Houston Wrongful
Death Lawyer
What you need to do if you are involve in a personal injury accident?
Lost a Loved One Because of Someone Else’s Negligence?
Losing a family member is devastating. When the death could have been prevented, grief may also come with difficult questions about what happened, who was responsible, and how your family will manage financially.
A fatal car crash, workplace accident, unsafe property condition, defective product, or another negligent act can leave a family dealing with funeral expenses, lost income, emotional suffering, and an uncertain future.
Texas law provides a wrongful-death cause of action when an injury causes death because of another person or entity’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.
Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm represents personal injury victims and family members who have lost loved ones in wrongful-death claims. The firm’s broader practice includes serious and catastrophic injuries as well as fatal accidents.
Fatal injuries remain a serious national problem. CDC injury data show that injuries remain among the leading causes of death in the United States, while the agency’s WISQARS system provides national and state-level fatal-injury data drawn from official mortality records.
If negligence caused the death of someone you love, your family may have the right to seek accountability and financial compensation.
Contact Roxell Richards Law Firm today for a free case review.
Why Choose Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm?
Wrongful-death cases require careful investigation, sensitivity to the family’s circumstances, and the ability to handle disputes involving significant damages.
More Than 20 Years of Personal Injury Experience
Attorney Roxell Richards states that she has more than 20 years of experience specializing in personal injury law and leads Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm from Houston.
Free Case Evaluation
Families can discuss the death, available evidence, and possible legal options without paying an upfront consultation fee.
Detailed Investigations
The firm may review accident reports, medical records, photographs, video footage, witness accounts, insurance policies, workplace records, property documents, and other evidence.
Identification of Multiple Responsible Parties
A fatal accident may involve more than one defendant.
For example, a commercial vehicle crash may involve the driver, trucking company, maintenance contractor, or another business. A workplace death may involve contractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners.
Long-Term Financial Analysis
A wrongful death can eliminate years or decades of expected income and household support. The value of a claim may therefore require more than adding up immediate expenses.
Trial-Ready Representation
Insurance companies may dispute fault or the value of a family’s losses. Preparing a claim for litigation can strengthen negotiations and protect the family if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71 governs wrongful-death actions.
Under the statute, a wrongful-death action may be brought when an injury causes a person’s death and the death resulted from another party’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.
In simple terms, the claim asks an important question:
Could the deceased person have pursued a legal claim if they had survived the injury?
If the answer is yes, qualifying family members may have a wrongful-death claim after the person dies.
Wrongful death is a civil claim. It is separate from any criminal investigation or prosecution that may arise from the same event.
Wrongful Death, Catastrophic Injury, and Personal Injury Claims
Many wrongful-death cases begin with the same type of accident that could otherwise cause a catastrophic injury.
A severe collision may cause a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, burns, or other life-threatening trauma. An industrial explosion may leave one person permanently disabled while causing another person’s death.
For families dealing with life-altering but nonfatal injuries, Roxell Richards Law Firm’s Houston Catastrophic Injury Lawyer page explains claims involving permanent disability, long-term medical care, and severe injuries. The firm’s catastrophic-injury practice is positioned within its broader personal injury representation.
When negligence results in death rather than survival, Texas law creates separate rights for eligible family members.
Wrongful-death claims also fall within Roxell Richards Law Firm’s broader Houston Personal Injury Lawyer practice. The firm’s current website expressly identifies wrongful-death representation as part of its work for injured people and families.
Roxell Richards Law Firm examines these areas together so the legal strategy addresses how the fatal accident happened, who was responsible, and what the loss means for the surviving family.
Wrongful Death vs. Survival Claims
These terms are related but refer to different legal losses.
Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful-death claim generally focuses on losses suffered by qualifying family members because their loved one died.
Those losses may include lost financial support, companionship, household services, and mental anguish, depending on the circumstances and applicable law.
Survival Claim
A survival action generally concerns claims the deceased person could have pursued had they survived.
