Lubbock Wrongful Death Attorney

Losing someone you love is one of life’s hardest experiences. When that loss happens suddenly, unexpectedly, and worst of all, because someone else was careless or negligent, it can feel like your world has been flipped upside down.

Grief doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and the last thing most families want to think about in those early days is legal issues. But when financial burdens, unanswered questions, and a sense that justice has not been served start to pile up, having someone to walk beside you matters a lot.

If your family has lost a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or close relative due to someone else’s actions, a Lubbock wrongful death lawyer can help. At Barrera Law Group LLC, we’re here to support you through the legal process with compassion, clarity, and fierce advocacy.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?

In Texas, a wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that families can file when someone dies because another person acted negligently, recklessly, or intentionally.

Wrongful death cases are not criminal cases. That means the goal isn’t to put someone in jail; this is to hold them financially accountable for the loss you have suffered. Even if no criminal charges were filed or the responsible party was not criminally convicted, you may still have a valid wrongful death claim.

That’s because civil law has a different purpose. It makes sure families are not left to carry the weight of medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, and emotional fallout all by themselves.

Wrongful Death in Lubbock and West Texas

In Lubbock and West Texas, our way of life comes with unique risks. Long drives across open highways, heavy commercial and oilfield traffic, busy neighborhoods around Texas Tech, and sprawling rural roads all increase the chance of serious accidents.

Unfortunately, fatalities don’t take a break:

A collision on Loop 289 involving a big rig can devastate a family.
A distracted driver heading to or from town can change a childhood forever.
A construction accident at an oilfield site can destroy years of hard work in a split second.

Rural areas can also mean delayed emergency response, which can turn survivable injuries into tragic losses. Healthcare and nursing facilities are meant to protect our loved ones. However, when understaffing, poor supervision, or mistakes occurs, families are left with unanswered questions and deep pain.

A wrongful death lawyer who knows Lubbock, including its roads, its courts, and its communities, can spot details that matter. We know how to investigate, identify every responsible party, and pursue the compensation your family deserves.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Lubbock

In our part of West Texas, certain kinds of tragic accidents happen more often than others, including:

Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents

High-speed collisions on Loop 289, U.S. 84, SH‑114, and other West Texas highways, including multi-vehicle crashes, commercial truck collisions, and motorcycle wrecks, are a leading cause of fatal injuries. Heavy traffic, long stretches of open road, and distracted driving all contribute to these tragic accidents.

Workplace Injuries and Oilfield Accidents

Fatal accidents in construction, manufacturing, oilfields, and industrial facilities are unfortunately common in Lubbock County and surrounding West Texas. Many involve safety violations, faulty machinery, improper training, or employer negligence, making wrongful death claims an important option for affected families.

Defective Products and Dangerous Machinery Claims

Deaths caused by malfunctioning equipment, unsafe machinery, or hazardous consumer products can leave families devastated. Manufacturers, distributors, or property owners may be held responsible under Texas law for negligence that causes fatal injuries.

Medical Malpractice and Hospital Negligence

Fatal outcomes due to surgical mistakes, misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, medication errors, or mismanaged care can justify a wrongful death claim. Families deserve answers, accountability, and support during this difficult time.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Elderly residents deserve safety, dignity, and attentive care. When neglect, understaffing, improper supervision, or mistreatment leads to a resident’s death, families may be entitled to pursue legal action against the responsible parties.

Premises Liability and Unsafe Property Accidents

Fatal falls and injuries on unsafe private or commercial property, from unmarked hazards, broken stairs, wet floors, poor lighting, or general neglect, are preventable. Property owners and managers have a duty to maintain safe premises, and failure to do so can result in legal liability.

Every family’s story is different. However, the common thread is this: when someone’s negligence contributes to a preventable death, the surviving loved ones should not have to carry the burden by themselves.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?

Texas law limits who may bring a wrongful death lawsuit. Typically, eligible people include:

A surviving spouse
Children, including legally adopted children
Parents of the deceased

If none of these files are filed within three months of the death, the executor or administrator of the estate may bring the claim, unless family members object.

