Aaron Herbert Wrongful Death and Family Support Center
Wrongful death help for Dallas and Fort Worth families
Aaron A. Herbert is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. When a family loses someone to another person's negligence, our job is to protect the family's legal rights while making the process easier to carry.
You do not need a police report, a death certificate or a complete file before you call. Start with what happened and what worries you most today.
What we do in the first days
| Step | What it means for your family |
|---|---|
| Listen first | We ask what your household needs right now before we ask about the crash or incident. |
| Explain the law in plain terms | Who can bring a claim, how a survival claim differs, and the deadlines that apply to your facts. |
| Send preservation requests promptly | Letters asking the people and companies involved to keep video, vehicle data, records and equipment. |
| Start the investigation | Scene evidence, witnesses, reports, insurance coverage and, when needed, outside experts. |
| Point you to outside help | Grief programs, benefits offices and community services listed in the Family Support Center. |
| Follow through | One contact person, a plan for updates, and the next decision explained before it arrives. |
We will also tell you what we do not provide. Our staff are not counselors, and the firm does not promise to pay household bills.
Five questions to ask any wrongful death attorney
Choosing a lawyer is one more decision during a hard time. These are the questions we would want a family to ask us, and any other firm.
1. Can this lawyer handle what happened to our family?
| Type of case | Evidence that often matters |
|---|---|
| A fatal 18-wheeler crash | Electronic control module data, driver logs, maintenance files, crash reconstruction. |
| A workplace death | Equipment, contractors, safety procedures, which company controlled the job site. |
| A death on dangerous property | Proof of the hazard and when the owner knew about it. |
Ask who will personally lead the case, who will take depositions and who will try it if it does not settle. Board certification is one qualification to weigh; it is a certification in personal injury trial law, not a separate wrongful death specialty.
A good consultation question: "If the insurer disputes responsibility, how would you prepare our case for trial?"
2. What must our family do right away?
Care for each other first, and save what you already have. Tell the attorney right away about any of these:
- A vehicle that may be repaired, sold or scrapped.
- Surveillance video or another recording that may exist.
- Equipment or property involved in the incident.
- A witness who has contacted the family.
- A request to sign a release or a broad authorization.
Stay off restricted property and leave the equipment alone. In Texas, the deadline to file a wrongful death claim is usually two years after the death. A claim involving a government vehicle or property can require written notice much sooner. If several weeks have gone by, call anyway. Records, video and witnesses can often still be found.
A good consultation question: "What needs attention today, and what can your team handle for us?"
3. Can we trust the lawyer and the people answering our calls?
| Ask | A clear answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| Who makes legal decisions on our case? | A named attorney. |
| Who handles routine calls? | A named team member, with a backup. |
| How often will we hear from you? | A specific schedule, even when nothing major has happened. |
| Whose claims do you represent? | The spouse, children and parents, and the estate if there is a survival claim. |
One family member can coordinate appointments, but that does not give them the right to decide for everyone.
A good consultation question: "Who will answer our questions, and how will we know what is happening?"
4. What will it cost, and how does the case move forward?
The case review is free. The firm handles wrongful death cases on a contingency fee: we advance the costs of the case, and there are no fees or expenses unless you recover. Your written agreement will explain the fee percentage and how liens or reimbursements are paid. Ask us to walk you through a sample distribution.
| Stage | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Evaluation | Facts, deadlines, the people who may be responsible, insurance coverage. |
| Investigation | Records, witnesses, preservation of evidence, expert consultants. |
| Lawsuit, if needed | Written discovery, depositions, motions, mediation. |
| Resolution | Settlement by the family's decision, or trial. |
No lawyer can honestly promise a result or a date at the first meeting. We can explain the next stage and what could change the plan.
5. Will the firm protect us and treat us with care?
| What care looks like | Example |
|---|---|
| Fewer repeated questions | One combined document request instead of several calls. |
| Preparation | A meeting before a deposition or mediation so nothing comes as a surprise. |
| Respect for privacy | Notice before you see photographs or reports about your loved one. |
| Honesty | Straight talk about weak evidence or limited insurance. |
A good consultation question: "How will you reduce the burden on our family while keeping us ready for important decisions?"
Support for the whole family
Family Support Center
Grief, counseling and practical help
Crisis lines, Dallas–Fort Worth grief programs, funeral help, survivor benefits and more, sorted by what families need first.
Visit the Family Support Center →Guide
Surviving family needs assessment
Twelve areas to talk through, from tonight's housing to estate questions, turned into a short plan.
Open the needs assessment →Talk with us about your family's questions
A first conversation should tell you whether we can help, what needs attention now and what happens next. Call our Dallas office at 214-200-4878 or our Fort Worth office at 817-500-4878.
General information only. Legal rights, deadlines, fees and services depend on your circumstances and the terms of representation. Past results do not predict future outcomes.