Wrongful Death Lawyer

Nothing can undo your loss. We can pursue accountability and provide for your family's future.

When a loved one is killed because someone else was careless, no amount of money will ever make it right. But the law gives surviving family members a way to hold the responsible party accountable and to recover for the very real losses that follow — the financial support that is gone, the guidance and companionship that can never be replaced, and the dignity of demanding that the person or company responsible answer for what they did. Silver Key Law handles wrongful death cases with the care they deserve, shouldering the legal fight so that families can focus on each other.

We understand that for our clients this is not about money — it is about justice, accountability, and making sure the same thing does not happen to another family. We carry that responsibility seriously. You pay no fee unless we win.

What is a wrongful death claim?

A wrongful death claim is a civil case brought when a person dies because of another party's negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct. It is separate from any criminal case — a criminal prosecution punishes the wrongdoer on behalf of the public, while a wrongful death claim compensates the family for their losses. A family can pursue a wrongful death claim even if there is no criminal case, and even if a criminal case ends in an acquittal, because the standard of proof is different.

Causes of wrongful death we handle

We represent families who have lost loved ones in a wide range of preventable tragedies, including:

Car, truck, and motorcycle collisions caused by negligent drivers.
Pedestrian and bicycle collisions.
Commercial trucking crashes.
Dangerous property conditions — falls, fires, drownings, and structural failures.
Negligent security — fatal assaults that a property owner could have prevented.
Defective products.
Workplace incidents caused by a third party's negligence.

Who can bring a wrongful death claim?

The law limits who may bring a wrongful death claim, generally to close surviving family members — typically a spouse, children, and parents — and in some circumstances the personal representative of the person's estate brings the claim on the family's behalf. Exactly who is entitled to recover, and how any recovery is shared, depends on the specific facts and the applicable law. We will explain who can participate in your particular situation during a free, confidential consultation.

What can a family recover?

While no recovery can replace a person, a wrongful death claim is meant to compensate the family for the tangible and intangible losses caused by the death. Depending on the circumstances and the applicable law, these may include:

Lost financial support — the income and benefits the loved one would have provided.
Lost services — the value of the things the person did for the family.
Loss of companionship, love, comfort, and guidance.
The family's mental anguish and grief.
Medical expenses related to the final injury or illness.
Funeral and burial expenses.
In some cases, the conscious pain and suffering the loved one experienced before death (often brought as a related "survival" claim).
Punitive damages, where the conduct was especially egregious.

How we handle these cases

We know that the last thing a grieving family wants is to fight with an insurance company. So we do it for you. We conduct a thorough investigation into how and why your loved one died, identify every responsible party, work with the experts needed to prove the case, and handle every part of the legal process with sensitivity and respect. Our goal is to give you the space to grieve while we pursue the accountability your family deserves.

What to do if you have lost a loved one

Preserve any evidence related to the incident — vehicles, photographs, documents, and records.
Keep records of expenses related to the death, including medical and funeral costs.
Be careful about insurance companies — do not give recorded statements or accept any settlement before speaking with a lawyer.
Contact a lawyer when you are ready so that evidence can be preserved and deadlines protected. There is no pressure and no obligation.

Take the time you need — but be aware of deadlines. Strict statutes of limitation apply to wrongful death claims, and they are shorter when a government entity is involved. Evidence can also disappear. When you are ready, a brief, free, and confidential conversation can ensure your family's rights are protected. This page is general legal information, not legal advice.

Serving Arizona & Texas

Houston · Phoenix · San Antonio · Austin

Frequently asked questions about wrongful death claims

What is the difference between a wrongful death case and a criminal case?

A criminal case is brought by the government to punish a wrongdoer on behalf of the public; a wrongful death case is a civil claim brought by the family to recover for their losses. They are separate. A family can pursue a wrongful death claim whether or not there is a criminal case, and even if a criminal case results in an acquittal, because the burden of proof is lower in a civil case.

Who is allowed to file a wrongful death claim?

Generally close surviving family members — often a spouse, children, and parents — and in some situations the personal representative of the estate files on the family's behalf. Who may recover and how any award is shared depends on the facts and the applicable law. We will explain exactly how it works in your situation during a free consultation.

How long do we have to file a wrongful death claim?

Strict deadlines apply and are shorter when a government entity is involved. Because the exact deadline depends on the circumstances, it is best to speak with a lawyer before too much time passes, even though we understand this is the hardest possible time to think about legal matters.

What does it cost to hire a wrongful death lawyer?

Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee — no attorney's fee unless we recover for your family, and no case costs or expenses if there is no recovery. The consultation is free and confidential.

We're not sure we want to file a lawsuit. Can we still talk to you?

Of course. A consultation is simply a conversation about what happened and what your options are — there is no obligation and no pressure. Many families find it helpful just to understand their rights. Whatever you decide afterward is entirely up to you.