Jurisdiction Intelligence Report

Wrongful Death Case Values in Texas (2026)

Data-driven verdict and settlement analysis for Wrongful Death cases in Texas. Median outcome: $24.4M across 4 tracked cases.

Verdicts Tracked
4
Median Outcome
$24.4M
Mean Outcome
$39.7M
Range
$11.4M–$98.7M

Verdict Distribution

RangeCasesPercent
$5M+4100%

Key Valuation Factors

Defendant identity and institutional profile (e.g., utility company, law enforcement, corporate entity)Decedent's age, earning capacity, and financial dependency of survivorsDegree of defendant negligence or willful misconduct supporting punitive exposureAvailability and strength of economic loss documentation (lost wages, benefits, household services)Comparative fault allocation and ability to surpass the 51% contributory negligence bar

Key Trends & Insights

Wrongful Death verdicts in Texas show significant variability, with outcomes ranging from $11.4M to $98.7M and a median of $24.4M, suggesting that case-specific factors such as defendant identity and egregious conduct can dramatically skew results upward. The high-profile Jean v. Guyger verdict of $98.7M, involving a police officer defendant, illustrates that cases with strong emotional and civil rights dimensions can overcome Texas's generally defense-favorable jury environment. Despite Texas's modified comparative fault (51% bar) rule and non-economic damages caps applicable in certain contexts, plaintiffs in wrongful death matters are securing substantial awards, likely driven by economic damages components such as lost earnings and loss of household services that fall outside statutory caps.

Notable Cases

Baldish Kaur, et al. v. Oncor Electric Delivery Company NTU LLC, et al. $37.5M
2024 · Business Wire

Truck driver Shamsher Singh was killed after his 18-wheeler broke down on the shoulder of I-635 West in Dallas. He had been out of his vehicle for less than a minute to inspect it when an Oncor service truck slammed into his 18-wheeler. Video evidence at trial showed that the other driver was distra

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Crane, et al v. Liberty Lane, LLC., et al. $11.4M
2024 · TopVerdict.com

TopVerdict lists this as a 2024 wrongful death verdict involving a truck/motor vehicle collision with survival action and fatal bodily injury categories. The entry indicates a two-vehicle accident and trucking claims.

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Jean v. Guyger $98.7M
2024 · Romanucci & Blandin / AAJ Top Verdicts 2024

Family of Botham Jean received $98.65M verdict ($60M punitive, $38.6M compensatory) after off-duty Dallas police officer Amber Guyger entered his apartment, mistaking it for hers, and shot and killed him. Jury found Guyger used excessive force while acting in her capacity as a police officer. One of

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Crane v. Liberty Lane LLC $11.4M
2024 · TopVerdict.com Top 100 Wrongful Death Verdicts 2024

Family received $11.4M verdict after decedent was killed in a collision with a commercial truck. Case involved two-vehicle truck vs. car accident. Attorneys James Cole and Eric T. Penn of Cole, Easley, Sciba & Williams obtained the verdict.

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