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Losing someone you love because of another person’s careless or reckless actions is one of the hardest things a family can face. The grief alone is overwhelming. But when that loss was preventable, families in Bridgeport, Texas, and the surrounding Wise County area deserve answers, accountability, and real financial support. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we work with families who have lost loved ones due to the negligence of others, helping them understand their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve under Texas law. If you are dealing with a situation like this, speaking with personal injury lawyers who understand Texas wrongful death law is one of the most important steps you can take right now.

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What Texas Law Says About Wrongful Death Claims

Texas law gives families a legal path to hold negligent parties accountable when a loved one dies because of someone else’s actions. That path is defined by Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, commonly called the Texas Wrongful Death Act. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002, a person is liable for damages arising from an injury that causes another individual’s death when that injury resulted from the person’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.

This statute is broad enough to cover a wide range of fatal accidents. Car accidents on U.S. Highway 380 near Bridgeport, truck crashes along State Highway 114, workplace fatalities at oil fields in Wise County, construction site deaths, fatal slip and falls, and even nursing home abuse cases can all fall under this law. The common thread is that someone else’s failure to act reasonably caused your family member’s death.

Texas is not alone in this. The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in Moragne v. States Marine Lines, 398 U.S. 375 (1970) that every state in the country has enacted a wrongful death statute, reflecting a clear national public policy against allowing negligent parties to escape liability simply because their actions resulted in death rather than injury. Texas’s version of that policy is codified in Chapter 71, and it gives your family real legal standing to act.

The law does not require a criminal conviction. Even if no criminal charges are filed, a civil wrongful death claim can still succeed. The burden of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal one, meaning your family can pursue justice in civil court regardless of what happens in any criminal proceeding.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Bridgeport, Texas

Texas law is specific about who has the legal right to file a wrongful death claim. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.004, an action for wrongful death is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. These are the only parties who can bring a claim directly under the statute.

That means siblings, grandparents, cousins, and other relatives generally do not have standing to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas, no matter how close they were to the person who died. This is a hard rule, and it catches many families off guard. If you are unsure whether you qualify, call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

Biological and legally adopted children qualify. Stepchildren do not qualify unless they were legally adopted by the deceased. Similarly, natural or adoptive parents can recover for the wrongful death of their child, but stepparents cannot unless they completed a legal adoption. Common-law spouses who meet the requirements under Texas law are also eligible to file as a surviving spouse.

Under Section 71.004(c), if the qualifying beneficiaries do not file an action within three months of the death, the executor or administrator of the estate may file on behalf of the beneficiaries, unless all beneficiaries instruct otherwise. This does not extend the overall two-year deadline, so waiting is never a safe option. One action covers all beneficiaries, and a judgment in that action generally prevents separate suits by other family members on the same claim.

The Deadline to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas

The deadline to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas is firm. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, families have two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a claim. Miss that deadline, and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, leaving the family with no legal recourse, regardless of how strong the evidence is.

The clock starts on the date of death, not the date of the accident. If your family member was injured in a crash near Lake Bridgeport on one date but passed away from those injuries weeks later, the two-year period begins on the day they died, not the day of the crash. That distinction matters in cases where a person survives an accident for a period of time before succumbing to their injuries.

There are limited exceptions that can pause or extend this deadline. If a surviving child is a minor at the time of the parent’s death, that child’s individual claim does not begin to run until they turn 18. However, this tolling applies only to the minor’s claim. A surviving spouse or parent must still file within the standard two-year window. Other exceptions include cases involving fraud by the defendant to conceal their negligence, or situations where a beneficiary was physically or mentally incapacitated at the time of the death.

Two years can disappear fast. Evidence fades, witnesses move away, surveillance footage gets deleted, and accident reconstruction becomes harder. Acting quickly gives your legal team the best chance to preserve what matters most. If you lost a loved one in Bridgeport or anywhere in Wise County, contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys as soon as possible.

What Damages a Wrongful Death Claim Can Recover

A successful wrongful death claim in Texas can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the financial losses your family can document. Non-economic damages address the personal and emotional harm your family has suffered. Both categories are available to qualifying beneficiaries under the Texas Wrongful Death Act.

Economic damages include the loss of the deceased’s financial support, the value of household services they provided, medical expenses incurred before death, and funeral and burial costs. Think about what your family member contributed every year, whether through a paycheck, childcare, home maintenance, or other forms of support. Texas courts allow evidence of the deceased’s probable life expectancy to calculate how long those contributions would have continued.

