Wrongful Death
If your family member has been killed by the unsafe actions of a business or person, you or your family may have a wrongful death claim.
Whether your loved one has been killed in a devastating motor vehicle or trucking incident, a construction site incident, an explosion, a drowning, the unsafe actions of a hospital or healthcare provider, or something else, we may be able to help. We have decades of experience representing families who have lost loved ones around the nation.
We understand that each person lost meant something to the family and leaves a gaping hole that will never be filled. In pursuing wrongful death claims, we ensure that we understand that loss and fight to recover the highest and best recovery for those they left behind.
Depending on your state, these claims are pursued by a family member who is left behind, a designated person under the law or an estate that has been created.
What is a wrongful death claim?
Wrongful death claims can fall into many different categories. Some, but not all, of those categories are listed below.
Motor vehicle accident
Industrial accident
Farming accident
Construction accident
Explosion or severe burns
Drowning
Shooting, including police shootings
Physical assault
“Kristen represented my family and she was amazing. It was during a hard time for me and she was very caring, listened, and explained everything which is very important to understand how things work. She will fight for what’s right and is a go getter and that’s what you need. I can’t say enough good about her. I would recommend her in a heartbeat for anyone needing help with representing them.”
What damages can you claim?
It depends on the state what damages you may claim.
When a family member has been injured or killed by the unsafe acts of a company or person, a wrongful death claim may exist. While the law cannot bring back your loved one, it may provide compensation for you or your family.
In general, if your family member was killed by the unsafe actions or inactions of a company or person, the law may permit recovery for medical expenses, funeral expenses, physical and emotional pain and suffering and the loss of the value of the life. Depending on the state, the value of the life may be measured from the perspective of the person who died or the family that lost the person who died. Lost future wages and support may also be recoverable. In North Carolina, wrongful death damages are measured by the loss to the person’s next of kin, including loss of society, companionship, advice and kindly offices, as well as lost future wages and the value of the decedent’s support for his or her next of kin.
What do you need for a successful claim?
In order to make a wrongful death claim, you must prove that the death was caused by something done wrong or the negligence of another person. It is not enough to prove just the death and that someone did something wrong or negligent. You must prove that the something done wrong or negligent was a cause of the death.
Why contact an attorney immediately?
It is important that you contact an attorney immediately if you believe you or your family may have wrongful death claim. There are deadlines within which claims must be filed or the right to file them is lost forever. Evidence can also disappear if you do not have an attorney to help you preserve it. For these reasons, contact an attorney today to review your claim. Waiting even one day can be the difference between having a claim that you can pursue and being barred from pursuing that very same claim.