– Justice for You
Losing a loved one is one of life’s most devastating experiences. When that loss happens because of someone else’s negligence, it can feel overwhelming, confusing, and unfair. You may struggle to manage your grief while facing mounting bills, legal questions, and unanswered “what ifs.”
While nothing can replace your family member, you may be entitled to hold responsible parties accountable. A wrongful death claim can also help recover compensation for the financial and emotional burdens caused by their death.
Because wrongful death cases involve profound loss and complex legal issues, families are often left facing financial strain, unanswered questions, and emotional hardship. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, a San Antonio wrongful death lawyer at DJC Law can help you understand your rights and pursue justice and fair compensation on your family’s behalf. Call (210) 220-2222 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options with a compassionate legal team.
Why Work With a San Antonio Wrongful Death Attorney?
Handling a wrongful death claim while coping with grief is stressful. DJC Law supports families every step of the way:
- Proven Experience: Our attorneys have decades of combined experience helping families in San Antonio and across Texas navigate wrongful death claims.
- Trial-Ready: If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we are prepared to take cases to court. We have a strong record in challenging wrongful death claims.
- No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Working with a skilled wrongful death lawyer ensures your claim is handled thoroughly. You can focus on healing while we handle legal strategy, negotiations, and investigations.
What Is Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death claim allows surviving family members to seek compensation for a loved one’s death caused by someone else’s negligence. In Texas, this is governed by Chapter 71 of the Civil Practices and Remedies Code. To succeed, a claim must show:
- The death was caused by another party’s actions.
- The responsible party owed a duty and failed to meet it.
- Surviving beneficiaries exist, such as a spouse, children, or parents.
- The family suffered financial or emotional losses.
Wrongful death claims in San Antonio often involve motor vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, medical malpractice, hazardous conditions, or defective products. A knowledgeable wrongful death attorney can investigate the circumstances, collect critical evidence, and build a strong case to support your family’s claim.
Wrongful Death in Unusual Settings
While many people associate wrongful death claims with car accidents or workplace incidents, tragic deaths often occur in unexpected or overlooked situations. These can include locations and scenarios you might not immediately consider:
- Assisted Living or Nursing Homes: Seniors and vulnerable adults are often dependent on staff for basic care. Neglect, improper supervision, or unsafe practices can lead to preventable deaths. A wrongful death lawyer can review staffing logs, safety audits, and incident reports to hold negligent facilities accountable.
- Recreational Activities: Fatal accidents at amusement parks, water parks, gyms, or sports facilities sometimes result from inadequate maintenance, equipment malfunctions, or failure to follow safety protocols. Injuries in these settings can be catastrophic. A skilled wrongful death attorney can examine inspection records, staff training documentation, and witness testimony to build a strong claim.
- Vacation or Rental Properties: Short-term rentals, hotels, or vacation homes can hide hazards that lead to serious injuries or fatalities. Slippery pools, faulty railings, or defective appliances may not be obvious. Liability can fall on property owners or management companies. A San Antonio wrongful death lawyer can investigate property conditions, code violations, and prior complaints to establish negligence.
Exploring these less conventional scenarios ensures no potential source of liability is overlooked. Families often don’t realize that deaths in these unusual settings may qualify for a wrongful death claim.
Deaths on Private Property with Limited Access
Not all wrongful deaths happen in public streets or workplaces. In Texas, families can pursue claims when a death occurs on private property—even if the deceased was a guest, tenant, or visitor. These situations often involve hazards that are not immediately obvious. For example, a delivery driver struck by a falling structure, a guest injured by a defective balcony, or someone harmed by an unsafe swimming pool could all give rise to a wrongful death claim.
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions, especially when inviting others onto their property. If negligence caused a preventable death, a San Antonio wrongful death attorney can investigate the scene, review inspection records, and gather evidence to determine liability.
Working with a wrongful death lawyer ensures families understand their rights and options, including compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, emotional support, and other damages. These cases can be complex, but careful documentation and legal guidance make it possible to hold negligent property owners accountable and secure the justice your loved one deserves.
Deaths from Dangerous or Defective Products
Some fatalities occur because a product was unsafe or defective—beyond everyday consumer items. Industrial machinery, construction equipment, medical devices, and even children’s products can cause fatal injuries if improperly designed, manufactured, or distributed. In Texas, families can hold manufacturers, distributors, and sellers liable for wrongful deaths caused by defective products.
A San Antonio wrongful death attorney can investigate the chain of responsibility, working with experts to identify the defect and link it to the fatal injury. Evidence may include maintenance records, product manuals, safety warnings, and prior reports of similar incidents.
Compensation in these cases may cover medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and emotional losses. Working with a wrongful death lawyer ensures families can navigate the complex legal landscape, gather the necessary evidence, and pursue maximum recovery. When a product causes a preventable death, legal action can hold the responsible parties accountable and help prevent future tragedies.
