If you lost a loved one due to the negligence or recklessness of another person, we are so sorry for your loss. It’s always hard to lose a loved one, but it can be especially difficult to move forward if the loss was unexpected. Our Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyers want to fight for your financial recovery, but more importantly, we want to support you as you work through your grief.
At Whitley Law Firm, our clients are our family. We want to uplift you and offer our compassion during your search for justice. Not only will we handle every aspect of your legal case, but we will use our time, resources, and dedication to build a path forward. Using our ties to this community, we will connect you with others who can help. It is our ultimate goal to set you on a path toward personal, emotional, and financial recovery, and we will fight fiercely to achieve it.
Call (919) 785-5000, or visit us online for your free consultation.
The Whitley Advantage for Raleigh Wrongful Death Clients
Our firm has served severely injured accident victims and bereaved families in North Carolina for nearly 50 years. As a result, we’ve formed deep connections with the people in this community. We are on a first-name basis with our neighbors, medical professionals, and other experts who could be an asset to your case.
As a locally owned and operated firm with deep ties to the Raleigh area, we are confident we can assist you in ways that other firms cannot. You deserve individualized care and attention, and our Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyers aim to provide that.
This whole-hearted care and kindness is the Whitley Advantage.
Legal Services We Provide as We Handle Your Case
First and foremost, we want to give you your best shot at justice. That means you get the benefit of our knowledge and experience during a completely free consultation. Whether we decide to work together or not, we want to be a listening ear and sympathetic resource for you. Not only will we listen to your story and offer comfort, but our Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyers will guide you on the next best steps for your circumstances.
If we decide to work together, we want to go above and beyond. Here are some of the services we offer:
- We investigate the accident that led to the loss of your loved one. This involves gathering evidence to support your case and building a strong argument on your behalf.
- We present your case to the insurer or jury.
- We recruit experts who can testify to the cause of the accident and your resulting losses.
- We negotiate for compensation that is appropriate for your family’s losses.
- We give you room to grieve and recover while we handle the legal process.
- We prepare your case for litigation from the beginning, so you don’t have to worry about an expired deadline.
- We handle all case-related communication.
- We provide frequent, upfront, and honest communication about the progress of your case.
You should never feel in the dark about the progress of your claim or lawsuit. You will have your Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyer’s phone number and email, so you have a direct line of communication with them. You can request an appointment at any time, and we return your phone calls within 24 hours. We work for you, not the other way around.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Raleigh, call (800)785-5000
Wrongful Death Cases We Help Families With in Raleigh
Wrongful death cases often center around the negligence or recklessness of another party that resulted in the loss of a valued family member. Wrongful death cases cover many different areas of law, including car accidents, medical negligence, and product liability. All you need to know is that we are here to build your case if you lost a loved one because of someone’s actions or inaction. This is what our Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyers can help you through at this difficult time.
Here are a few types of wrongful death cases we can help you with:
- Reckless, distracted, or aggressive driving accidents
- Accidents caused by intoxicated drivers
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycling accidents
- Over or under-medication errors
- Dangerous drugs
- Delayed treatment mistakes
- Improper treatment from medical professionals
- Negligent or abusive care from a nursing home
- Accidents in the workplace
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Deaths resulting from violent criminal acts
- Drowning accidents
- Toxic exposure
However your loved one was hurt, if someone else is to blame, we can pursue damages through an insurance claim or lawsuit. We can give you more information, answer your questions, and provide free legal guidance during your consultation.
Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me (800)785-5000
Raleigh Wrongful Death FAQs
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Who Is Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Case in North Carolina?
Only certain members of the family may benefit from a wrongful death lawsuit, and only the personal representative of the decedent’s estate can pursue damages on their behalf. Per N.C.G.S. § 28A-1-1, the personal representative is the executor or administrator. Your Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyer can help you determine who this is or appoint a personal representative.
However, typically the loved one will have named the executor (most likely a family member) in their will to handle their estate after their passing. An administrator, on the other hand, handles the estate if the loved one passed without a will. They are named by the probate court. This person can also be a surviving family member.
