Your Battle, Our Compass:
Cypress, TX Wrongful Death Attorney
Wrongful Death claims in Cypress and northwest Harris County, handled by Texas-licensed attorneys at 14150 Huffmeister Road, Suite 200. Call (713) 912-4504 — free consultation.
PUBLISHED 11/9/2026 · UPDATED 11/9/2026
In Texas, a wrongful death claim belongs to the surviving spouse, children and parents, and must be filed within two years of the death (CPRC §§71.004, 16.003(b)). 579 people died in Harris County traffic crashes in 2024 (TxDOT). Compass Law Group’s Cypress office helps families: (713) 912-4504.
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Who can bring a wrongful death claim in Texas?
The surviving spouse, children and parents of the person who died; any one of them may sue for all of them (CPRC §71.004(a)–(b)). If none of them sues within three calendar months, the executor or administrator must bring the claim unless all of them ask otherwise (§71.004(c)).
| Rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who benefits | Surviving spouse, children and parents | §71.004(a) |
| Deadline | Two years; the clock starts at the death | §16.003(b) |
| Damages | Proportionate to the injury from the death; divided among the beneficiaries as the jury finds | §71.010 |
| Debts | Wrongful death damages are not subject to the debts of the deceased | §71.011 |
| Survival claim | The injured person’s own claim survives to the heirs, legal representatives and estate | §71.021 |
Frequently Asked Questions: Wrongful Death Claims in Cypress, Texas
How long does a family have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas?
Two years, and the cause of action accrues on the death of the injured person (CPRC §16.003(b)).
Can siblings bring a wrongful death claim in Texas?
The statute names the surviving spouse, children and parents as the people the claim benefits (CPRC §71.004(a)). Siblings are not on that list.
Can creditors take wrongful death damages?
No. Damages recovered in a Texas wrongful death action are not subject to the debts of the deceased (CPRC §71.011).
How are wrongful death damages divided?
The jury awards damages proportionate to the injury resulting from the death and divides them, in shares it decides, among the beneficiaries alive at the time (CPRC §71.010).
How many people died in Harris County crashes in 2024?
579, in 546 fatal crashes (TxDOT, 2024).
How many people die in Harris County crashes?
579 people were killed in 546 fatal crashes in Harris County in 2024 (TxDOT, Fatal Crashes and Fatalities by County and Road Type, 2024):
| Road type (TxDOT category) | Fatal crashes | People killed |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate | 129 | 137 |
| US & state highways | 74 | 80 |
| Farm to market | 31 | 32 |
| County roads | 68 | 73 |
| City streets | 223 | 236 |
| Tollways | 21 | 21 |
| All roads | 546 | 579 |
What is the difference between a wrongful death and a survival claim?
A wrongful death claim compensates the family for its own losses; a survival claim carries on the claim the person who died would have had. Texas keeps a personal injury claim alive after the injured person’s death, in favor of the heirs, legal representatives and estate (CPRC §71.021).
The Texas deadlines, fault rules and Harris County court information that apply to every injury claim are on our Cypress personal injury page. To talk about your wrongful death claim, call (713) 912-4504.
Managing Partner — Compass Law Group, LLP
State Bar of Texas #24152536 · State Bar of California #265403
Joseph Shirazi is the managing partner of Compass Law Group, LLP, a personal injury firm. He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School Los Angeles in 2009 and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas on April 30, 2026; he is also licensed in California (State Bar of Texas directory and State Bar of California, read November 9, 2026).
From the Cypress office the firm takes claims arising from car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, bus, rideshare and drunk-driving crashes, and slip-and-fall, dog-bite, burn, brain-injury, wrongful-death and sexual-abuse civil claims. In California the firm works from offices in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Bell Gardens, Oakland, San Francisco and Sacramento.
His professional profiles are linked above: Avvo, Super Lawyers, Justia, LinkedIn, the State Bar of Texas directory and the State Bar of California.
He wrote this page; Simon Esfandi (State Bar of Texas #24152727) reviewed it. Joseph and Simon handle injury claims for clients in Cypress and northwest Harris County from the firm’s office at 14150 Huffmeister Road, Suite 200, Cypress, TX 77429. Call (713) 912-4504 for a free consultation.
This page gives general information about Texas law and does not constitute legal advice for your situation. Contacting Compass Law Group does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Attorney responsible for this page: Joseph Shirazi, State Bar of Texas No. 24152536. Compass Law Group, LLP’s principal office is in Beverly Hills, California; its Texas office is at 14150 Huffmeister Road, Suite 200, Cypress, TX 77429.
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National Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Avvo 10.0 Superb. Loyola Law School graduate. Recognized for his $14,500,000 truck accident verdict and a $13,000,000 trial verdict.
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Super Lawyers Rising Star. Southwestern Law School graduate. Led the firm’s $9,870,000 motorcycle accident settlement and a $2,250,000 rideshare recovery.
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