What Is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement in Texas?

When you ask, “How much is the average wrongful death settlement in Texas?”, the honest answer from Bandas Law Firm, P.C. is: We don’t know. 

There is no standard “average” amount for wrongful death claims in Texas; instead, there is a wide range. Legal teams across the state report settlements from hundreds of thousands to the millions. 

We want to walk you through what drives that wide variation, so that you understand what your family might face.

What Can Impact the Settlement Value?

Here are key factors that the experienced Corpus Christi wrongful death attorneys at Bandas Law see over and over:

Economic Damages (What You Can Calculate)

These are losses with dollar values attached: medical bills before death, funeral expenses, lost future income, and lost household services.

• If the deceased was young, earning a good salary, and had dependents, the economic damages can be substantial.
• If the deceased was retired or had a limited earning capacity, those numbers may be lower.

Non-Economic Damages (What You Cannot Easily Quantify)

These include pain and suffering of the family left behind, loss of companionship, and emotional trauma. 

These are harder to calculate, and that’s part of why there’s no “average.”

Liability & Insurance Coverage

A case where the fault is clear and the defendant has a large insurance policy or substantial assets is more likely to settle for more than one where liability is murky or coverage is minimal. 

Also in Texas, if the decedent is found to be more than 50% at fault, families recover nothing.

Special Legal Caps and Exceptions

While most wrongful death cases in Texas don’t have a fixed cap, there are limits in some scenarios:

• If your case involves a medical malpractice wrongful death claim, then non-economic damages may be capped at approximately $250,000 per provider and $500,000 per incident.
• If a claim is made against a governmental entity, separate limits may apply.

Extent of Negligence / Punitive Damages

Cases involving gross negligence (e.g., drunk driving, willful misconduct) may permit the award ofallow for punitive damages in addition to economic and non-economic losses, thereby significantly increasing settlement values.

So What Range Are We Seeing in Texas?

Since a precise “average” is not available, we offer what firms report as typical ranges with the caveat: this is not a prediction or guarantee for your case.

• Many Texas wrongful death cases settle for around $500,000. 
• Some are lower. For example, if the decedent had a limited income, no dependents, and a small economic loss.
• Some are far higher. $1 million+, $3 million+, even tens of millions, in liability-clear, high-loss, high-asset cases.
• For wrongful death medical-malpractice specifically, one source lists an “average” of ~$973,054 but a median of ~$294,728. 

Bottom line: Your case may fall below, within, or above those ranges depending on your facts.

Why We At Bandas Law Say “Let’s Talk Numbers, But Focus on the Story”

At our firm in Corpus Christi, we help families by asking:

• What did your loved one earn and contribute?
• What future earnings or services were lost?
• What emotional and practical losses did your family suffer?
• What proof of fault/negligence is there?
• What insurance or defendant assets are available?
• Are there aggravating circumstances (reckless conduct, violation of safety rules)?

Those answers shape what your claim is worth; not some generic “average.” As managing partner, Christopher Bandas puts it:

“Every human life has value beyond the numbers. Our job is to translate that into a realistic claim that insurance companies or juries will take seriously.”

Locally Relevant: Why Corpus Christi Cases Can Differ

Being based in Corpus Christi allows us to understand local dynamics:

• Regional industries (oil field, maritime) often mean unique accident profiles, potentially higher economic losses.
• Local courts and juries may approach compensation differently from those in large metropolitan areas.
• Travel to consultations is easier for local families; we are right here in ­Nueces County.
• Dealing with negligent conduct in industrial settings often means stronger fault cases and higher stakes.

Steps Families Should Take Without Waiting

If you are facing a wrongful death claim, waiting just makes things harder. Here’s what we advise:

1. Preserve evidence. Accident reports, medical records, and witness statements matter.
2. Document financial losses now. Bills, funeral costs, lost income, and benefits all count.
3. Avoid accepting a low-ball offer. Insurance companies may rush to settle for a low amount; you deserve full value.
4. Work with an attorney who is familiar with wrongful death law in Texas and the nuances of the Corpus Christi area.
5. Ask about: Who can bring the claim? What is the statute of limitations? In Texas, wrongful death claims must generally be brought within 2 years of the death. 

Why Hire Bandas Law to Handle Your Case

• We regularly handle wrongful death, catastrophic injury, trucking accidents, and oil-field fatalities across Texas; we bring that experience locally. 
• We fight large corporations and insurance companies on behalf of families, not the big guys.
• We work on a contingency basis: you don’t pay unless we win.
• We speak both English and Spanish and understand the needs of families in Corpus Christi. 
• We have delivered substantial results (for example, a $27.5 million settlement in a work-injury case), demonstrating our ability to maximize value for serious losses.

Protect Your Right to Compensation

If someone tells you “the average wrongful death settlement in Texas is $X,” be skeptical. The truth is: it depends. Factors like the person lost, the fault, the losses, and the insurance coverage all impact the settlement you receive. 

Here at Bandas Law, we say: let’s stop talking “average” and start talking your case.

If you find yourself asking:

• “What could this case be worth in Corpus Christi?”
• “How do we hold the responsible party accountable?”
• “How many years of income did we lose when we lost our loved one?”

Call us at the Bandas Law Firm. We will listen, evaluate, and give you frank, grounded guidance.

Because you deserve a settlement that reflects your loss, not a generic number that ignores your reality.