Whether an administrator or executor, this personal representative will pursue wrongful death damages on behalf of the surviving family members.
Can the Surviving Spouse File a Wrongful Death Case?
If the spouse is designated as the personal representative in the decedent’s will, they can file a wrongful death case and pursue damages; however, regardless of whether they’ve received this designation, spouses are a legal heir. Heirs are entitled to the damages that the personal representative and their attorney are able to secure.
Can Surviving Children File a Wrongful Death Case?
Biological and adopted children, whether adults or minors, are entitled to wrongful death damages as heirs of the decedent’s estate. However, minor children cannot pursue a case on their own, and adult children can file a wrongful death case only if they are the personal representative of the estate.
Who Can Receive Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim or Lawsuit?
Money secured from a wrongful death case is distributed differently depending on the number of heirs. The amount recovered would also depend on the estate’s expenses (such as medical bills), as the financial award would pay these first. Regardless of how the will distributes other assets, wrongful death compensation is given to:
- The surviving spouse. If the person who passed had no surviving children, then the spouse would receive the entire financial award.
- The surviving spouse and children. Both the spouse and child are entitled to half of the compensation if there is only one child. If there are two children, the award will be split equally into thirds.
- The surviving children. If there is no spouse, the surviving children (or grandchildren of deceased children) will receive equal parts of the financial award.
If no spouse, children, or other lineal descendants remain, the award may be distributed among the person’s parents, siblings, or other family members. Our Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyers can help you determine how the award may be distributed in your case.
How Long Do You Have to Sue for Wrongful Death in North Carolina?
Per N.C.G.S. 1-53(4), the personal representative generally has two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The date of your loved one’s passing begins the countdown. Some exceptions apply to the statute of limitations, so an attorney can help you correctly interpret and meet those deadlines. The quicker you can reach out to one of our Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyer the better. We are here to work for you!
How Does an Attorney Demonstrate Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case?
In a wrongful death case, your attorney must show that another party’s negligence caused their accident. That requires meeting these four criteria:
- Duty of care. The person who caused the accident owed your loved one a duty of care to behave as any other reasonable person would in the same situation.
- Breach of duty of care. They failed to act reasonably and were, therefore, negligent or reckless with your loved one’s safety.
- Causation. The responsible party’s negligence caused (or was the proximate cause of) your loved one’s accident and passing.
- Damages. You lost your loved one in the accident, and your family experienced personal and financial suffering as a result.
To meet these criteria, your attorney would gather evidence such as the accident report, surveillance footage, photo and video evidence, and expert testimony. These would help to demonstrate to the insurer or court that the at-fault party caused the accident through negligence.
Who Pays the Damages in a Wrongful Death Case?
The person who caused the accident is typically financially responsible for your losses (usually through their insurance company). This will depend on the type of wrongful death case you’re filing and may include more than one person or entity. In wrongful death claims, liability could rest with:
- Motorists
- Businesses
- Employers
- Property owners or managers
- Residents of a rental property
- Government entities
- Doctors, nurses, and hospitals
- Nursing home staff
There are many other potentially liable parties. Your Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyer will investigate the cause of your loved one’s passing to identify who is responsible for your damages.
What Are My Chances of Winning a Wrongful Death Case?
In most cases, the strength of the available evidence determines the outcome. Supporting information will include how credible and abundant your witnesses are. The evidence in your case should demonstrate the cause of your loved one’s passing, along with your family’s hardships.
Unfortunately, your family may face claims from the defense that your loved one contributed to their accident in some way. Our Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyers will protect you and your case from any unfair allegations.
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Choose Whitley Law Firm to Advocate for Your Family
Wrongful death law is complex, and you have enough to deal with already. Our Raleigh Wrongful Death Lawyers can take on your case’s responsibilities while you focus on yourself and your priorities. We hope you’ll allow us to facilitate your family’s healing, recovery, and fight for justice.
Call (919) 785-5000 or visit us online to get started.
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