Answers, accountability, and a lawyer who treats your family like a family.

No case can bring back someone you love. But when a death was caused by a careless driver, an unsafe company, or a defective product, a wrongful death claim can bring answers about what happened, hold the responsible parties accountable, and protect the family’s financial future.

Josh Hopkins has represented families in wrongful death cases for more than 30 years, including families in some of the most serious crashes he has ever handled. He handles every case personally.

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas

Under the Texas Wrongful Death Act, the surviving spouse, children (including adult children), and parents of the person who died may bring a claim. Siblings and grandparents generally cannot.

Separately, the person’s estate may bring a survival claim for what the person suffered before death, including medical bills, pain, and funeral expenses.

What Families May Recover

• Lost financial support the person would have provided
• Loss of care, advice, and services
• Loss of companionship and society
• Mental anguish
• Lost inheritance
• Medical and funeral expenses (through the estate)
• In cases of gross negligence, exemplary damages

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

• 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle crashes
• Drunk and distracted drivers
• Oilfield, refinery, and industrial accidents
• Maritime and offshore accidents
• Defective products and vehicles
• Medical negligence

What the Investigation Involves

Families deserve to know exactly what happened. Josh works to preserve vehicle data, company records, maintenance logs, and witness testimony quickly, before evidence is lost, and brings in engineers and other experts when the cause is technical.

Don’t Wait — Deadlines Apply

Every claim has a legal deadline to file, and some are much shorter than people expect, especially claims involving a government vehicle, property, or employee, which can require written notice within months. Missing a deadline can end a claim permanently. The deadline in your case depends on your specific facts, so talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.

This information is general and is not legal advice. Reading this website or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all family members have to agree?

Texas law lets any eligible family member bring the claim, but it’s usually best for the family to work together in one case. We help families coordinate so everyone’s interests are protected.

What if the death happened at work?

Texas workers’ compensation can limit claims against an employer, but there are exceptions, including gross negligence claims by the spouse and children, and claims against other companies on the job site.

How much does it cost?

Nothing up front. Wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency fee, so there’s no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you. The firm advances all case expenses. They are repaid from the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe nothing. Fee terms are explained in writing before you sign anything.

Talk to Josh Hopkins Today

If you have lost a loved one, talk to Josh directly. There is no cost to talk. Call 361-31-LAWYR (361-315-2948) or request a free case review online. Se habla español.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Josh Hopkins is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Lawyer responsible for this content: Josh Hopkins, Corpus Christi, Texas.