Wrongful death in Fort Worth: a guide for families and when to find a lawyer

Last checked November 8, 2026

We are sorry for your loss. In Texas, a wrongful death claim belongs to the surviving spouse, children and parents.1 It must generally be filed within two years of the death.2 If a City of Fort Worth vehicle or worker was involved, written notice is due within 180 days, unless you show good cause.3

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Road map of central Fort Worth showing downtown, where the Tarrant County Clerk's Vital Records office and Probate Court are located
Tarrant County death certificates: $21 first copy, $4 each extra. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What do we need to do first after a death in Fort Worth?

Nothing about a claim has to happen this week. Give yourself room for the funeral and for your family. A few small things, though, are easier to handle early, and someone close to you can help with them.

  1. If the Medical Examiner is involved, staff can be reached at any hour at 817-920-5700.4 Funeral home releases take place on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.5
  2. Keep any letters from insurers in one folder. You do not have to answer them or sign anything right away.
  3. Write down what you remember and who was there while it is still fresh.
  4. Ask someone you trust to save photos, phones and anything else connected to what happened.

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Fort Worth?

Texas allows a claim when a person or company's wrongful act or carelessness, or that of its workers, caused the death.6 The claim belongs to the surviving spouse, children and parents, and one of them can file on behalf of all.1 The law does not name siblings.

After three months with no filing, the executor or administrator has to bring the claim, unless every one of them asks otherwise.7 A separate claim, for what your loved one went through before passing, belongs to the heirs, legal representatives and estate.8 The two claims can cover different losses, so ask about both.

When a death came from a willful act or gross negligence, extra damages meant to punish may be available.9

How long does a family have to file in Fort Worth?

If the responsible party isTime limit
A driver, company or other private partyGenerally within two years of the date of death2
The City of Fort WorthWritten notice within 180 days, unless good cause is shown3, sent to HR/Risk Management, 200 Texas Street10
Tarrant County, Trinity Metro or another Texas public bodyUsually notice within 6 months11

Those shorter government deadlines can pass while a family is still grieving. If a public vehicle, road or building may have played any part, it is kind to yourself to ask about it early.

How do I get a death certificate in Fort Worth?

You will likely need several, for banks, insurers and the court. The Tarrant County Clerk charges $21 for the first copy and $4 for each added copy bought at the same time, so buying a few at once saves money.12

  • Certificates may be issued to immediate family and others with a direct need for the record.13
  • Order in person, by mail or online through VitalChek.14 You will need a current government photo ID.15
  • The downtown office is in the Plaza Building, 200 Taylor Street, 3rd Floor. Call 817-884-1550.16
  • For a death in Arlington since 1971 or in Grapevine since 1973, ask that City Hall, because the county has no access to those records.17

How do we get the Medical Examiner's report in Fort Worth?

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's office is at 200 Feliks Gwozdz Place. Some causes of death take time to confirm. The first certificate may say Pending and be amended later, and the examination report may take up to 12 weeks or longer.1819 Waiting that long is normal and does not mean something is wrong.

A family copy of the report costs $25, and a certified copy costs $145.2021 Families can send requests to [email protected].22 The office does not perform autopsies to support civil lawsuits, so a private review is a separate question to raise with a lawyer.23

Do we need to go to probate court in Fort Worth?

Sometimes. If your loved one had no will and the estate needs someone to act for it, Tarrant County's probate courts create those administrations.24 Probate Court No. 1 is at 100 West Weatherford St, Room B60, 817-884-1200.25 It can also hear actions by or against an estate's representative, which may matter for the separate survival claim.26

How do we get the crash report after a fatal wreck in Fort Worth?

This is often the first record a family asks for. Fort Worth Police reports are on TxDOT's CRIS site for $6.2728 If nothing appears after 14 days, Records can help at 817-392-4160.29

If a truck was involved, know that the company's records, like driver logs, may be kept for only 6 months.30

Is there help with funeral costs in Fort Worth?

If the death came from a crime, there may be. The Texas Attorney General's program pays up to $6,500 for funeral and burial costs, and it can apply to crimes such as hit and run.3132 It works as a last resort, after sources like burial insurance.33 Applying is free.34 Call (800) 983-9933 for help.35

If your loved one died from a job injury, an OIEC ombudsman helps family members with workers' comp disputes at no cost. Call 866-393-6432.3637

What should we ask wrongful death lawyers in Fort Worth?

  • Who in our family should be named, and who would file?
  • Is any government deadline already running?
  • What will you need from us, and what can you handle so we do not have to?
  • How do you charge, and what would we owe if there is no recovery?

It is fine to take a friend or relative along, to ask for time and to speak with more than one lawyer.

Questions

How long do we have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Fort Worth?

Generally within two years of the date of death.2 A claim involving the City of Fort Worth needs written notice within 180 days, unless good cause is shown.3

Where do I get a death certificate in Fort Worth?

