Losing a loved one due to the negligence or misconduct of another is a devastating experience that leaves families facing immense emotional and financial burdens. In Texas, the legal system provides a path for surviving family members to seek justice and compensation, but navigating these high-stakes claims requires a firm with extensive trial experience and deep investigative resources.
1. Arnold & Itkin LLP
Founders: Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin
Founded: 2004
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: 888-493-1629
Website: https://www.arnolditkin.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 6009 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77007 | 713-222-3800
- Dallas: 3615 N. Hall St, Dallas, TX 75219 | 469-208-5535
- San Antonio: 100 NE Loop 410, Suite 650, San Antonio, TX 78216 | 210-222-3800
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Trucking Accidents, Industrial Disasters, Maritime Law, Oilfield Injuries
Firm Size: 40+ attorneys
Fee Structure: Contingency Fee
Languages: English, Spanish
About the Firm: Arnold & Itkin LLP is nationally recognized for securing record-breaking results in wrongful death cases, having recovered over $20 billion for their clients. The firm has a history of winning massive verdicts for families, including a $222 million verdict for the widow of a plant burn victim and a $209 million verdict for a family who lost a father to a fatal virus. They specialize in cases involving “gross negligence,” which allows for punitive damages under Texas law. The firm is known for its aggressive “trial-ready” approach, often taking on multi-national corporations that refuse to offer fair settlements to grieving families.
2. Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner
Managing Partner: Benny Agosto, Jr.
Founded: 1951
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: 713-222-7211
Website: https://www.abrahamwatkins.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 800 Commerce Street, Houston, TX 77002 | 713-222-7211
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Personal Injury, Product Liability, Aviation Accidents, Medical Malpractice
Firm Size: 15+ attorneys
Fee Structure: Contingency Fee
Languages: English, Spanish
About the Firm: As one of the oldest and most established personal injury firms in Texas, Abraham Watkins has spent over seven decades representing families in wrongful death litigation. The firm’s attorneys include several who are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, ensuring a high level of technical expertise. They have secured billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, including historic recoveries for deaths caused by defective automotive parts and industrial explosions. Their longevity in the Texas legal system provides them with a deep network of experts to testify on complex liability and damages issues.
3. Zehl & Associates, PC
Founder: Ryan Zehl
Founded: 2005
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Phone: 888-603-3636
Website: https://www.zehl.com
Office Locations:
- Houston: 2700 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77056 | 713-491-6064
- Midland: 100 N Main St, Midland, TX 79701 | 432-220-0000
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Oilfield Accidents, Trucking Accidents, Maritime Injuries, Personal Injury
Firm Size: 10-20 attorneys
Fee Structure: Contingency Fee
Languages: English, Spanish
About the Firm: Zehl & Associates is famous for its “undefeated” trial record and its focus on catastrophic accidents in the energy and transportation sectors. The firm has secured the #1 largest accident verdict in Texas history and specializes in complex wrongful death claims arising from oil rig blowouts and refinery fires. Ryan Zehl, a former briefing attorney for the Texas Supreme Court, leads a team that is consistently ranked as “Personal Injury Law Firm of the Year” by national legal journals. They are particularly skilled at navigating the intersection of state law and federal maritime regulations like the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA).
4. Thomas J. Henry Law
Founder: Thomas J. Henry
Founded: 1993
Headquarters: San Antonio, TX
Phone: 210-941-2177
Website: https://thomasjhenrylaw.com
Office Locations:
- San Antonio: 5711 University Heights Blvd #101, San Antonio, TX 78249 | 210-941-2177
- Austin: 4401 West Gate Blvd Suite 200, Austin, TX 78745 | 512-520-2984
- Dallas: 6031 Connection Dr #900, Irving, TX 75039 | 469-535-6490
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Company Vehicle Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Mass Tort, Personal Injury
Firm Size: 200+ attorneys
Fee Structure: Contingency Fee
Languages: English, Spanish
About the Firm: Thomas J. Henry Law is a high-volume trial firm with the resources to handle hundreds of active wrongful death cases across Texas. The firm is known for its “conquer” mentality, frequently achieving multi-million dollar results in cases involving commercial vehicle collisions and medical negligence. In early 2026, the firm continued its streak of significant recoveries for families of workers killed in preventable industrial accidents. Thomas J. Henry is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has built a massive infrastructure that includes state-of-the-art case management and in-house investigative teams.
5. Varghese Summersett
Founder: Benson Varghese
Founded: 2014
Headquarters: Fort Worth, TX
Phone: 817-203-2220
Website: https://versustexas.com
Office Locations:
- Fort Worth: 300 Throckmorton St, Suite 1650, Fort Worth, TX 76102 | 817-203-2220
- Dallas: 2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 950, Dallas, TX 75201 | 214-903-4000
- Houston: 2925 Briarpark Drive, Suite 850, Houston, TX 77042 | 713-222-7211
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Personal Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Criminal Defense, Family Law
Firm Size: 25+ attorneys
Fee Structure: Contingency Fee
Languages: English, Spanish
About the Firm: Varghese Summersett brings a sophisticated trial approach to wrongful death claims in North and Southeast Texas. The firm’s Injury Law Group is composed of experienced trial lawyers who emphasize personalized representation and compassionate client care. They specialize in high-stakes death cases resulting from drunk driving, workplace safety violations, and premises liability. The firm’s unique background in both criminal and civil law allows them to effectively coordinate with law enforcement during fatal accident investigations. They have earned over 1,100 five-star reviews, reflecting their commitment to achieving justice for grieving families while providing transparent communication.
In Texas, wrongful death claims are primarily governed by Chapter 71 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Only the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased are entitled to file a claim; if they do not act within 90 days of the death, the executor or administrator of the estate may file instead, unless specifically requested otherwise by the family. Under Section 16.003, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is typically two years from the date of the person’s death. Texas also allows for “Survival Actions,” which permit the estate to recover damages the deceased suffered prior to death, such as conscious pain and suffering.
The firms listed on this page represent a selection of wrongful death practices operating across Texas. Each firm’s details, including office locations, phone numbers, practice areas, and background information, are based on publicly available data verified at the time of publication. Inclusion on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Individuals seeking legal representation should conduct their own research, verify current attorney licensing through the State Bar of Texas, and schedule consultations to determine the right fit for their specific situation.
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