Texas Wrongful Death Lawyers

Relentless Legal Representation for the Rio Grande Valley & All of Texas

Relentless legal advocacy for families in McAllen, San Juan, and across Texas.

Providing relentless legal representation across Texas.

McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley

If you lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, Chris Sanchez — The Relentless Lawyer — fights to hold them accountable and secure the compensation your family deserves. Call (956) 686-4357 for a free consultation.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed when someone dies as a result of another person’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. Under the Texas Wrongful Death Act (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.002), certain surviving family members have the right to seek financial compensation for their losses.

While no amount of money can replace your loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit provides two things: financial stability for your family and accountability for the negligent party. Common wrongful death cases handled by Chris Sanchez include car and truck accidents, 18-wheeler crashes, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, and defective products.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?

Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004, a wrongful death claim may be brought by the deceased person’s:

• ✓ Surviving spouse
• ✓ Children (including legally adopted children)
• ✓ Parents

If none of these individuals file within three months of the death, the executor or administrator of the estate may file on behalf of the estate under § 71.004(b).

Statute of Limitations: 2 Years to File in Texas

In Texas, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is two years from the date of death, under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Missing this deadline permanently eliminates the right to sue. If the death resulted from a government vehicle or government employee’s negligence, a formal notice of claim must be filed within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act (§ 101.101). Contact Chris Sanchez immediately after losing a loved one to preserve your family’s legal rights.

Damages Recoverable in a Texas Wrongful Death Claim

Texas law allows surviving family members to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Chris Sanchez works with financial experts and medical professionals to calculate the full scope of your losses.

Type of Damage	What It Covers
Lost Earning Capacity	Income the deceased would have provided over their lifetime
Loss of Companionship	Loss of love, comfort, guidance, and society
Mental Anguish	Emotional pain and suffering of surviving family members
Lost Inheritance	Assets the deceased would have left to the family
Medical Expenses	Medical care received before the death
Funeral & Burial Costs	All expenses associated with the funeral and burial

In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, exemplary (punitive) damages may also be awarded under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.003.

Why Choose Chris Sanchez as Your Texas Wrongful Death Attorney?

Chris Sanchez — The Relentless Lawyer — is a McAllen-based personal injury attorney who represents families across Texas on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win your case. He brings the same determination to wrongful death cases that has earned him a reputation throughout the Rio Grande Valley and statewide.

• Bilingual representation (English & Spanish)
• Offices in McAllen, San Antonio, and Houston
• No upfront fees — we only get paid when you do
• Direct access to Chris, not a paralegal

Frequently Asked Questions — Texas Wrongful Death Law

What is the statute of limitations for a wrongful death case in Texas?

Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, families have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Missing this deadline permanently ends the right to sue. Contact a Texas wrongful death attorney immediately after losing a loved one to preserve your legal options.

Who is eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas?

Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004, only the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased may bring a wrongful death claim. If none of them file within three months of the death, the estate executor may file on their behalf.

How much is a wrongful death case worth in Texas?

Value depends on the deceased’s age, income, life expectancy, strength of the negligence case, and available insurance. Economic damages alone can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Non-economic damages — including mental anguish and loss of companionship — are uncapped in Texas wrongful death cases.

Can I file a wrongful death claim if the deceased had no income?

Yes. Texas wrongful death law recognizes non-economic damages — including loss of companionship, guidance, and love — which do not depend on the deceased’s income. Parents who lose a child, or children who lose a stay-at-home parent, can still recover substantial compensation.

What if the deceased was partially at fault for their death?

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001. If the deceased was less than 51% at fault, the family can still recover damages reduced by their fault percentage. At 51% or more at fault, no recovery is allowed.

What is a survival claim versus a wrongful death claim in Texas?

A survival claim under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.021 lets the estate recover damages the deceased suffered before death — such as pain and suffering and lost wages. A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their own losses. Both are often filed together in Texas.

How long does a wrongful death lawsuit take in Texas?

Most Texas wrongful death cases settle within 12 to 24 months. Cases involving disputed liability, multiple defendants such as trucking companies, or significant insurance coverage may take longer. Cases going to trial in Hidalgo County courts typically take 2 to 3 years from filing.

Do I need a lawyer for a wrongful death case in Texas?

Yes. Wrongful death cases involve complex liability investigations, accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and aggressive insurance defense teams. Chris Sanchez handles wrongful death cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win. Call (956) 686-4357 for a free consultation.

Our Texas Law Offices

From McAllen, San Antonio, and Houston, Chris Sanchez provides local, compassionate representation with the resources of a statewide firm, ready to fight for families across Texas.

McAllen Office: 317 W. Nolana Avenue, McAllen, TX 78504 — (956) 686-4357
San Antonio: 4040 Broadway STE 525, San Antonio, TX 78209 — (210) 405-6160 (By Appointment)
Houston: 9801 Westheimer Rd STE 300, Houston, TX 77042 — (832) 979-4341 (By Appointment)

Cities We Serve in the Rio Grande Valley

Chris Sanchez handles cases throughout South Texas. He litigates regularly in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr County District Courts. No matter where your accident happened in the Rio Grande Valley, we can help.

Proving a wrongful death claim in Texas requires establishing four key elements: the death of a person, that the death was caused by another’s negligence or intent, that the claimants are statutory beneficiaries, and that financial damages resulted from the death. Chris Sanchez conducts deep investigations, subpoenaing phone records, black box data, and surveillance footage to prove liability beyond a doubt.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in the Rio Grande Valley

• 18-Wheeler Crashes: Violations of FMCSA safety hours or improper maintenance on I-2 and I-69C.
• Drunk Driving: Holding both the driver and potentially the establishment accountable under Texas Dram Shop laws.
• Workplace Explosions: Negligence in industrial zones and oil refineries in South Texas.

Why Immediate Investigation Matters

Evidence in Texas wrongful death cases disappears quickly. Skid marks fade, logbooks are “lost,” and witnesses move away. When you hire The Relentless Lawyer, our team immediately issues spoliation letters to preserve all evidence, ensuring the truth is protected for your family’s future.

Cities We Serve in the Rio Grande Valley

Chris Sanchez handles cases throughout South Texas. He litigates regularly in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr County District Courts. No matter where your accident happened in the Rio Grande Valley, we can help.

Cities We Serve in the Rio Grande Valley

Chris Sanchez handles cases throughout South Texas. He litigates regularly in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr County District Courts. No matter where your accident happened in the Rio Grande Valley, we can help.

Don’t let insurance companies undervalue your suffering. Chris Sanchez handles complex injury cases with “Small Town Compassion and Big City Results.”

Small Town Compassion. Big City Results.

Don’t face insurance companies alone. Attorney Chris Sanchez has the experience and determination to win your case. Offices in McAllen and San Juan.