Corpus Christi Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing someone you love is devastating. When that loss is caused by negligence or wrongdoing, the grief can be compounded by anger and unanswered questions.
Corpus Christi wrongful death lawyer Minesh Patel understands that no legal case can replace your loved one. What it can do is hold the responsible party accountable and secure the financial support your family needs to move forward.
At The Patel Firm, our wrongful death attorneys combine compassionate guidance with aggressive advocacy. We offer big-firm resources paired with personal attention, and we make ourselves available 24/7 to help families in crisis. Our promise is simple: no recovery, no fee. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
With deep knowledge of Texas wrongful death law and experience in Nueces County courts, we are prepared to fight for justice in even the most complex cases.
What Is a Wrongful Death in Corpus Christi?
A wrongful death occurs when a person’s life is taken due to another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional act. In Texas, these claims are governed by specific state statutes that define who can file and what damages may be recovered.
In Corpus Christi, wrongful deaths often arise from car and truck accidents, oilfield or refinery incidents, medical negligence, defective products, or unsafe property conditions. Given our location on the Gulf Coast, maritime accidents and offshore drilling fatalities are also tragically common.
Some cases involve less common but equally devastating causes, such as boating collisions in the bay, drone-related accidents at public events, fatal heatstroke during school athletic activities, or exposure to hazardous chemicals from industrial spills.
Who Can File and What’s the Deadline?
Under Texas law, the right to file a wrongful death claim belongs to the deceased person’s surviving spouse, children (including adopted children), and parents. These family members may file individually or together.
The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of death. Certain exceptions, such as cases involving minors or delayed discovery of negligence, may extend this period, but waiting too long can permanently bar your claim. Acting quickly ensures critical evidence is preserved.
Wrongful Death vs. Survival Actions
A wrongful death claim compensates the surviving family for their losses after a loved one’s death. A survival action, on the other hand, is brought on behalf of the deceased’s estate to recover damages they could have claimed if they had survived, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering before death.
In many cases, filing both claims maximizes recovery. It addresses the family’s grief and financial harm while also compensating for what the deceased endured.
Who May Be Liable?
Responsibility for a wrongful death can rest with many different parties. Individuals may be held accountable, such as a negligent driver or property owner. Corporations can also be liable, including trucking companies, oilfield operators, hospitals, product manufacturers, and construction contractors.
In Corpus Christi’s unique industrial landscape, additional defendants can include refinery owners, maritime employers, chemical plant operators, event organizers, and recreational vehicle companies. Identifying all potentially responsible parties is critical to ensuring your family receives the full compensation you deserve.
What Damages Can You Recover?
The damages in a wrongful death case are designed to address both financial and emotional losses.
Economic damages include funeral and burial costs, medical expenses related to the final injury, lost earnings, lost benefits, and the loss of inheritance your loved one would have provided.
Non-economic damages address the personal impact: mental anguish, emotional pain, loss of companionship, and loss of parental guidance.
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish particularly reckless or malicious conduct. In the Corpus Christi area, damages can also reflect unique local costs — from high medical transport fees to specialized maritime funeral arrangements.
How We Build Your Case
We begin by listening. Every wrongful death case is personal, and understanding your family’s story is essential.
Our investigation then focuses on establishing the four legal elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages. We gather accident reports, scene photographs, medical records, OSHA safety logs, and witness statements. In motor vehicle cases, we may obtain black box data or dashcam footage.
We work with respected experts, including accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, economists, and grief counselors. When dealing with oilfield or maritime incidents, we consult local safety engineers who understand the industry’s unique hazards.
Preserving evidence quickly is especially important in South Texas, where weather, tides, and industrial cleanup efforts can erase critical proof within days.
What to Expect
When you call our office, you will speak directly with a member of our legal team, not an answering service. We will schedule a free consultation to review the facts and answer your questions.
If we take your case, we move immediately to investigate, secure evidence, and notify the opposing party and their insurance carriers. Most cases proceed through demand letters, negotiations, and, if necessary, litigation.
While some wrongful death claims resolve in months, others, especially those involving multiple defendants or contested liability, may take one to three years. Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved in every major decision.
How Much Will It Cost?
Hiring Corpus Christi wrongful death attorney Minesh Patel will not add to your family’s financial burden. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we advance all costs and only collect a fee if we win compensation for you.
If there is no recovery, you owe nothing for our legal services. This allows families to pursue justice without worrying about upfront expenses.
Case Types We Handle in Corpus Christi
We handle a full range of wrongful death cases, including:
Common cases
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Oilfield and refinery explosions
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Unsafe property conditions
Less common but serious cases
- Boating accidents in Corpus Christi Bay
- Offshore rig and maritime fatalities
- Drone-related accidents at public events
- Fatal exposure to toxic chemicals from industrial spills
- Heatstroke or unsafe conditions at school or community events
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can minors file a wrongful death claim?
No. Minors cannot file on their own, but a parent or legal guardian can file on their behalf.
What if the defendants are uninsured?
We explore other avenues for recovery, including personal assets and third-party liability claims.
Can proceeds be divided among multiple family members?
Yes. Texas law outlines how eligible family members may share in a settlement or verdict, either by agreement or court order.
What if the death was due to a maritime incident offshore?
Special maritime and admiralty laws may apply, and our team has experience handling these complex claims.
What if the at-fault party denies liability?
We build a case with evidence, expert testimony, and legal arguments to prove fault in court if necessary.
Can I still file if I waited over two years?
Usually no, but certain exceptions may extend the deadline. Contact us immediately to review your options.
Why Corpus Christi Matters
Having a Corpus Christi wrongful death attorney matters because local knowledge can be the difference between a strong case and a missed opportunity. We know Nueces County courts, judges, and opposing counsel.
We are familiar with accident-prone roads like I-37, US-77, and Padre Island Drive, as well as industrial zones where workplace incidents occur. Our proximity allows us to respond quickly to accident scenes, preserving critical evidence before it disappears.
“Mr. Patel is a great lawyer! He had patience, always responded timely and got things done for me. I had another lawyer for a different accident and never talked to the lawyer so I was worried about the same thing again. Mr. Patel and Mr. Bramanti had a passion for my case and got my case settled for the max.” – Kristin C.
Take the Next Step
Time is not on your side in a wrongful death case. Evidence fades, memories change, and the statute of limitations approaches quickly.
Call Minesh Patel and the wrongful death attorneys at The Patel Firm today at (361) 400-2036 for a free consultation. Let us stand by your family, fight for accountability, and help you move forward.
