to the big insurance companies and who will work hard to help you get maximum compensation.

Choosing a wrongful death lawyer is a personal decision. There are many lawyers to choose from in McAllen. Understanding what separates one attorney from the next can help you make this important decision.

When selecting a lawyer, make sure they have experience handling wrongful death claims. Bringing a wrongful death claim is not only an emotional process but also a time-consuming one. You need to make sure your attorney is skilled in this area of the law and that they can properly guide your case through this process.

Because of the nature of this type of case, you also deserve a compassionate wrongful death attorney. This is not some ordinary personal injury case — instead, you have lost a dear loved one. Working with a wrongful death lawyer who understands the pain you feel and what you are going through is an important part of your decision process. You need to feel comfortable speaking with your attorney. You also need to feel confident in their ability to help you. When you retain a lawyer, you place a great deal of trust in them to help guide you during one of the most challenging times in your life. You deserve someone who understands your emotions and also your goals.

You also need a wrongful death attorney who will not charge you upfront for their services. Most wrongful death lawyers work on contingency. This means you don’t pay your lawyer a dime unless you successfully recover compensation. You will work with your lawyer to determine a final fee based on a percentage of the monetary recovery. The law firm will likely also pay filing fees and other costs upfront. You are going through enough right now in your life; you do not need to worry about taking on additional legal bills.

If you lost a loved one because of someone else’s actions, you deserve to have a respected McAllen wrongful death lawyer at your side. Your lawyer can investigate your loved one’s death, meet with medical experts to determine an exact cause, review police and medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and defend your rights at trial if that’s what’s required to maximize your recovery.

You want to retain a lawyer who will handle your case with compassion and understanding. Your lawyer can help you navigate the complex waters of the wrongful death claims process and attempt to collect the compensation you need to cover the expenses and financial hardships that you face.

If your loved one has met an untimely death because of someone else’s negligence, reach out to Patino Law Firm and speak with a trusted McAllen wrongful death lawyer.