What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Texas?

July 31, 2024
Dow Law Firm
statute of limitations for wrongful death

With more than 30 million residents, Texas has the second-highest population of any U.S. state. Because of this, it also has the second-highest number of deaths each year. Nearly 270,000 Texans die annually.

Accidents are one of the top causes of death in Texas, behind only heart disease, cancer, and stroke. More than 10,000 Texans die following accidents every year, according to the CDC.

If your loved one died during an accident, learn about the wrongful death statute of limitations in Texas. This information may come in handy if you choose to hire a wrongful death lawyer to file a lawsuit on your family’s behalf.

Learn about the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Texas below.

Understanding the Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations in Texas

If your family is interested in filing a wrongful death lawsuit in the aftermath of a loved one’s death during an accident, you won’t have too long to do it. The statute of limitations for wrongful death in Texas is typically just two years.

In most cases, the timeframe for filing a wrongful death claim in Texas starts on the day your loved one dies. Ideally, your family should reach out to a wrongful death lawyer for assistance sooner rather than later to avoid missing the Texas wrongful death case time limits.

Knowing the Exceptions to the Texas Wrongful Death Time Limits in Texas

The Texas laws on wrongful death time constraints usually only provide your family with two years to take legal action against the party you feel was responsible for your loved one’s accident and death. However, some exceptions exist concerning the wrongful death statute of limitations in Texas.

This could be the case if:

  • The at-fault party in your loved one’s death attempted to conceal their involvement in an accident.
  • Your family didn’t learn of your loved one’s accident and death until days, weeks, or even months after the fact.
  • One of your family members has a physical or mental health impairment that prevented them from filing a wrongful death case sooner.

A wrongful death lawyer can look into the statute of limitations that may impact your family after a loved one’s accident and death to determine how much longer you have to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Ensuring You Meet the Texas Wrongful Death Lawsuit Deadlines

Although exceptions exist when it comes to the statute of limitations for wrongful death cases in Texas, try not to bank on them. Your family should aim to take legal action in a wrongful death case as soon as possible to steer clear of missing important deadlines.

All it takes is one call to an experienced wrongful death attorney to begin filing a lawsuit. This lawyer can:

  • Investigate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death
  • Let your family know how strong of a wrongful death case you might have
  • File a wrongful death claim for your family
  • Work on negotiating a wrongful death settlement
  • Provide your family with updates on the progress made in your loved one’s wrongful death case

Search for a knowledgeable wrongful death lawyer to lead the way.

Call Us When You Need a Wrongful Death Lawyer

No amount of money can eliminate the pain associated with losing a loved one, especially if they died during an avoidable accident. When you work with a wrongful death lawyer from The Dow Law Firm, we can help you collect compensation to cover funeral costs, medical bills, and lost income.

Contact us at (512) 240-9951 or fill out this form to discover more about the wrongful death statute of limitations in Texas.