Non-economic damages cover the loss of companionship, care, guidance, and emotional support. A surviving spouse can seek compensation for the loss of the love and affection of their partner. A parent who loses a child, or a child who loses a parent, can recover for the loss of that relationship and the mental anguish caused by the death.

In cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.009 allows for exemplary damages, which are sometimes called punitive damages. These go beyond compensating the family and are intended to punish especially reckless behavior. A drunk driving crash that kills someone near Bridgeport City Park, for example, could support a claim for exemplary damages against the at-fault driver.

Past results in wrongful death cases vary based on the specific facts, the applicable law, and many other factors. No outcome can be guaranteed. What we can promise is that Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys will work hard to build the strongest possible case for your family.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Bridgeport and Wise County

Wrongful death claims in the Bridgeport area arise from many different types of incidents. Wise County’s mix of rural highways, active oil and gas operations, commercial truck traffic, and construction activity creates real risks for workers and drivers every day. Understanding the most common causes helps families recognize when they may have a claim.

Fatal car and truck accidents are among the most frequent causes. State Highway 114 and U.S. Highway 380 both see significant commercial traffic, and crashes involving large trucks, drunk drivers, or distracted motorists can be deadly. When a commercial truck driver, an Amazon delivery vehicle, or a company fleet vehicle causes a fatal crash, the trucking company and its insurer may share liability alongside the driver.

Oil rig and drilling accidents are a serious concern in Wise County, where energy production is a major industry. Workers on drilling sites face risks from equipment failures, blowouts, falls, and toxic exposure. When an employer’s failure to follow safety standards leads to a worker’s death, the surviving family may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party wrongful death claim.

Construction accidents, premises liability incidents such as fatal falls or structural collapses, and cases involving negligent security at commercial properties also generate wrongful death claims in this region. Even dog bite attacks can turn fatal, particularly when a victim is elderly or has underlying health conditions.

No matter what caused your family’s loss, the legal team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is ready to review your situation. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We serve families in Bridgeport, Decatur, Denton, and throughout Wise and Denton counties. The Denton County courthouse on Carroll Boulevard is where many of these civil cases ultimately proceed, and our attorneys are familiar with the local courts and processes that affect your claim.

FAQs About Bridgeport Wrongful Death Claims

Can I file a wrongful death claim if the at-fault party was also charged with a crime?

Yes. A civil wrongful death claim and a criminal case are separate legal proceedings. You do not need to wait for the outcome of any criminal case before filing a civil claim. In fact, waiting could put you at risk of missing the two-year statute of limitations under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. The standard of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case, so a civil claim can succeed even if criminal charges are dropped or result in an acquittal.

What is the difference between a wrongful death claim and a survival action in Texas?

A wrongful death claim is brought by surviving family members, specifically the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased, to recover for their own losses, such as lost financial support and loss of companionship. A survival action, governed by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.021, is brought by the deceased’s estate and covers damages the deceased person could have claimed if they had lived, including medical expenses, pain and suffering before death, and property damage. Both types of claims can often be filed together after a fatal accident.

How long does a wrongful death case in Texas typically take to resolve?

The timeline varies depending on the facts of the case, the number of parties involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve within several months through settlement negotiations. Others, particularly those involving disputed liability or complex damages, can take a year or more. Starting the process early gives your legal team more time to gather evidence, consult experts, and build a strong case before any deadlines approach.

Does Texas cap the amount of damages available in a wrongful death case?

Texas does not cap economic or non-economic damages in most wrongful death cases involving private parties. However, if the defendant is a government entity, special rules and damage caps may apply under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Medical malpractice wrongful death cases are also subject to specific caps on non-economic damages under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 74. An attorney can explain which rules apply to your specific situation.

What if my loved one was partly at fault for the accident that caused their death?

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, a plaintiff can still recover damages as long as the deceased was not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. If the deceased is found to be partially at fault, the damages awarded are reduced by that percentage. For example, if your family member was 20 percent at fault, your recovery would be reduced by 20 percent. If fault is assigned at 51 percent or more to the deceased, the family cannot recover under Texas law.

Content prepared by Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, whose principal office is located in Denton, Texas. This page is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case, as results depend on the unique facts and law applicable to each matter. Attorney responsible for this content: Chandler Ross. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is a law firm. All attorneys practicing with the firm are licensed in Texas.

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