That might sound simple on paper, but in real life, especially with blended families, stepchildren, or multiple siblings, it can get confusing fast.

That’s where an experienced Lubbock wrongful death lawyer becomes valuable. They can make sure the right people are involved, deadlines are met, and everyone’s legal rights are protected.

What Compensation Is Available in a Wrongful Death Case?

Wrongful death claims exist to help families recover losses that come with the sudden and often catastrophic death of a loved one.

Depending on the circumstances, available compensation may include:

Financial Losses

Funeral, burial, and memorial expenses: These costs add up quickly, and families shouldn’t have to shoulder them alone.
Loss of financial support and future income: If the person who died contributed financially to the household, that loss can ripple out for years.
Loss of household services: Things like childcare, home care, transportation, and everyday contributions all have real value.
Medical expenses before death: From ER bills to ICU stays, these are often steep and unexpected.

Emotional and Quality‑of‑Life Losses

Loss of companionship, guidance, and love: There’s no price tag for missing birthdays, holidays, or everyday moments, but Texas law recognizes the emotional impact.
Mental anguish and emotional suffering: The trauma of a sudden loss can affect families long after the funeral.

Punitive Damages

In rare cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may be awarded; not to benefit the family financially, but to punish especially reckless conduct and discourage it from happening to someone else.

Since every case is unique, the value of a claim depends on factors like age, income, family role, and the nature of the negligence involved. We take all of that into account when building your claim.

How Negligence Leads to Wrongful Death

Most wrongful death lawsuits are rooted in negligence. Someone failed to act with reasonable care, and a loved one paid the ultimate price.

To prove negligence in court, your lawyer must show:

The defendant owed a duty of care (for example, a driver must follow traffic laws)
That duty was breached (they ran a red light)
The breach directly caused the death
Surviving family members suffered damages as a result

Negligence can look different in every case: unsafe road conditions, ignored safety standards, malfunctioning equipment, or failure to supervise all can play a role.

Thorough investigation and experienced legal representation are needed to make sure the full picture is understood.

The Deadline for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

Time matters. In most cases, Texas gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Miss that deadline, and you may lose your right to pursue compensation forever.

There are limited exceptions, but they’re rare and hard to navigate without legal guidance. Speaking with an attorney early helps preserve evidence and protects your family’s legal rights from day one.

Why Work with a Lubbock Wrongful Death Lawyer?

You don’t have to manage this by yourself. Grief is heavy enough without juggling paperwork, insurance companies, investigations, and legal strategy.

A seasoned wrongful death attorney can:

Investigate the cause of death carefully and thoroughly
Gather evidence and consult trusted experts
Identify all responsible parties, not just the obvious ones
Communicate with insurance companies on your behalf
Handle all filings, deadlines, and legal strategy
Pursue fair compensation, whether through settlement or trial

Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death in Lubbock

How is a wrongful death case different from a criminal case?

A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil claim focused on financial accountability. It can proceed even if no criminal charges were filed or the defendant wasn’t convicted.

What if my loved one was partially at fault?

Texas uses a modified comparative fault rule. You may still recover compensation as long as your loved one wasn’t more than 50% responsible.

How long does a wrongful death case take?

There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all answer. Some cases resolve in months; others take longer, especially if insurance disputes or complex liability issues are involved.

What if the death was caused by a company or employer?

Claims can be filed against businesses, manufacturers, property owners, and third parties. Workplace deaths often involve additional legal paths beyond workers’ compensation.

Do wrongful death cases usually go to trial?

Many cases are settled, but strong settlements often come from attorneys prepared to go before a jury if needed, and that’s how we approach every case.

Contact a Lubbock Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

This isn’t paperwork. This isn’t legal jargon. This is your life, your loss, your family’s future.

If someone you loved was taken from you because of another’s actions or negligence, you deserve help. This is not just about today’s bills, but about tomorrow’s stability and peace of mind. At Barrera Law Group LLC, we treat every family with honesty, compassion, and respect. We will listen to your story, walk you through your options, and fight to make sure your voice is heard.

Let us handle the legal weight, so you can focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory.

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