From the Tarrant County Clerk, 200 Taylor Street, 3rd Floor, or online through VitalChek.1614

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Fort Worth

Wrongful death

Texas

Sources

  1. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004(a)-(b), checked 2026-11-08. “An action to recover damages as provided by this subchapter is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. (b) The surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased may bring the action or one or more of those individuals may bring the action for the benefit of all.”
  2. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(b), checked 2026-11-08. “A person must bring suit not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues in an action for injury resulting in death. The cause of action accrues on the death of the injured person.”
  3. Fort Worth City Charter, Chapter XXVII, Section 25, checked 2026-11-08. “within one hundred eighty (180) days after the same has been sustained, unless good cause is shown”
  4. Tarrant County Medical Examiner, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “Assistance is available 24 hours a day at 817-920-5700.”
  5. Tarrant County Medical Examiner, checked 2026-11-08. “Our office will only perform Funeral Home releases on weekdays (Monday through Friday) between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.”
  6. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.002(b), checked 2026-11-08. “A person is liable for damages arising from an injury that causes an individual's death if the injury was caused by the person's or his agent's or servant's wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.”
  7. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004(c), checked 2026-11-08. “If none of the individuals entitled to bring an action have begun the action within three calendar months after the death of the injured individual, his executor or administrator shall bring and prosecute the action unless requested not to by all those individuals.”
  8. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.021(b), checked 2026-11-08. “A personal injury action survives to and in favor of the heirs, legal representatives, and estate of the injured person.”
  9. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.009, checked 2026-11-08. “When the death is caused by the wilful act or omission or gross negligence of the defendant, exemplary as well as actual damages may be recovered.”
  10. City of Fort Worth, Notice of Claim Form, checked 2026-11-08. “HR/Risk Management 200 Texas Street Fort Worth, Texas 76102”
  11. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than six months after the day that the incident giving rise to the claim occurred”
  12. Tarrant County Clerk, Birth and Death Records, checked 2026-11-08. “Death certificate fees are $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy when purchased at the same time.”
  13. Tarrant County Clerk, Birth and Death Records, checked 2026-11-08. “Birth and death certificates may be issued to immediate family members”
  14. Tarrant County Clerk, Birth and Death Records, checked 2026-11-08. “A certified copy of a birth or death certificate can be obtained in person, by mail request, or online using VitalChek.”
  15. Tarrant County Clerk, Birth and Death Records, checked 2026-11-08. “A current government-issued picture identification is required to obtain a certified copy.”
  16. Tarrant County Clerk, Vital Records Locations, checked 2026-11-08. “Tarrant County Plaza Building 200 Taylor Street-3rd Floor”
  17. Tarrant County Clerk, Birth and Death Records, checked 2026-11-08. “Tarrant County Vital Records can only provide an abstract copy of these birth records and has no access to the death records.”
  18. Tarrant County Medical Examiner, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “the medical examiner will certify a "Pending" death certificate, which is later amended”
  19. Tarrant County Medical Examiner, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “an examination report may take up to 12 weeks or longer before being completed”
  20. Tarrant County Medical Examiner, Report Request Form, checked 2026-11-08. “Copy of Inquest Report (Family Only) $25.00 (Each)”
  21. Tarrant County Medical Examiner, Report Request Form, checked 2026-11-08. “Certified copies of Inquest Report $145.00 (Each)”
  22. Tarrant County Medical Examiner, Forms, checked 2026-11-08. “Hospitals, clinics, family/public, DSHS: [email protected]”
  23. Tarrant County Medical Examiner, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “does not perform autopsies to support civil litigation matters”
  24. Tarrant County, Probate Court No. 1, checked 2026-11-08. “The creation of estate administrations for individuals dying without a will”
  25. Tarrant County, Probate Court No. 1, checked 2026-11-08. “100 West Weatherford St Room B60 Fort Worth, TX, 76196 Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 817-884-1200”
  26. Tarrant County, Probate Court No. 1, checked 2026-11-08. “actions by or against a personal representative of a decedent’s or ward’s estate”
  27. Fort Worth Police, Get a Copy of My Accident Report, checked 2026-11-08. “Effective December 15, 2024, requestors should use the website below to request an accident report(s)”
  28. Fort Worth Police, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “for $6.00. If your search for a report returns no results, the report has not been approved.”
  29. Fort Worth Police, Get a Copy of My Accident Report, checked 2026-11-08. “please call the Police Records unit at 817-392-4160 for assistance”
  30. 49 C.F.R. § 395.8(k)(1), checked 2026-11-08. “A motor carrier shall retain records of duty status and supporting documents required under this part for each of its drivers for a period of not less than 6 months from the date of receipt.”
  31. Texas Attorney General, Funeral Cost Reimbursement, checked 2026-11-08. “The CVC Program will pay $6,500 for funeral and burial costs up to for crimes after July 14, 2016.”
  32. Texas Attorney General, Crime Victims' Compensation Eligibility, checked 2026-11-08. “Hit and run”
  33. Texas Attorney General, Funeral Cost Reimbursement, checked 2026-11-08. “By law, the program is a last-resort option.”
  34. Texas Attorney General, Crime Victims' Compensation Eligibility, checked 2026-11-08. “The application is free, and you don't need a lawyer.”
  35. Texas Attorney General, Crime Victims' Compensation Eligibility, checked 2026-11-08. “Toll Free: (800) 983-9933”
  36. Office of Injured Employee Counsel, Ombudsman Services, checked 2026-11-08. “OIEC ombudsman assists unrepresented injured employees or beneficiaries in the case of a work-related death with workers’ compensation disputes.”
  37. Office of Injured Employee Counsel, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-08. “All field offices can be reached at [email protected] or 866-393-6432.”

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