If you are reading this page because you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, we want to begin by saying how deeply sorry we are for your loss. No family should ever have to endure the pain of losing a parent, child, spouse, sibling, or partner in a preventable tragedy. We understand that there is no amount of money, no legal outcome, that can ever bring your loved one back. At Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP (SYT), our goal in wrongful death cases is not to put a price on a life. It is to hold the responsible parties accountable, to pursue justice in your loved one’s name, and to help provide your family with the financial stability and support needed to move forward. We know these cases are intensely personal, and we treat them that way. Our team will do everything in our power to ensure those responsible are held accountable so you can have the space, resources, and support needed to grieve and begin healing. 

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim? 

A wrongful death occurs when a person loses their life as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful conduct. These cases often arise from car accidents, truck crashes, workplace incidents, unsafe premises, defective products, or other preventable events. At the heart of every wrongful death case is the understanding that the loss did not have to happen. 

 

Negligence is a key concept in these cases. Negligence occurs when someone fails to act with reasonable care, and that failure causes harm. In wrongful death claims, negligence may involve careless driving, unsafe work conditions, failure to maintain property, or ignoring safety regulations designed to protect human life. When those failures result in a fatal outcome, the law allows surviving family members to seek accountability and compensation. 

 

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Killeen?

Under Texas law, certain surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim. This typically includes the deceased's spouse, children, and parents. In some cases, the estate of the deceased may also pursue claims related to the harm suffered before death. These cases are deeply tied to family relationships, and we understand how sensitive and emotional these matters can be. 

 

Our team takes the time to explain who has the right to file, how claims are structured, and what to expect throughout the process. We know that legal questions can feel overwhelming during a time of grief, and our role is to provide clarity and guidance without adding to your burden. 

 

Timing and the Wrongful Death Process

Wrongful death claims are subject to deadlines under Texas law, generally requiring that a claim be filed within two years of the date of death. However, there are exceptions and circumstances that can shorten or affect this timeline, especially in cases involving government entities or complex liability issues. 

 

Beyond deadlines, these cases require careful investigation and preparation. Evidence must be preserved, witnesses interviewed, and the full circumstances surrounding the loss examined. While every case is different, our team works diligently to move cases forward while remaining mindful of the emotional toll these proceedings can take on surviving family members. 

 

How We Determine Liability in Wrongful Death Cases

Determining liability in a wrongful death case means identifying exactly how and why the loss occurred and who should be held responsible. This process often involves uncovering failures that should never have happened, such as ignored safety rules, reckless behavior, or decisions that prioritized convenience or profit over human life. 

 

At SYT, we conduct thorough investigations to uncover the truth. We examine accident reports, safety records, employment practices, maintenance logs, and any other evidence that helps tell the full story of what happened. In many cases, liability extends beyond a single individual and may involve companies, employers, property owners, or other entities whose actions or inaction contributed to the loss. 

 

Our approach is intentional and trial-focused. We build cases as if they will be presented to a jury, ensuring that every detail is examined and every responsible party is held accountable. 

 

Compensation in Wrongful Death Claims

Compensation in wrongful death cases is never about replacing a loved one. It is about addressing the real and lasting impact the loss has on surviving family members. These claims may include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost income and benefits the deceased would have provided, and the loss of care, companionship, and support. 

 

Every family’s situation is unique, and we take great care to ensure that all aspects of the loss are fully accounted for. In cases involving particularly reckless or egregious conduct, we may also pursue punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish extreme wrongdoing and to send a message that behavior resulting in the loss of human life will not be tolerated. 

 

We know your loved one was not just a name in a legal claim. They were a parent, a child, a sibling, a partner, a friend. They mattered deeply, and their life deserves to be remembered, honored, and defended. Our team fights to ensure that justice reflects the full weight of that loss. 

 

Standing With Families Through an Unimaginable Time

We understand that wrongful death cases come during one of the most emotionally difficult periods a family can experience. Grief does not follow a schedule, and there is no “right” way to move forward. At SYT, we meet families where they are, offering patience, compassion, and unwavering support. 

 

What sets our team apart is not just our legal experience, but the way we approach these cases. We listen. We care. We take the time to understand who your loved one was and what their loss means to your family. At the same time, we are relentless advocates who are not afraid to confront powerful insurance companies, corporations, or institutions when justice demands it. 

 

We prepare every wrongful death case as if it will go to trial, not because we want conflict, but because thorough preparation is often what leads to accountability. Insurance companies know when a case is being handled by trial lawyers who are willing to see it through. 

 

If you have lost a loved one in Killeen due to someone else’s negligence, you do not have to face this journey alone. At Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP, we are here to stand beside you, to honor your loved one’s life, and to pursue justice with compassion and resolve. We invite you to reach out to our team today for a free, confidential case review. Let us listen to your story, explain your options, and show you how we can help you move forward with dignity, strength, and the advocacy your family deserves.