Raleigh Wrongful Death Attorney Explains What To Do When a Loved One Dies in an Accident in North Carolina:
In North Carolina, cases that involve the death of a person are called “wrongful death” actions and allow recovery of a special set of damages in additional to regular personal injury damages. Additionally, “wrongful death” actions have special laws and procedures that our experienced Raleigh wrongful death lawyers are ready to help you navigate.
Who Files the Wrongful Death Claim?
Unlike a typical personal injury claim, a wrongful death claim is brought by a representative of the deceased person’s estate. Sometimes that is the executor of the estate and sometimes it is by special court appointment. That representative will “stand in” for the deceased person as though it was representative’s own injury. However, as addressed below, that representative does not receive any damages or recovery from the lawsuit.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in North Carolina?
You have two (2) years from the date of the death to bring a wrongful death claim. Unfortunately, if the claim is brought after the two-year deadline, the court could dismiss it. That’s why it is important to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you don’t lose your right to bring a claim.
Who Receives the Damages Recovered From a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
If the lawsuit results in damages or recovery, that money is paid to the estate of the deceased person. One purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit is to ensure that medical bills and expenses related to the accident and death are covered, so some of any recovery will be used by the personal representative to pay for funeral expenses, medical bills, and legal fees. The remainder of any settlement or judgment is then paid to the estate. Those funds will then be distributed according to the deceased person’s estate planning (if they have a will) or will be divided among the deceased person's family pursuant to North Carolina law. Our experienced trusts and wills lawyers can answer any questions you have about how estate planning or North Carolina law can affect your wrongful death claim.
What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Claim in North Carolina?
There are two types of damages that can be recovered for a wrongful death claim. First, you can recover the same type of damages normally available in a personal injury claim for the deceased person’s pain and suffering and medical bills. Second, you can recover special wrongful death damages that include damages to family members and the deceased person’s estate.
Personal injury damages on behalf of the deceased person includes:
Reasonable funeral expenses
Reasonable medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident
Conscious pain and suffering prior to death
Special wrongful death damages for the deceased person’s family includes:
Loss of the decedent’s companionship, comfort, and guidance
Loss of the decedent’s services, assistance, protection, and care
Loss of the decedent’s reasonable future income
How Can Our North Carolina Wrongful Death Attorneys Help?
Our wrongful death lawyers in Raleigh have more than 55 years of combined experience fighting on behalf of victims’ family members in wrongful death claims against powerful corporations and insurance companies. As former defense attorneys, our injury attorneys understand the insurance companies’ litigation and settlement tactics, and most importantly, how they evaluate and value personal injury claims. We can provide insight into their thought processes, liability evaluations, and settlement calculations that will help to ensure that your case is treated fairly and taken seriously. Our Raleigh personal injury lawyers focus on aggressively prosecuting your case and can help you navigate these difficult waters and seek the best resolution to your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyers Near You
Though accidental death cases in North Carolina may seem similar to personal injury claims, a wrongful death claim is far more complex to pursue than the average car accident. Only experienced wrongful death attorneys in Raleigh, NC are able to investigate, evaluate, and prepare an accidental death case in order to recover its full value. Contact our wrongful death and injury attorneys in Raleigh, NC to discuss when and how to start on your case.