San Antonio Wrongful Death Attorneys Near You
Losing a loved one in a fatal accident is one of the most painful experiences a family can go through. On top of the grief, you’re suddenly faced with final expenses, outstanding medical bills, and the very real impact of lost income on your household. You shouldn’t have to handle any of that alone.
The personal injury attorneys at Patterson Law Group have extensive, hands-on experience with wrongful death law in Texas and know what it takes to build a compelling case for the compensation your family deserves. We are here to help you find your footing and move forward. Schedule a free consultation with one of our San Antonio wrongful death lawyers by calling us or filling out our contact form today.
Awards & Accolades
Why Families in San Antonio Choose Patterson Law Group for Wrongful Death Cases
With years of experience serving families across the San Antonio area, Patterson Law Group brings compassionate, dedicated legal support to every wrongful death case we handle. Here is what you can expect when you work with us:
- Personalized Attention: Every family we serve receives individualized counsel and direct access to our legal team throughout the entire process.
- Experience: Our San Antonio wrongful death attorneys have a deep understanding of Texas law and a proven track record in local courts.
- 24/7 Availability: We are reachable around the clock, because we know that questions and concerns don’t always come up during business hours.
- Bilingual Support: Our team provides legal guidance in both English and Spanish, because everyone deserves to fully understand their case.
- No Fees Unless You Win: Patterson Law Group works on a contingency fee basis, meaning your family owes us nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Meet Travis Patterson, San Antonio Wrongful Death Attorney
Travis Patterson is the driving force behind Patterson Law Group and one of our lead wrongful death lawyers in San Antonio. He brings a deep commitment to every case, having helped families across Texas recover meaningful compensation after losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence.
Travis’s dedication to his clients and his community has earned him recognition as a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters, an honor extended to fewer than 5% of attorneys in Texas. If your family is facing the unimaginable pain of losing someone you love, Travis and the team at Patterson Law Group will be by your side every step of the way, fighting for the justice, closure, and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Our Nearby San Antonio Wrongful Death Law Firm
Patterson Law Group
3325 W Sahara
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(817) 784-2000
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims in San Antonio
In San Antonio, a wrongful death case arises when someone loses their life as a result of another party’s negligence, carelessness, or criminal conduct. The impact on the people left behind goes far beyond grief. Families are suddenly confronted with unexpected expenses they never planned for, including burial or cremation costs, final medical bills, funeral arrangements, and in some cases the loss or damage of a vehicle or other property. And that doesn’t even account for the loss of income, both now and in the years ahead.
The financial burden is only part of the picture. The absence of a loved one, the loss of companionship, and the weight of grief can be just as devastating. Spouses, children, parents, and grandparents are among those who feel the deepest impact, and they are often the same people tasked with managing the deceased’s estate during one of the hardest periods of their lives.
A wrongful death claim is a type of personal injury claim that certain family members, known as next of kin, can file to seek compensation for the losses tied to their loved one’s death. While nothing can bring that person back, working with a San Antonio wrongful death lawyer from Patterson Law Group can help hold the responsible party accountable and pursue the financial relief your family needs to move forward.
How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
In Texas, there is a strict deadline for filing a wrongful death claim. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations, and once it passes, you lose your legal right to pursue the case entirely. Under Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, families have two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a wrongful death claim. So if your loved one was injured in a workplace accident or car crash in May but did not pass away until December, the two-year clock begins on the day they died, not the day of the accident.
There are also situations where the statute of limitations may be affected, particularly when the next of kin or the deceased is a minor child. If you are considering a wrongful death lawsuit, reaching out to the San Antonio wrongful death attorneys at Patterson Law Group as soon as possible is critical. Every day that passes matters, and you do not want to forfeit your right to hold the responsible party accountable. Your initial consultation is completely free, so give us a call or fill out our contact form to speak with one of our attorneys today.
Who Has the Right to File a Wrongful Death Claim in San Antonio?
Under Texas law, only certain people have the legal standing to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of someone who has passed. The family members eligible to bring a wrongful death lawsuit include:
- The surviving spouse, even if the couple was separated at the time of death
- The children of the deceased, including adult children
- The parents of the deceased
People who were in a non-marital relationship with the deceased, such as a fiancé or domestic partner, are not eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Those who do qualify may file individually or join together in a group claim. If the eligible family members do not file within three months, the personal representative or executor of the estate may step in and file the wrongful death claim on the family’s behalf.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Wrongful Death in San Antonio?
In San Antonio and the surrounding communities, wrongful death claims most commonly arise from accidents such as:
- Car accidents, including those involving drunk or distracted drivers.
- Semi-truck and delivery truck accidents, which can involve factors like intoxication, driver fatigue, or defective vehicle parts, among other contributing causes. Truck accident cases can be particularly complex when it comes to establishing liability, so reaching out to a San Antonio truck accident attorney early is important.
- Workplace accidents, such as injuries sustained on a construction site.
- Oilfield accidents.
- Motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists face serious risks on the road with very little protection between them and the pavement. If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, a San Antonio motorcycle accident attorney from our team can help.
- Bicycle accidents. Like motorcyclists, cyclists are especially vulnerable to catastrophic injury or death. Our San Antonio bicycle accident lawyers are here to help families pursue justice after a fatal bicycle crash.
- Medical malpractice.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Pedestrian accidents.
- Commercial vehicle accidents in San Antonio.
Patterson Law Group has built a reputation for providing dedicated legal representation for wrongful death families across San Antonio, Boerne, New Braunfels, and the surrounding areas. With a background that includes experience in insurance defense, we understand exactly how these companies operate and what it takes to negotiate on behalf of families navigating one of the hardest losses imaginable.
What Damages Are Available in a San Antonio Wrongful Death Case?
When a wrongful death claim is successful, surviving family members may be entitled to financial compensation for a wide range of losses. The types and amounts will vary depending on the specifics of your case, but recoverable damages typically fall into both economic and non-economic categories. These can include:
- Medical expenses connected to the injury, any ongoing care that was required, and final medical costs
- Lost income that the deceased would have provided to the family
- Loss of inheritance for direct heirs, such as a surviving spouse or children
- Final expenses, including burial, cremation, and funeral services
- Loss of care, support, and companionship from your loved one
- Mental and emotional suffering resulting from the loss, which may include depression, anxiety, and PTSD
- Punitive damages against the defendant in cases where the death resulted from malicious or particularly egregious conduct, with the aim of punishing the wrongdoer and discouraging similar behavior in the future
Every wrongful death case is different, and the compensation available to your family will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding your loss. An experienced wrongful death attorney will take a close look at every detail of your case to identify all available avenues for recovery and handle negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf. Schedule your free case review with the wrongful death lawyers at Patterson Law Group today.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a San Antonio Wrongful Death Case?
The straightforward answer is that any person, group, or entity whose actions caused the death can be held legally responsible. But identifying exactly who that is can be far more complicated than it sounds, depending on the nature of the fatal accident and the specific facts involved. That is why working with an experienced wrongful death attorney who knows how to investigate and establish fault is such a critical first step.
Reach Out to a San Antonio Wrongful Death Attorney at Patterson Law Group
The right San Antonio wrongful death attorney can make an enormous difference for families navigating one of the most difficult times of their lives. A skilled legal team will work to gather and preserve all the evidence needed to build a strong claim, while staying on top of every deadline that could affect your case.
At Patterson Law Group, our San Antonio personal injury attorneys bring years of hands-on experience handling wrongful death cases across Texas. We are deeply committed to standing up for the families we serve. To get started, reach out for a free case review by filling out our contact form or calling 817-784-2000.