Recent Wrongful Death Incidents
1. Fatal Truck Crash South of Dalhart, Texas
In November 2025, four women were killed in a serious collision on U.S. Highway 87 near Dalhart. Their vehicle slowed due to a flat tire when a large 18‑wheeler struck it from behind, flipping the truck and causing fatal injuries to Lakeisha Brown (19), Myunique Johnson (20), Taylor White (27), and Breanna Brantley (30). Authorities allege the truck driver failed to control his speed before the impact.
2. Bexar County Jail Death of Derrick Ellison
The estate of 47‑year‑old Derrick Ellison filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court after he died in a Bexar County jail in late 2022. The lawsuit claims he was assaulted in his cell and later not provided adequate medical care, violating his civil rights. Ellison had been in custody on a low‑level charge when he struggled to breathe and later died at a hospital.
3. Wrong‑Way DWI Collision on I‑35 in San Antonio
A January 2024 wrong‑way crash on Interstate 35 claimed the life of 26‑year‑old Yulissa Valero. According to police, another driver driving the wrong way struck her vehicle head‑on. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and intoxication assault. Valero’s family continues to share her story to raise awareness of dangerous driving behaviors.
4. UPS Cargo Jet Crash and Related Lawsuits
A ground fatality occurred after a UPS cargo jet experienced an engine failure; one of the people struck on the ground, Carlos Arias Fernandez, was killed. In the aftermath, a San Antonio‑area aircraft maintenance company and others are facing wrongful death claims related to the incident.
Financial Recovery Beyond Medical Bills
The financial impact of losing a loved one goes far beyond funeral expenses or immediate medical costs. A wrongful death attorney can help families recover compensation for a wide range of losses that may not be immediately apparent:
- Lost Future Income and Benefits: If your loved one contributed financially to the household, their death may eliminate expected earnings, retirement contributions, or other long-term support.
- Educational and Developmental Contributions: Parents often provide guidance, mentoring, and support that are difficult to quantify. Compensation may cover lost opportunities for children’s education, mentoring, or other benefits your loved one would have provided.
- Estate and Legal Costs: Managing an estate after an unexpected death can involve significant expenses, including probate, estate taxes, or legal fees. A wrongful death lawyer ensures these costs are addressed in the claim.
- Loss of Care and Companionship: Beyond financial losses, your family may suffer from the absence of daily support, guidance, and companionship. Courts recognize these intangible losses. A skilled San Antonio wrongful death attorney can advocate for their inclusion in your recovery.
By thoroughly exploring all potential avenues of financial recovery, a wrongful death lawyer ensures families are not left with hidden burdens while grieving.
Cases Where Multiple Parties Share Liability
Sometimes, more than one individual or entity is responsible for a loved one’s death. Multi-party liability can complicate a case, but it also opens additional avenues for compensation. Examples include:
- Construction Accidents: Fatal workplace accidents may involve a general contractor, a subcontractor, and equipment manufacturers. Each party may have failed in a different way. A skilled wrongful death attorney can untangle responsibilities.
- Medical Malpractice Cases: A patient may die due to errors by multiple healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, or the hospital itself. Identifying each party’s role is critical for building a full claim.
- Defective Product Claims: Fatal injuries could result from a defective product compounded by retailer negligence in inspection or distribution. Your wrongful death lawyer can trace liability through manufacturers, distributors, and sellers.
When multiple parties are involved, an experienced San Antonio wrongful death attorney can coordinate investigations, hire experts, and ensure every responsible entity is included in the claim. This maximizes compensation and ensures your family’s losses are fully addressed.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas?
Eligible claimants typically include spouses, children, or parents of the deceased. If they do not act within three months, a personal representative of the estate may file. Adopted children and parents hold the same rights as biological family members. Filing promptly is critical. In Texas, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years from the date of death.
Proving Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case
Negligence is often the central issue in wrongful death claims. To establish it, a wrongful death lawyer must show:
- The defendant owed a duty of care.
- They breached that duty through carelessness, recklessness, or intentional acts.
- Their actions directly caused the death.
- The family suffered financial or emotional losses.
Evidence can include police reports, accident reconstructions, medical records, and expert testimony. Thorough investigation is key to building a strong claim.
Damages in a Wrongful Death Case
A San Antonio wrongful death attorney can help you recover compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost financial support and future contributions
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in San Antonio
Negligence can take many forms:
- Motor vehicle accidents (cars, trucks, motorcycles)
- Medical malpractice or errors
- Hazardous work conditions
- Defective products or equipment
- Unsafe premises or property hazards
- Intentional acts (homicide or manslaughter)
Each type requires careful legal evaluation to ensure families receive fair compensation.
Contact a San Antonio Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
At DJC Law, we’ve represented families across Texas in wrongful death cases. We work with investigators, experts, and other attorneys to build strong claims. A San Antonio wrongful death lawyer can help you:
- Understand your legal rights and options
- Gather evidence and identify all liable parties
- Pursue maximum compensation for financial and emotional losses
If you or a loved one has lost someone due to negligence, a San Antonio wrongful death lawyer at DJC Law is ready to help you understand your rights and pursue fair compensation.
Call (210) 220-2222 for a free consultation or visit us at:
DJC Law – San Antonio
2374 E. Southcross Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78223
We’re here to help you take the next step forward with confidence.
