Fuquay-Varina Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you’re likely experiencing significant emotional and financial distress. Our Fuquay-Varina wrongful death lawyers at Whitley Law Firm can provide guidance and support, helping you seek justice and fair compensation. 

We can help you determine if you have a valid claim and guide you through the legal process. For instance, if your loved one was killed in a car accident, we can connect you with a skilled Fuquay-Varina personal injury lawyer who can help you hold the responsible party accountable.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Fuquay-Varina

When seeking justice for your loved one’s wrongful death, it’s natural to wonder how such a tragedy could have occurred. Unfortunately, wrongful deaths can happen due to various preventable circumstances. Some common causes of wrongful death include:

• Medical mistakes: Fatal errors made by healthcare professionals, such as misdiagnosis, medication errors, or surgical mistakes, can lead to devastating consequences.
• Fatal overdoses: The opioid epidemic has led to a surge in fatal overdoses, often due to reckless prescribing practices or pharmacy errors. You may have a claim if someone else’s negligence caused your loved one’s overdose.
• Negligent or reckless behavior: Car accidents, workplace injuries, and other incidents caused by negligent or reckless behavior can also lead to wrongful death. In these cases, the responsible party may be held liable for their actions.

Understanding the cause of your loved one’s death is fundamental to building a strong wrongful death claim. A knowledgeable Fuquay-Varina wrongful death lawyer can help you investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and fight for the justice you are entitled to.

Who Can File a Claim in Fuquay-Varina

While handling the process of seeking justice for your loved one’s wrongful death, you’re likely wondering who has the right to file a claim. In North Carolina, the law outlines specific individuals who can bring a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased.

Typically, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate, often a family member, is responsible for filing the claim. This individual is usually appointed by the court and is tasked with managing the estate’s affairs, including pursuing legal action. 

In some cases, multiple family members may be eligible to file a claim, such as parents, spouses, or children. The specific family members eligible to file will depend on the circumstances of the case and the laws of North Carolina.

Fuquay-Varina Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me (800) 785-5000

Damages a Fuquay-Varina Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Recover

When you file a wrongful death claim, you may be entitled to various types of damages. Some of the damages you can recover include:

Economic Damages Awarded

Several factors contribute to the economic damages you may be entitled to in a wrongful death claim. These damages are designed to compensate you for the financial losses you’ve suffered as a result of your loved one’s death. Some of the economic damages you may be eligible for include:

• Lost income: This includes the income your loved one would have earned if they had not passed away. This can include future earnings, bonuses, and benefits.
• Medical bills: You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses related to your loved one’s final illness or injury, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medication.
• Funeral and burial expenses: You may be able to recover the costs associated with burying your loved one, including funeral services, burial plots, and headstones.

A Fuquay-Varina wrongful death lawyer can help you understand what damages you may be entitled to and guide you through the legal process.

Non-Economic Damages

In the aftermath of a wrongful death, the emotional toll can be overwhelming, leaving a hole in your life. You may be entitled to non–economic damages, which compensate for the intangible losses you’ve suffered.

Non-economic damages can also include compensation for emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These emotional struggles can affect your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

You may be eligible to receive damages for loss of companionship, loss of consortium, or loss of guidance, depending on your relationship with the deceased.

Punitive Damages Claimed

Beyond non-economic damages, you may also be eligible for punitive damages, which serve as a form of punishment for the responsible party‘s reckless or intentional actions. These damages are designed to deter similar behavior in the future and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.

In North Carolina, punitive damages are capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages or $250,000, whichever is greater. However, there are exceptions to this cap, such as in cases where the defendant’s actions were motivated by malice or willful and wanton conduct. Some examples of punitive damages include:

• Excessive fines imposed on the responsible party to punish their reckless behavior
• Jury outrage at the defendant’s actions leading to an award of punitive damages
• Awards intended to deter similar behavior by the defendant or others in the future

The Importance of an Investigation in Fuquay-Varina

When you’re dealing with a wrongful death case, you must act quickly to gather evidence, as valuable information can be lost or destroyed over time. Here are some things to keep in mind when building an investigation:

Gathering Evidence Quickly

Rapidly following a wrongful death, evidence can disappear or become compromised, making it imperative to gather evidence quickly. As you handle the process of seeking justice for your loved one, you must prioritize evidence preservation. 

To guarantee a strong case, your wrongful death lawyer will need to:

• Secure physical evidence: Collect and preserve physical items related to the incident, such as vehicles, equipment, or other objects that may hold information.
• Gather witness statements: Interview witnesses and gather their accounts of the event while their memories are still fresh.
• Document the scene: Take photographs and videos of the accident scene, as well as any relevant surrounding areas, to create a detailed record of the circumstances.

Analyzing Accident Scene

After gathering evidence, you’ll need to analyze the accident scene to reconstruct the events leading up to the wrongful death. This step is important in building a strong case, as it helps identify factors that contributed to the tragedy. 

Accident reconstruction experts can also analyze the scene. Our professionals use software and techniques to recreate the accident, taking into account factors such as speed, direction, and impact.

Contact a Fuquay-Varina Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

You’ve suffered a devastating loss, and now it’s time to seek justice. A Fuquay-Varina wrongful death lawyer can help you through the legal process, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your emotional and financial losses. 

By choosing Whitley Law Firm, you’ll get personalized attention and a better understanding of North Carolina laws, giving you the chance to secure the justice you need. Contact us today for a free consultation.