Get Justice For Your Loved One With Our Wrongful Death Attorneys
The anger and sense of wrongness when you lose someone you love is worse when they pass away due to an avoidable accident or the negligence of another party. A wrongful death is more than just an accident. It’s a death that would not have happened if another person, like someone else driving on the road or entity, like the manufacturer of prescription drugs, had taken the proper, legally required steps for their safety. If this happens to your family, you may be eligible for a significant settlement. Our Stafford, TX wrongful death lawyer can help you understand your rights under Texas law.
The attorneys at Culpepper Law Group deliver compassionate, dedicated legal advocacy for your family after losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence. We have the resources to take on powerful opponents, including consumer goods manufacturers or a healthcare facility. And, we act as your legal representative and liaison with the other party, handling all your legal matters so you can mourn and heal in peace. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Our Stafford Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help You
Not every death reaches the legal requirements for a wrongful death, so our first step is to carefully investigate the matter to gather evidence proving the negligence of the person or entity responsible for the death of your loved one. We build a strong case based on Texas tort laws, demonstrating how the at-fault party had a duty of care for your loved one’s safety but, through negligence or oversight, abandoned that duty of care, causing the death of your family member.
Many times, we’re able to settle wrongful death claims out of court, saving you the stress and expense of a trial. As trained negotiators, our attorneys can often get a better settlement for your family than you would alone—and certainly better than the insurance company’s initial offer.
Types Of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle
Wrongful death can occur in many different circumstances. The only thing these cases have in common is that the victim would not have been harmed but for the defendant's actions. It’s important to work with a law firm with the resources, experience, and knowledge necessary to handle any personal injury claim.
Some of the most common types of claims we handle involve:
- Semi-truck collisions
- DUI accidents, representing the victims
- Workplace or construction site accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
- Dangerous drugs
- Faulty or contaminated consumer products
- Toxic exposure
If you don’t see the cause of your loved one’s death listed here, we can still evaluate your claim; this is just a representative sampling of typical incidents that result in a wrongful death.
The attorneys at Culpepper Law Group are dedicated to your best interests. We protect your family as you advocate for your rights. As your Stafford wrongful death lawyer, we ensure your voice is heard and your loved one gets justice. Please contact us today for a free consultation.
Key Differences Between Wrongful Death And Criminal Charges
Our Stafford, TX wrongful death lawyer explains that when a person loses their life due to someone else’s actions, the law offers two distinct courses: civil and criminal. While both routes may stem from the same incident, they serve different purposes and follow different rules. In wrongful death lawsuits, the focus is on compensating the family. Criminal charges, on the other hand, aim to punish and deter unlawful behavior. These two legal approaches may overlap in circumstances, but they are built on separate foundations.
Focus Of Each Legal Process
Wrongful death cases are civil actions brought by the surviving family members or representatives of the deceased's estate. The primary goal is to recover financial damages for losses such as lost income, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship. Criminal charges, however, are brought by the state and focus on penalizing the defendant for breaking the law. Punishments may include jail time, probation, or other legal penalties.
Standard Of Proof Required
The standards used in civil versus criminal court differ greatly. In wrongful death claims, the burden of proof is "preponderance of the evidence," meaning it must be more likely than not that the defendant’s actions caused the death. Criminal charges require a higher standard: guilt must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This significant difference means a defendant can be found liable in civil court even if acquitted in criminal court.
Types Of Outcomes In Each Case
In a civil wrongful death lawsuit, the outcome usually involves a monetary judgment. These financial awards are designed to help the surviving family members handle the economic and emotional impact of their loss. In criminal proceedings, outcomes can include imprisonment, fines payable to the state, or other sanctions. The victim’s family does not directly receive compensation from a criminal conviction, though restitution may sometimes be ordered.
Initiating Parties And Legal Control
Another key distinction lies in who controls the legal process. A wrongful death claim is filed and managed by private individuals, typically the deceased person’s relatives or estate representative. They choose the attorney and determine whether to settle or go to trial. In contrast, criminal cases are prosecuted by the government. According to our skilled Stafford wrongful death lawyer, decisions such as whether to press charges, negotiate a plea deal, or pursue a trial are made by public prosecutors, not the victim’s family.
Overlap And Separate Timelines
Both legal processes can occur at the same time or in succession. For example, a person may face criminal charges and later be named in a civil wrongful death lawsuit for the same death. While one does not depend on the other, outcomes in one court may influence public perception and media coverage of the other. However, each court system follows its procedures and timelines, which can vary greatly.
Conclusion On Legal Recourse After A Loss
Wrongful death lawsuits and criminal charges serve different but important purposes in response to a loss of life. One offers financial relief and a form of justice for surviving loved ones, while the other holds individuals accountable under criminal law. Our team at Culpepper Law Group can attest to how both paths may offer different forms of closure for grieving families. If you’ve lost someone due to another person’s actions, our Stafford wrongful death lawyer can help you understand your options and pursue compensation.
