Wrongful Death Claims in North Carolina

The decision to file a wrongful death claim is made by family members at different stages of the grieving process. We understand the anger, sadness, and denial you feel can vary day-to-day and even minute-to-minute.

Some family members may feel hesitant about pursuing a claim, cautious about placing a monetary value on your loved one’s life. A wrongful death claim, more importantly, allows family members to recover from the financial loss. It also allows for loss of consortium, loss of companionship and loss of services.

If you have lost a loved one in an event that could have been prevented had someone taken appropriate care, your family may be entitled to compensation under the North Carolina Wrongful Death Act. Generally, liability for personal injury and wrongful death are similar, but there are some unique legal frameworks for wrongful death cases. Under North Carolina law, a wrongful death claim exists when the death of a person is caused by a wrongful act, neglect or fault of another. Essentially, the purpose of the Wrongful Death Act is to put the legal beneficiaries of the deceased person in the same position financially that they would have been had the victim not died.

Wrongful death claims often arise from causes such as the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, negligent maintenance of property (premises liability), negligent design or manufacture of products (product liability), and medical negligence. Filing a claim against the party responsible for the death of your loved one will hold them responsible for their actions and deter them, and others, from continuing the dangerous behaviors that caused this unfortunate and preventable loss.

Although a human life can never be replaced, recovery under the Wrongful Death Act can provide financial security, preserve the family home, and ensure the college education of the survivors. Claimants may recover medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, and future earnings, and pain and suffering for the victim. Any recovery obtained under the Wrongful Death Act is not considered to be an asset of the victim’s estate and therefore the administrator of the estate is not required to use these funds to satisfy other debts of the decedent.

While the time allowed by North Carolina law to file a claim for personal injury is three years, the time allowed for a wrongful death claim is only two years. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced wrongful death attorney promptly in order to discuss the details of your unique case. We will guide you through the analysis and litigation process during this most difficult of times.

David Gantt Law Office pursues your claim vigorously while being sensitive to your family’s emotions. Clients appreciate David’s sensitivity to their concerns and his thoroughness in handling their case. We represent clients who have lost family members in work-related accidents, car accidents, and trucking accidents.

A deadly accident takes just a second to happen, but the impact on the surviving family members is forever. Contact us to arrange a free consultation.