FAQs

What is a wrongful death claim in Texas?

A wrongful death claim is brought when someone dies because another person or company was negligent. It holds the responsible party accountable and helps the family that lost a loved one. A successful claim can pay for the victim’s lost income, funeral costs, and the loss of companionship and support. It’s a civil case, separate from criminal charges that might be filed after the same event. If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, call the Roach Law Firm at (903) 645-7333 for a free, private conversation.

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas?

Only the surviving spouse, children, and/or parents of the person who died can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas. They can file the lawsuit together, or one of them can file on behalf of the group. If none of them files within three months of the death, the personal representative of the estate may file instead, unless the family asks them not to. Siblings and other relatives generally cannot file cases like these.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Texas?

In most cases you have two years to file a wrongful death claim in Texas. Unlike other personal injury cases, the lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of death (rather than the date of the accident). Limited exceptions can pause the deadline, such as for minor children. It can take time for an experienced wrongful death lawyer to gather evidence in cases like these, so it’s best to act fast.

How much is a wrongful death case worth in Texas?

The value of a wrongful death case depends on the facts, so there’s no firm figure. The amount is driven by things like the age and income of the person who died, the number and type of people who depended on them, and the circumstances of the death. Damages can cover lost financial support, lost companionship, mental anguish, funeral and burial costs, and more. Cases involving the death of someone who was a family’s main financial provider or where the defendant’s negligence is clear can be worth more. A law firm with a long record of substantial verdicts and settlements can help you understand what your family’s claim may be worth.

Do I have to pay anything upfront to hire a wrongful death lawyer?

The Roach Law Firm offers free consultations and handles wrongful death cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe us nothing unless we win. We understand money is the last thing a grieving family wants to think about, and our fee structure is built so that legal assistance doesn’t add to your burden.

Where does the Roach Law Firm handle wrongful death cases?

The Roach Law Firm is based in East Texas and focuses primarily on cases in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. In Texas, the firm has deep roots in the communities of Tyler, Longview, Texarkana, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Paris, Marshall, Sulphur Springs, Henderson, Carthage, Jefferson, Mount Pleasant, Clarksville, Gilmer, Pittsburg, Mount Vernon, Quitman, New Boston, Linden, Hemphill, and Daingerfield, as well as the surrounding areas. Call us at (903) 645-7333 to find out how we can help.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS
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Case Results

$17 Billion

PART OF THE LARGEST LEGAL SETTLEMENT IN U.S. HISTORY

In 1995, Nelson J. Roach and his former firm, along with four other law firms, was selected by the State of Texas to prosecute the state’s claims against the tobacco industry, seeking to recoup state monies paid to treat smoking-related illnesses.

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$730 Million

FOURTH-LARGEST JURY VERDICT IN THE NATION

In 2021, Nelson J. Roach won $730 million in a case arising from a Texas truck accident, the fourth-largest jury verdict in the U.S. that year. The case was filed by the family of an East Texas woman who was killed in a collision with a truck hauling a propeller for a Navy submarine.

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$554 Million

DEFENDING AN INVENTOR FROM CORPORATE COPYCATS

For over a decade, Nelson J. Roach and his former firm represented DataTreasury Corporation in its efforts to hold the largest banks in the United States accountable for their infringement of the tiny company’s intellectual property. Roach and his associates won $554 million in jury awards and royalties.

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$119 Million

FORCING A MINING COMPANY TO PAY UP

Nelson J. Roach represented roughly 7,000 residents of the town of Blackwell, Oklahoma, in a class action lawsuit accusing defendants Phelps Dodge Corporation and its parent company, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., of failing to properly address lead, arsenic, and cadmium contamination.

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$90 Million

STANDING UP FOR INJURED STEELWORKERS

Nelson J. Roach represented thousands of steel workers at the Lone Star Steel Mill when they began to suffer from breathing problems and cancer.

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$51.2 Million

FIGHTING ANTICOMPETITIVE PRACTICES IN POULTRY INDUSTRY

Nelson J. Roach and Michael L. Silverman fought for small farms hurt by the corporations that dominate the U.S. chicken-processing industry.

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$47 Million

JUSTICE FOR WORKERS EXPOSED TO INDUSTRIAL TOXINS

Several years after the Lone Star Steel Toxic Tort Litigation began, workers at the Red River Army Depot in the Northeast Texas area began to suffer from diseases caused by exposure to rubber products in the workplace.

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$1.1 Million

WALMART SLIP-AND-FALL CASE

In 2021, Nelson J. Roach won $1.1 million in a slip-and-fall case against retail giant Walmart. It was one of the largest verdicts in a personal injury case in Texarkana history.

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Awards and Recognitions

Awards and Recognitions

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