How to Choose a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Texas
Choosing a wrongful death lawyer in Texas can feel overwhelming when you are still reeling from the unexpected death of a loved one, and you are trying to make a major decision in the middle of grief. Following the tips below will help simplify the process as you decide which wrongful death attorney is the right fit for your family.
Start With Clarity on Your Situation
Key Facts to Have Ready Before You Talk to Anyone
A productive consultation starts with a clean set of facts, and that keeps you from paying for a second call just to correct details that got lost the first time.
Bring these basics into the conversation:
- Date and location of the death, plus the location of the event that caused it
- Names of the main people involved, plus any company names tied to the event
- Names of hospitals and doctors, plus the date of the last treatment
- Any report information you already have, like a report number or agency name
- Any insurance information you already have, like policy letters or adjuster contact details
Even if you only have a few details, the meeting goes better when you can give the basics in a clean, consistent way, since that lets the attorney spot key issues and give you direct next steps without guessing.
Choosing a Few Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Picking who to call starts with a simple goal, narrow your options to a few attorneys you can compare without wasting time on people who will not handle the case well. A short list also helps you ask better questions, since you can reuse the same questions across each consultation and hear the differences in how each attorney thinks and communicates.
Reading Reviews
A good place to start is to read the firm’s reviews, on websites like Avvo, Google, or Yelp. There will always be people who leave negative reviews, but you want to see that the firm has mostly positive reviews. In Google it’s also a good sign when the firm is replying to any reviews they have received because it shows they are actively engaged and also can give insight into how they respond, especially to negative reviews.
In their reviews look for positive language like:
- “Straightforward” or “no sugarcoating”
- “Explained the process” or “told me what to expect”
- “Responsive” or “easy to reach”
- “Worked with the attorney directly” or “attorney stayed involved”
- “Kept me in the loop” or “kept us updated”
- “Fought the insurance company” or “pushed back”
- “Thorough” or “paid attention to details”
- “Happy with the outcome” or “pleased with the outcome”
- “Good result”
- “Fair settlement”
Watch out for firms with a high number of negative reviews that contain language like:
- “Never called me back” or “hard to reach”
- “Kept getting passed around” or “couldn’t talk to the attorney”
- “Felt rushed” or “pushed into decisions”
- “Didn’t explain anything” or “left me confused”
- “Surprises at the end” or “unexpected costs”
Use reviews to narrow your list, then rely on the consultation to confirm who you feel comfortable trusting with your family’s case.
Verifying Texas License Status
Texas State Bar records give you the only reliable way to confirm an attorney can practice in Texas, and the listing can also show public discipline history when it exists. Start there, and use the firm website only to confirm you are looking at the right person.
- Confirm the attorney’s name and Texas license status on the State Bar directory.
- Check the listing for any public discipline history, if it appears.
- Compare the spelling, office location, and contact details to the firm website so you don’t mix up attorneys with similar names.
Use the State Bar listing to confirm you are dealing with a licensed Texas attorney, then use the consultation to decide whether the attorney feels like the right fit for your family’s case.
Experience That Matches Your Situation
Wrongful death cases can vary based on how the death happened and who the responsible party may be, so look at whether the attorney has handled cases similar to yours and can explain the work in a direct, specific way.
Use a few direct questions during the consultation:
- “Have you handled Texas wrongful death cases before?”
- “Have you handled wrongful death cases similar to ours?”
- “Does our situation have any of the issues you’ve dealt with in other wrongful death cases?”
Pay Attention to How the Firm Communicates Before You Hire Them
Communication problems can show up before you sign anything. Scheduling, responsiveness, and clarity on who you will speak with can tell you a lot about how the firm runs.
Good signs at the beginning:
- Staff answers questions directly, without evasion.
- The firm tells you who your main contact will be.
- The firm sets expectations on when you will hear back.
A firm can still do good work with a busy schedule, yet you should feel respected and kept in the loop from the first contact.
Check if a Firm Operates Mainly Through Referrals
Plenty of good firms get referrals, and referral work can still be high quality. Trouble shows up when a “firm” feels like a middle layer that connects you to someone else, and you do not learn who will actually handle the case until later.
“Would your firm be handling my case, or would it be referred to another firm?”
Narrowing Your List to a Few Strong Options
After you review feedback, confirm Texas license status, and ask a few experience questions, narrow your list to a small group for consultations so you can make a clear comparison. Choose attorneys who come across as experienced, competent, and whose reviews and answers line up with the kind of lawyer you want representing your family.
Fees, Costs, and Net Recovery
Contingency Fee Terms Explained Clearly
Ask for the fee percentage, ask whether the percentage changes after a lawsuit starts, and ask how costs get handled, since costs can change the amount you take home.
A consult should cover:
- Fee percentage and any stage-based changes
- Who pays case costs up front
- How cost repayment works at the end
- Examples of cost categories that show up in death cases
A clear explanation here can prevent any misunderstandings later.
Case Costs and Repayment
Case costs can reduce what your family receives at the end, so ask what expenses may come up and how the firm handles approval and communication before money gets spent.
Ask for clarity on:
- Typical cost ranges for a case like yours
- How the firm decides to hire an expert
- Who approves major costs, and how the firm will explain the need for them.
- How the firm updates you when costs change
Medical Bills and Liens That Can Reduce the Net
Medical bills and lien issues can reduce what a family receives, and lien work takes time and attention.
A consult should answer:
- Who identifies liens and repayment demands
- Who negotiates lien reductions
- How the firm keeps you updated as lien numbers change
- If lien payments will be shown in the final payout statement.
Reasons to Walk Away After a Consult
A consult should leave you feeling informed, not confused, and the lawyer should answer direct questions with direct answers.
Walk-away signs that protect you:
- Vague answers to any of your questions.
- Pressure to agree before you get clear answers
- Poor communication or a condescending tone.
Final Choice and Getting Started
Picking Between Final Options
Two firms can sound good, so choose the one that answered your questions clearly and made you feel confident about who will handle the case and what will happen next.
A simple tie-breaker mindset:
- Choose the attorney whose reviews clearly show how they work.
- Choose the attorney who explained the plan in plain language and answered questions directly.
- Choose the firm that gives clear roles and clear communication expectations.
- Choose the attorney who was upfront about fees and case costs and explained the money clearly.
- Choose the attorney who seemed prepared to take the case further if the insurance company refused to be reasonable.
Include a trusted friend or relative in the consultation if you can, since a second set of ears can catch details you might miss. Make a list of pros and cons between the options and then pick the attorney who leaves you feeling confident in their ability to make your case the best it can be.
If you’ve lost a loved one and you’re trying to choose a wrongful death lawyer in Texas, Loewy Law Firm has the experience and track record your family needs to be confident in your choice. Call us at (512) 280-0800 for a free consultation.
The content on this website is for general informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice. Laws change, and case outcomes depend on specific facts. Viewing this material does not establish an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance on your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.