Wrongful Death Attorney in Kingsville, TX
Trial-Ready Representation for Kleberg County Families Since 1992
Losing a family member to someone else’s negligence is a sudden, irreversible harm. The legal process that follows shouldn’t add to that burden. At Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys, we represent Kingsville families in wrongful death claims throughout Kleberg County, giving you direct access to seasoned trial attorneys from the first call through resolution. We’ve served South Texas since 1992, and there’s no fee unless we win.
Wrongful death cases arise when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligent, reckless, or wrongful act. In the Kingsville area, those cases often involve oilfield and refinery work, commercial trucking, agricultural operations, and highway fatalities. Wherever the loss occurred, our attorneys are ready to act.
If your family has lost a loved one in Kingsville or the surrounding Kleberg County area, call Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys at (361) 310-5299 for a free consultation available 24/7. There are no fees unless we win your case.
Why Kingsville Families Choose Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys
When you’re facing a wrongful death claim, the opposing side typically includes well-resourced insurance carriers and corporate defendants. How a firm prepares its cases shapes how those parties respond. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which influences how insurers and opposing counsel evaluate your claim from the start.
Blake Brunkenhoefer and Michael Mathis handle cases directly. You won’t be passed to a junior associate or a case manager. That matters in wrongful death litigation, where case-specific judgment, courtroom credibility, and negotiating leverage can affect the process for your family.
Our credentials reflect that standard:
- $300 million recovered for clients across South Texas in over 2,000 cases
- ABOTA membership for Blake Brunkenhoefer, reflecting demonstrated trial performance recognized by the American Board of Trial Advocates
- Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum membership, reserved for attorneys who have won or settled cases in the millions
- Texas Super Lawyer recognition for multiple years
- AV® Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating for legal ability and ethics
- J.D. with Highest Honors earned by Michael Mathis from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2012
Wrongful Death Case Types in Kingsville & Kleberg County
Kingsville’s economy draws workers into some of the most hazardous conditions in South Texas. Oilfield and refinery operations, agricultural employment, commercial vehicle traffic along US Highway 77 and State Highway 141, and Naval Air Station Kingsville all create specific fatal accident risks. We handle wrongful death claims arising from all of them.
- Oilfield and refinery fatalities
- Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
- Car and motorcycle accidents
- Construction and workplace accidents
- Agricultural equipment and operations fatalities
- Maritime and offshore accidents
- Defective products
- Premises liability
- Bus accidents
Our attorneys have handled complex industrial and oilfield fatality cases throughout South Texas. That background matters when a claim involves regulatory violations, multiple liable parties, or corporate defendants with aggressive legal teams.
Texas Wrongful Death Law: What Kingsville Families Need to Know
Texas wrongful death claims are governed by Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. A claim can be filed when one party’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, or default causes another person’s death. Negligence alone is sufficient. A criminal conviction isn’t required for a civil wrongful death claim.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Texas
Under Texas law, the right to file belongs to the deceased’s spouse, children (including adult and adopted children), and parents. Siblings aren’t eligible. Multiple eligible family members can join together in a single claim.
Wrongful Death Claim vs. Survival Action
Two related but distinct claims often arise from the same death:
- Wrongful death claim: Brought by surviving family members to recover for their own losses, including financial support, companionship, and mental anguish
- Survival action: Brought by the deceased’s estate to recover for the deceased’s own pain, suffering, and losses between the time of injury and death
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for a Texas wrongful death claim is generally two years from the date of death. Exceptions exist in limited circumstances, but families shouldn’t assume time is available. Acting promptly can help protect your right to file.
Damages in a Texas Wrongful Death Claim
The damages available depend on the relationship to the deceased, the nature of the death, and the breadth of losses your family has suffered. Texas law recognizes both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic Damages
These include medical and hospital expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost income and financial contributions the deceased would have provided, and the value of services and benefits the family has lost.
Non-Economic Damages
These include loss of companionship, care, and guidance; mental anguish; and loss of consortium for a surviving spouse. These losses are real and compensable under Texas law, even though they don’t carry a dollar figure on a pay stub.
Punitive Damages
When a defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious, punitive damages may be available. Texas law limits their application, but they remain a factor in cases involving gross negligence or willful disregard for safety.
A survival action filed alongside the wrongful death claim can expand the damages sought to include what the deceased suffered between the time of injury and death, adding another layer to the claims against the responsible party.
Don’t Wait to Protect Your Family’s Rights
Evidence in wrongful death cases can disappear quickly. Accident reports get amended, witnesses become harder to locate, and physical evidence from job sites or roadways is removed. Contacting an attorney early can help preserve the documentation your claim depends on.
Texas’s two-year filing deadline is generally firm. Missing it can permanently bar your family from pursuing any recovery, regardless of how strong the underlying claim may be.
Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys offers free consultations for Kingsville and Kleberg County families and is available 24/7. There are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your family. Call us at (361) 310-5299 to get started.
areas of practice How We Can Help
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Maritime Offshore Injuries
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability
- Workplace Injuries
- Wrongful Death
client testimonials Hear from our clients
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“I am so glad Blake handled my husband's injury on the job case, we were very pleased with the outcome.”- Carole K.
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“They're efficient and knowledgeable, friendly and extremely professional.”- M. Garza
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“They were very sincere and professional in dealing with me and all others involved. I believe they went out of their way to reach a fair settlement.”- Mary B.
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“I hope to never go through anything that stressful again, but if I am unlucky enough to get in another accident I know who to call.Brunkenhoefer law firm!”- Schultz P.
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“Not only were they able to settle my case in a satisfactory manner, they genuinely cared about my personal well being.”- Chris S.
How We Handle Wrongful Death Cases for Kingsville Families
From the first call, we take over the burdens that shouldn’t fall on a grieving family. That means dealing directly with insurance adjusters, gathering records, and building the evidentiary foundation your case requires. Blake Brunkenhoefer or Michael Mathis will be the attorney on your file.
Our process in a wrongful death matter typically moves through several stages:
- Free initial consultation: We evaluate your situation, explain what Texas law allows, and outline what pursuing a claim would involve for your family
- Investigation and evidence preservation: We gather accident reports, medical records, employment documents, photographs, and witness statements before that evidence can be lost or altered
- Liability and insurance review: We identify all potentially liable parties and review every applicable insurance policy to understand the full scope of available recovery
- Filing, discovery, and negotiation: We build your case with the rigor required for trial, which positions us to negotiate from strength rather than necessity
- Resolution and distribution: Whether your case resolves through settlement or a verdict, we walk you through every step and ensure you understand the outcome
We keep clients informed throughout the process, covering timelines, what settlement discussions look like, and what to expect if litigation becomes necessary. Our attorneys are accessible around the clock, because important questions don’t always arise during business hours.