For example, when a person lives for a period after a catastrophic accident before dying, the estate may have claims connected to injuries and damages the person experienced before death.
Texas Chapter 71Â addresses both wrongful-death and survival actions.
Determining which claims apply is an important part of evaluating a fatal accident.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Wrongful-death claims can arise from many forms of negligence.
Car Accidents
Fatal crashes may result from:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Failure to yield
- Dangerous lane changes
- Running traffic signals
Motor vehicle crashes remain a major source of preventable fatalities. NHTSA estimated that 39,345 people died in U.S. traffic crashes in 2024, even though that represented an estimated 3.8% decline from 2023.
Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks can cause catastrophic harm because of their size and weight.
A fatal truck crash may involve negligence by:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A maintenance contractor
- A cargo-loading company
- Another transportation business
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists have little physical protection in a serious collision. A negligent driver who fails to see a motorcycle, violates the rider’s right of way, or causes a high-speed impact may be responsible for a fatal crash.
Workplace Accidents
Workers may be killed by:
- Falls from height
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Electrical hazards
- Explosions
- Falling objects
- Structural failures
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 5,070 fatal occupational injuries in 2024, including 844 fatal falls, slips, and trips. Transportation incidents accounted for 38.2% of occupational fatalities that year.
Industrial Accidents
Refineries, chemical plants, construction projects, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities may contain serious hazards.
Fatal incidents may involve:
- Fires
- Explosions
- Toxic chemicals
- Pressurized equipment
- Heavy machinery
- Defective safety systems
Unsafe Property Conditions
A property owner or business may be responsible when a preventable dangerous condition causes death.
Potential claims may involve:
- Unsafe stairs
- Falls from height
- Negligent security
- Swimming pool accidents
- Fires
- Electrical hazards
- Defective elevators
- Dangerous premises
Defective Products
Manufacturers and other businesses may face liability when an unsafe product causes a fatal injury.
Examples may include:
- Defective vehicles
- Machinery
- Batteries
- Appliances
- Safety equipment
- Industrial products
Medical Negligence
A wrongful-death claim may arise when medical negligence causes a patient’s death, subject to the specific requirements governing Texas healthcare liability cases.
Roxell Richards Law Firm maintains a separate medical-malpractice practice addressing serious medical injuries and deaths.
Who May Be Held Responsible for a Wrongful Death?
Liability depends on what caused the death.
Potential defendants can include:
- Negligent drivers
- Trucking companies
- Employers
- Contractors
- Property owners
- Businesses
- Product manufacturers
- Maintenance companies
- Healthcare providers
- Government entities
More than one party may share responsibility.
Identifying all defendants can matter significantly because different parties may have separate insurance policies and legal duties.
Evidence That May Strengthen a Wrongful Death Claim
A fatal accident may involve extensive evidence.
Useful materials can include:
- Police reports
- Fire department reports
- Workplace incident reports
- Photographs
- Surveillance footage
- Dashcam video
- Witness statements
- Vehicle data
- Medical records
- Autopsy records
- Maintenance records
- Safety documents
- Employment records
- Product information
- Insurance policies
- Expert analysis
In commercial or workplace cases, contracts between companies may also help establish who controlled the activity that caused the death.
What Damages May Be Available in a Texas Wrongful Death Case?
Every case is different, and no attorney can guarantee a particular recovery. Potential damages may relate to the financial and personal losses resulting from the death.
Lost Financial Support
A family may lose years of income the deceased person would otherwise have provided.
Economic analysis may consider:
- Earnings history
- Career path
- Age
- Employment benefits
- Expected future income
Loss of Household Services
The deceased person may have contributed through childcare, transportation, household maintenance, cooking, or other services.
Loss of Companionship
The death of a spouse, parent, or child can cause a profound loss of companionship and family relationship.
Mental Anguish
Qualifying family members may experience substantial emotional suffering following an unexpected death.
