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Talk with one of our experienced Lawyers today to discuss options moving forward with a wrongful death claim. We’ll review your case at our initial meeting at no cost to yourself, and advise you on the best path towards a settlement – without any obligation to retain our services.

For over 40 years we’ve been helping folks in North Carolina get fair settlements for wrongful death and all types of personal injury claims.

What Is A Wrongful Death Action?

The surviving spouse, parents or children of a wrongful death victim may be able to file a claim for economic and non-economic damages, since the purpose of a wrongful death claim is to compensate those remaining family members who have suffered as a consequence of the loss.

What constitutes ‘Wrongful Death’ and how can a wrongful death lawyer help?

There are various ways in which a person might loose their life in an event that is no fault of their own. Reckless driving is one of the most common causes of fatalities in the USA and thus represents the largest percentage of wrongful death lawsuits [Car crash lawyer info]. Reckless driving of cars, trucks and other motorized vehicles includes driving while distracted (using mobile phones, eating…), drunk or otherwise impaired (drugs, for example).

Product liability, medical malpractice, work place related fatalities and criminal acts can all trigger wrongful death lawsuits under certain circumstances.

The first step for any wrongful death lawyer is to carefully examine the details of the assumed ‘wrongful death’ to determine whether or not there actually is a case. Once it is established that a case or claim exists, a wrongful death attorney will assist the estate with the amount of compensation to be sought.

Considerations for the damages recoverable for death by wrongful act include:
– Expenses for care, treatment and hospitalization incident to the injury resulting in death
– Compensation for the pain and suffering of the decedent
– Reasonable funeral expenses of the decedent
– The present monetary value of the decedent to the persons entitled to receive the damages recovered.

These are the basics but there are other more detailed assessments which will need to be made by the attorney handling the case. For example, if the decedent survived initially, and later passed as a result of the accident/injury, claims can be made for pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Also, if the defendant was driving while intoxicated, a claim can be made for punitive damages which are awarded in order to punish the defendant for their wilful and wanton conduct. Additionally, it is possible sometimes to make a claim for bystanders who witnessed an accident.

Wrongful death cases require counsel from an experienced and sympathetic attorney who can help you and your loved ones through the many stages of preparing and filing a claim, and if necessary, filing a lawsuit. It’s important to begin the process as soon as possible, so that evidence is not lost and memories don’t fade.

While there’s no amount of financial compensation that can replace or make up for the loss of a loved one, having some financial stability can be of great comfort in helping a family to move forward with their lives.