Plano Wrongful Death Attorneys

Steps in Filing a Wrongful Death Claim

The process typically begins with an investigation into the circumstances of the death, gathering police reports, medical records, and witness statements before evidence becomes harder to obtain. From there, our firm identifies every party who may bear responsibility, whether that is a single negligent driver or a more complex web of corporate defendants.

Once liability is established, our attorneys calculate the full value of the family's losses and open negotiations with the responsible party's insurer. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the next step involves filing a lawsuit and preparing the case for litigation, a path our firm pursues without hesitation when negotiation alone will not produce a just outcome.

Throughout this process, our firm keeps families informed at each stage, since many people pursuing a wrongful death claim have never navigated a legal case before and understandably have questions about what comes next. We handle communication with insurance adjusters and opposing counsel directly, so families are not put in the position of fielding calls or negotiating on their own during an already overwhelming time.

Dealing With Insurance Companies During a Wrongful Death Claim

Insurance companies handling a wrongful death claim are rarely on a family's side, regardless of how sympathetic an adjuster may sound on the phone. Their goal is to resolve the claim for as little as possible, often by requesting recorded statements early or offering a quick settlement before the full value of a family's loss has been calculated.

Our firm handles all communication with insurers directly, so families are never pressured into a conversation that could be used against their claim later. We respond to lowball offers with the evidence and preparation needed to demand what a case is actually worth.

Settlement Negotiations vs. Trial for Wrongful Death Claims

Most wrongful death claims resolve through negotiation rather than trial, since settlement allows a family to receive compensation without the additional time and uncertainty litigation can bring. Our firm approaches every negotiation from a position of strength, backed by a case built as though it may proceed to trial regardless of how talks unfold.

That preparation is critical because insurance companies and corporate defendants respond differently to a firm they know is genuinely willing to litigate. When a settlement offer fails to reflect the true value of a family's loss, our attorneys do not hesitate to take a case in front of a jury, a step some cases require before a fair outcome becomes possible.

The decision between accepting a settlement and proceeding to trial ultimately belongs to the family, and our role is to make sure that decision is an informed one. We lay out the strengths and risks of each path clearly, including how a jury might view the case and what a trial could realistically add to a settlement offer already on the table. Some families prioritize certainty and a faster resolution, while others feel strongly about holding a defendant fully accountable in court, and our firm supports either choice once a family understands the full picture.

Our Track Record of Successful Case Results

Burress Injury Law has recovered more than half a billion dollars in total compensation for clients across Texas, a track record built through consistent, thorough preparation rather than any single case. Families who have trusted our firm with their wrongful death claims have contributed to more than 900 five-star reviews describing their experience working with us during an incredibly difficult time.

That record reflects a firm willing to litigate when negotiation falls short, rather than pressuring families to accept an early offer simply to close a case quickly. Every wrongful death claim we accept receives the same level of investigation and preparation, regardless of how straightforward or contested it ultimately becomes.

Burress Injury Law in the Community

Our commitment to Texas communities extends beyond the cases we handle. Each year, our firm hosts a charity picnic bringing together neighbors, small business owners, and local non-profit organizations for a day centered on connection rather than litigation. Alongside that event, the Underdog Scholarship awards funding multiple times a year to students continuing their education despite financial hardship or other significant obstacles.

Billing and Fee Structure for Wrongful Death Claims

Families pursuing a wrongful death claim should never have to weigh their grief against their ability to afford legal representation. Burress Injury Law handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning payment comes only from compensation recovered through a settlement or verdict, with nothing owed upfront and nothing owed at all if we do not win. This structure exists specifically so that financial hardship never becomes the reason a family walks away from a claim they are entitled to bring.

Local Court Information for Wrongful Death Claims in Plano

When a wrongful death claim cannot be resolved through negotiation, litigation becomes the next step. Plano falls within Collin County, and wrongful death lawsuits tied to incidents in the area are generally filed at the Collin County Courthouse, located at: