When someone in your family dies as a result of another person’s negligence, you can recover substantial compensation for your losses. Damages in Missouri City, TX wrongful death cases, however, are not automatic. To collect the compensation you deserve, you need a lawyer who will fight tirelessly for you.
The wrongful death lawyers at Schechter Shaffer & Harris have collected millions of dollars for bereaved families in wrongful death lawsuits. We use our knowledge and extensive experience to pursue the full reimbursement you need to move on after your tragic loss.
The Basics of Wrongful Death Damages
The damages that you might recover in your Missouri City wrongful death lawsuit will be a function of the accident victim’s age, regular income, and future ability to earn salary and wages, as well as the impact of the death on the victims’ family. The family can also claim reimbursement for burial expenses.
The intent of a damages award is to repay the economic costs and expenses caused by the wrongful death, where those costs and expenses are reflected on receipts, pay stubs, and similar documents. Wrongful death damages also compensate a family for losses that may not be shown on receipts, such as:
- The services and support that the accident victim provided to the family
- The absence of the victim’s companionship
- Inheritance reduction due to the victim’s early or untimely death
- Anguish and dislocation that the death imposed on the family.
The insurance companies that cover wrongful death negligence inevitably downplay the value of these non-economic losses. A skillful attorney is a family’s best resource to fight insurance company efforts to minimize the impact of a victim’s death.
With Limited Exceptions, Non-Economic Wrongful Death Damages are Uncapped
If a wrongful death occurred in the context of a medical malpractice claim, State law imposes an upper limit of between $250,000 and $750,000 on the non-economic damages that a family might recover. The law places no limits on direct economic damages, nor does it limit non-economic damages in lawsuits for negligence other than medical malpractice. We can provide a family with an analysis of any specific caps that may apply in their case.
Punitive Damages for Wrongful Death May Also Be Available
Unlike compensatory damages, which are intended to reimburse a family for its economic and non-economic losses in a Missouri City wrongful death case, punitive damages are intended to punish a negligent party for willful or egregious misconduct that led to the victim’s death. That conduct might include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, particularly if the driver had previous DUI or DWI citations
- Intentional, malicious, or violent physical assaults or attacks
- Willful disregard for a worker’s safety, such as when a company does not comply with safety standards
- Fraudulent concealment of hazardous conditions.
Punitive damages are rare in wrongful death cases, and courts will impose a high standard of proof before awarding them. Nonetheless, a seasoned lawyer who is fighting aggressively for a bereaved family will always evaluate the feasibility of a punitive damages claim.
Call Our Missouri City, TX Attorneys for Your Best Option to Recover Wrongful Death Damages
No amount of compensation can fully replace the companionship you lose when a family member dies in a tragic event. At best, a wrongful death damages award can help you maintain your lifestyle to get you and your family back on their feet after a loss.
The injury lawyers at Schechter Shaffer & Harris know this, and we treat every claim for damages in Missouri City wrongful death cases with the sensitivity and dignity that your family deserves. Please call us to discuss your options today.
