Odessa Wrongful Death Lawyer
Fighting for Families After Tragic Loss
Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence is the most devastating experience a family can face. The grief is immeasurable, and the financial fallout — medical bills, funeral costs, and the sudden loss of income — only adds to the pain. In these moments, families need more than condolences. They need justice.
At KRW Lawyers, we have been helping families across Texas seek accountability since 2006. Our attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements, including results in some of the toughest cases involving negligent corporations, insurers, and contractors. With leadership that includes a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer (Douglas Ketterman), we bring both courtroom experience and the compassion needed to guide families through the most difficult times of their lives.
When you reach out to our team after a fatal crash on I-20, an oilfield tragedy near Odessa, or a deadly incident at a local refinery, we take the time to listen to your story and explain what to expect from the legal process. A wrongful death attorney from our firm can walk you through who may be liable, what evidence needs to be preserved, and how claims typically move through Ector County’s civil courts so you feel informed rather than overwhelmed.
Call (432) 223-9975 or contact us online for a FREE consultation. Our Odessa wrongful death attorneys represent families throughout Ector County and all West Texas.
Why Choose KRW Lawyers?
- Billions Won: Over $1 billion recovered for victims and families across Texas and Louisiana.
- Board-Certified Trial Leadership: Douglas Ketterman, Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, leads our trial team.
- National Recognition: Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rated, and more.
- Trusted by Families: Decades of experience handling wrongful death claims tied to truck accidents, oilfield disasters, defective products, and more.
- Contingency Fee Representation: You never pay out of pocket — we only get paid when we win.
Client Testimonials
Families we’ve represented often tell us that what mattered most was not only the results, but the compassion and guidance they received during an incredibly difficult time. Here are just a few words from those who have trusted us:
“KRW Lawyers made the absolute best possible outcome out of a horrible situation.”
Henry and Lisa were able to quickly take my case and had it closed in a short time. They kept great communication and always followed up with phone calls just to check in. I highly recommend them if you ever need legal assistance. – Former Client
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
It is hard to adequately describe the quality of the legal representation I received from KRW Lawyers. From day one, Joshua Hatley and his assistant Brittany were courteous, fair, attentive, hard-working, and most of all, HONEST. – Former Client
Understanding Wrongful Death and Survival Actions in Texas
Wrongful death lawsuits are civil actions that allow surviving family members to pursue accountability when negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct results in a loved one’s death. These claims serve two purposes:
- Justice and Accountability – ensuring the responsible parties are held legally and financially responsible.
- Financial Security for Families – recovering compensation to replace the income, support, and companionship that has been lost.
In Texas, the following parties may be eligible to bring a wrongful death claim:
- Surviving spouse
- Children (biological or adopted)
- Parents of the deceased
If these individuals do not file within the legally allowed period, the personal representative of the estate may be able to pursue a claim.
In addition to wrongful death claims, Texas law also recognizes survival actions. These are slightly different: instead of compensating family members for their own losses, a survival action continues the legal claim the deceased would have had if they had survived. It allows recovery for damages the victim experienced between the time of injury and death, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical pain and mental suffering
Any recovery from a survival action becomes part of the deceased person’s estate and is distributed according to their will or Texas intestacy law.
Together, wrongful death claims and survival actions provide families with two important avenues to seek justice: one addressing their personal losses, and the other standing in the shoes of their loved one to ensure the harm they endured is not ignored.
Negligence and Liability in Fatal Accidents
Every wrongful death case requires showing that the loss was preventable — the direct result of negligence. In Odessa, we frequently see wrongful death claims stemming from:
- Truck and Commercial Vehicle Collisions – common along I-20 and oilfield routes.
- Oilfield and Refinery Disasters – including explosions, toxic exposure, and catastrophic equipment failures.
- Construction and Industrial Accidents – falls, collapsing structures, and electrocutions.
- Defective Products and Machinery – unsafe equipment that fails on the job.
- Premises Liability Incidents – dangerous property conditions leading to fatal accidents.
Liability may rest with individuals, corporations, contractors, property owners, or manufacturers. At KRW Lawyers, we dig deep to uncover negligence, gather evidence, and identify every responsible party.
Damages Available to Surviving Families
No lawsuit can bring back a loved one, but a wrongful death or survival action can help ease the financial and emotional burdens that follow. Depending on the circumstances, families may be entitled to two categories of compensation:
I was told I didn't have a case. Josh proved them wrong.
Statute of Limitations in Odessa Wrongful Death Cases
Time matters in wrongful death cases. Under Texas law, most wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of death. Survival actions follow the same general deadline.
While two years may sound like plenty of time, families often find that the weeks and months after a tragedy pass quickly. Evidence can be lost, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurers or corporations move fast to protect themselves.
There are also limited exceptions that can extend or “toll” the statute of limitations. For example:
- If the deceased’s heirs are minors, the deadline may be paused until they reach adulthood.
- In cases involving fraud, concealment, or delayed discovery of negligence, additional time may sometimes be allowed.
Because every case is unique, the safest step is to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. An Odessa wrongful death lawyer from our firm can determine exactly how the statute of limitations applies to your case and help you act before critical deadlines expire.
When you meet with us after a fatal accident in Odessa, we review the timeline of events with you, confirm when the clock started running, and look for any facts that might affect your deadline. By acting early, a wrongful death attorney can also send preservation letters, obtain crash reports from agencies that responded in Ector County, and begin securing medical and employment records that may be crucial to your claim.
How We Investigate Odessa Wrongful Death Cases
The strength of a wrongful death claim often depends on the quality of the investigation done in the weeks and months after a loss. Our team moves quickly to gather and protect the evidence needed to prove what happened and who should be held responsible, whether the fatal incident occurred on a busy stretch of I-20, at a drilling site in the Permian Basin, or at a workplace in Odessa. We know families are grieving, so we handle the legwork while keeping you updated on each step we take.
In many cases, we obtain police or Texas Department of Public Safety reports, review photographs and video from the scene, and consult with medical providers at local facilities such as Medical Center Hospital or Odessa Regional Medical Center to understand the full nature of the injuries. When needed, we work with accident reconstruction professionals, engineers, or industry consultants who can analyze vehicle damage, equipment failures, or safety practices that may have contributed to the death. By building this foundation carefully, a wrongful death lawyer from our firm can present a clear, persuasive picture of negligence to the insurance company or, if necessary, to a jury in an Ector County courtroom.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Wrongful death cases are among the most complex in civil law. Corporations and insurers often fight aggressively to limit their exposure, even in the face of tragedy. Without skilled representation, families risk being left with little more than sympathy and an inadequate settlement.
KRW Lawyers has the resources, trial experience, and compassion to take on these cases. We stand beside families in Odessa and across West Texas, making sure their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
Call For a FREE Consultation: (432) 223-9975
If your family has lost a loved one due to negligence in Odessa or Ector County, you deserve answers, accountability, and justice.
Call (432) 223-9975 for a free, confidential consultation. We are available 24/7 to help you understand your rights and take the next step forward.