Loss of Inheritance
Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, a claim may address inheritance the beneficiary might reasonably have received had the deceased person lived a normal lifespan.
Funeral and Related Expenses
Some fatal cases may involve funeral, burial, or other death-related expenses through the appropriate legal claims. Because wrongful-death and survival damages differ, a lawyer should determine which losses belong to beneficiaries and which belong to the estate.
How Is a Wrongful Death Case Valued?
There is no universal wrongful-death settlement amount.
Important factors may include:
- The deceased person’s age
- Income and career
- Number of dependents
- Household contributions
- Relationship with beneficiaries
- Available insurance
- Strength of the liability evidence
- Whether multiple defendants are responsible
- Other case-specific damages
For example, the financial analysis after the death of a young parent who supported minor children may differ substantially from another case.
Economic experts may be needed when calculating decades of lost income and benefits.
What Should a Family Do After a Fatal Accident?
Preserve Important Documents
Keep:
- Police reports
- Insurance letters
- Medical documents
- Employment information
- Funeral records
- Photographs
- Videos
Identify Witnesses
If possible, preserve the names and contact information of people who witnessed the event.
Keep Communications
Save emails, text messages, letters, or other correspondence from insurers, employers, companies, or witnesses.
Avoid Detailed Insurance Statements
Insurance representatives may contact surviving family members quickly. Families should be careful about giving recorded statements or signing releases before understanding their rights.
Avoid Quick Settlement Decisions
A settlement generally ends the claim. Before accepting compensation, the family should understand the full financial consequences of the death and whether additional parties or policies may be involved.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer
An attorney can investigate the accident, preserve evidence, identify the appropriate claimants, and communicate with insurance companies.
Speak With a Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
No financial recovery can replace someone you love. A wrongful-death claim serves a different purpose: holding responsible parties accountable and addressing the financial and personal losses the death has placed on the surviving family.
Roxell Richards Law Firm can investigate the fatal accident, preserve evidence, identify responsible parties, evaluate insurance coverage, and pursue the compensation available under Texas law.
When an accident results in a devastating but survivable injury, our Houston Catastrophic Injury Lawyer page explains claims involving permanent disability and life-changing medical needs.
For broader information about negligence, liability, damages, and other accident claims, visit our Houston Personal Injury Lawyer resource. Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm’s current website specifically states that it represents both personal injury victims and families who have lost loved ones in wrongful-death claims.
Contact Roxell Richards Law Firm today for a free case review.
Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm
6420 Richmond Ave., Suite
135Houston, TX 77057
Call: (713) 974-0388
Attorney Roxell Richards
This Houston Vehicle Accident service page is provided by The Roxell Richards Law Firm, a Texas-based personal injury law firm dedicated to representing individuals injured in vehicular accidents. With a focus on Texas personal injury law, the firm helps victims of vehicle accidents understand their legal rights, navigate complex insurance claims, and pursue fair compensation for their injuries.
Roxell Richards, attorney and founder of The Roxell Richards Law Firm, brings more than 20 years of experience representing clients in motorcycle accident and personal injury cases across Texas. His practice includes handling claims involving serious injuries, contested liability, and insurance coverage disputes. The firm’s legal approach emphasizes clear communication, individualized case evaluation, and client-focused representation at every stage of the legal process.
The legal information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to a vehicle accident, individuals are encouraged to consult with a qualified Texas personal injury attorney.
I’m incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication to my case. If you’re looking for a law firm that genuinely cares about your well-being and delivers results, I highly recommend Roxell Richards Law Firm.
Thank you,
Dr. Leana Jefferson
LEARN YOUR PERSONAL INJURIY ACCIDENT RIGHT NOW!
CASE RESULTS
$3 Million
SETTLEMENT
CAR ACCIDENT
$550,000
SETTLEMENT
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
$600,000
SETTLEMENT
TRUCK ACCIDENT
$541,329
JURY VERDICT
MINOR CAR ACCIDENT
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PRACTICE AREAS
Personal Injury Accidents