Damages For Wrongful Death Lawyer Houston, TX
Damages For Wrongful Death Lawyer Houston, TX
If you have lost someone in an accident, you may feel angry, confused, and at a loss for words. Even thinking about whether or not compensation may be available might feel impossible; however, at some point, you should take time to determine if there are legal options. At John K. Zaid & Associates, we offer our condolences to you and your loved ones. As a wrongful death lawyer Houston, TX families trust, we have helped a large number of families recover compensation for the loss of a family member. If you would like to learn more about damages, wrongful death lawyer in Houston, TX, such as John K. Zaid & Associates, can listen to what you have to say during a consultation.
Survival Action: What happens if Someone Dies During a Personal Injury Claim?
While most people will relate a wrongful death to a case that involves a person who lost their life soon after an accident involving negligence, sometimes the person will die after they have already filed a case. If this occurred, it is recommended that you ask a wrongful death lawyer in Houston, TX about damages that may be recovered.
To lose a loved one is difficult. It may feel even more unfair if the person dies due to the action or negligence of someone else. What do you do if your loved one had a personal injury claim, but dies before he or she settles the case? The case does not have to disappear and you do not have to drop it. If you have a loved one that died in the middle of a personal injury claim, you may be able to file a survival action.
Survival Action
If your loved one dies before he or she settles the case, then the family can likely continue the claim on his or her behalf. This is done through a survival action claim. The person who brings the claim or suit is a representative of the deceased. This will usually be a family member. Most often close family, such as a spouse, parent, or child of the deceased. In addition, your loved one had to have had a personal injury claim in the works beforehand. The at fault party also needs to be the cause of the personal injury and death. In general, you will work with the same personal injury lawyer; however, this is not always true. Therefore, if you want to know how you can recover damages, Houston, Texas wrongful death lawyers from our firm can talk with you about your options.
Damages in Survival Action
If you represent your loved one in a survival action suit, then you will seek the same damages that he or she would have received if he or she won. These cases can be used to pay off medical bills or assist with funeral costs and other economic damages associated with the loss of life. These damages may include:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Now, keep in mind that your survival action does not include the pain and suffering of the family. You would have to file a separate wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims typically cover the noneconomic damages. For instance, you can file suit for loss of companionship or for loss of guidance. The survival action, on the other hand, does not cover this. To explore your options for non-economic damages, wrongful death lawyers in Houston, TX can listen to what you have to say and help you to make a sound decision on how to proceed.
When your loved one loses his or her life as a result of injuries due to another person, it’s difficult enough. To lose someone that you care about is devastating. It doesn’t matter if the death occurs days, weeks, or years after the injury. If an injury leads to someone’s death before his or her personal injury suit settles, then you still have a right to follow up on it. To speed along the process, and to explore your rights to recover damages, wrongful death lawyers in Houston, TX, from John K. Zaid & Associates would like to invite you to call us for a consultation.
