Proven Results in Wrongful Death Litigation

Lyons & Simmons, LLP has cultivated a reputation for delivering justice in complex and devastating wrongful death cases. Our attorneys have secured over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements, including numerous record-setting recoveries in Texas.

Some of our most notable wrongful death results include:

• $860 Million – Crane Collapse. Verdict for family of a woman killed when a crane fell on a Dallas apartment building.
• $70 Million – Negligent Security / Operations. Recovery against operators who failed to prevent a fatal incident.
• $60 Million – Worksite Explosion. Settlement for family of a worker killed in an industrial blast.
• $37.5 Million – Trucking Crash. Jury verdict for the estate of a man killed by an Oncor service truck. Oncor denied liability and blamed our client, but the jury awarded $37.5 million.
• $33.1 Million – Oilfield Accident. Settlement for the family of an oilfield worker killed on the job.
• $25 Million – Worksite Fatality. Settlement in a complex workplace death case.
• $5.9 Million – Multi-Fatality Crash. Record verdict in Midland County, one of Texas’ most conservative venues.

See more of our results.

Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle

At Lyons & Simmons, LLP, our record-setting results reflect decades of experience with complex wrongful death claims. Based in Dallas, our award-winning attorneys handle wrongful death cases across Texas and the U.S. arising from:

Understanding Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Wrongful death law exists to give families both a voice and a path to justice after a preventable tragedy. In Texas, spouses, children, and parents of the deceased may bring a wrongful death claim to seek accountability. Separate survival claims may also allow the estate to recover for the pain, suffering, and medical expenses endured before death.

Through these claims, families may pursue damages for:

• Lost income, benefits, and household support the loved one would have provided.
• Loss of companionship, care, and guidance.
• Emotional anguish suffered by those left behind.
• Funeral, burial, and related expenses.

These cases are never simple. They often involve powerful corporations, insurers, or other entities determined to avoid responsibility. Preserving evidence, securing expert testimony, and preparing for trial are all essential. At Lyons & Simmons, LLP, we act immediately to:

• Secure physical evidence and preserve products or machinery before it disappears.
• Investigate worksites, crash scenes, and corporate safety practices.
• Work with engineers, medical experts, and industry specialists to prove liability.
• Push back against defense efforts to blame the victim or minimize the family’s loss.

For many families, pursuing a wrongful death case is not only about securing their future, but also about protecting others. Our cases have led to corporate reforms, safer practices, and industry-wide changes — outcomes that make communities safer while honoring the memory of those lost.

Elements of a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas

To succeed in a wrongful death case, families must prove certain legal elements. These requirements ensure that the defendant is held accountable under the law, and they form the foundation of any claim filed under Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

1. Negligence or Wrongful Conduct. The death must have been caused by another party’s neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or wrongful act. This may involve an individual (such as a reckless driver), a business (such as a negligent employer), or even a government entity (such as an agency that failed to maintain safe roads).
2. Duty of Care and Breach. It must be shown that the defendant owed the deceased a duty of care — and that this duty was breached. For example, drivers have a duty to obey traffic laws, and employers must provide safe working environments. A breach occurs when these responsibilities are ignored or violated.
3. Causation. Beyond proving misconduct, families must establish a direct link between the defendant’s breach of duty and their loved one’s death. In other words, the wrongful act must be shown to be the cause, or a substantial contributing factor, in the fatal outcome. Collecting evidence such as accident reports, expert testimony, and witness statements is often essential to meeting this burden.
4. Damages. Finally, the death must result in measurable damages. Under Texas law, this can include pecuniary losses such as lost wages, benefits, and financial contributions; the emotional toll of mental anguish and the loss of companionship and guidance; and even the loss of inheritance a family would have received if their loved one had lived a full life.

Together, these elements form the legal roadmap for holding negligent parties accountable. While no outcome can replace the loss of a loved one, establishing each element gives families the ability to seek justice and the compensation needed to move forward.

Start Today with a Free Consultation

Our Dallas wrongful death attorneys have been in the trenches with clients in sharply contested, high-exposure wrongful death cases. We understand that when the stakes are this high, our clients need experienced trial lawyers who can employ sophisticated strategies and utilize the best resources possible.

If you have questions about a potential case, we want to help. Call (844) 297-8898 or contact us online to discuss your wrongful death claim.