Rocky Mount Wrongful Death Lawyer
An unexpected death is always the most difficult time in the lives of families. While nothing can help to erase the pain that the death has brought, there are steps that families can take to help secure their future. One of these steps involves pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or company responsible for the death. These claims can demand compensation to make up for the suffering of the deceased, the financial impact of the death, and to provide comfort for any surviving family members.
A Rocky Mount wrongful death lawyer may be able to help families to pursue these cases. They can work to investigate the incident that led to the death to determine if another party is to blame. Armed with this knowledge, they can file complaints in court and engage in settlement negotiations to demand the compensation needed to help families to move forward with their lives. To learn more, schedule a free consultation today.
When to File a Wrongful Death Claim
Every death is certainly a tragedy. This fact is even more apparent when the death is unexpected or the result of a sudden accident. However, not every death may serve as the impetus for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Many deaths are the result of natural causes. These are situations where a person contracts an incurable disease or pass away as a result of old age or infirmity. It is only when another party’s actions are a primary cause of that death that a lawsuit may be appropriate.
According to North Carolina Statute §28A-18-2, a wrongful death lawsuit is possible when a death is the result of neglect, default, or abuse. In other words, a family may pursue a wrongful death claim when a defendant would have been liable for a personal injury claim had the decedent survived the incident.
Common examples of instances that may give rise to these claims include:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian collisions
- Slips and falls or other accidents due to defects in property
- Defective product claims
A Rocky Mount wrongful death lawyer works to evaluate the facts that led to the death. If the death fits within any of the above categories, they can take steps to demand that the at-fault party provide appropriate compensation.
What Compensation May be Appropriate in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
The purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit is to eliminate the financial burden on a family following a death due to another’s poor behavior. In addition, the lawsuit can provide emotional comfort to a grieving family.
Specifically, North Carolina Statute §28A-18-2 states that plaintiffs in wrongful death lawsuits may demand payment for:
- All necessary medical care for the deceased prior to death
- Funeral expenses
- Payments for the pain and suffering of the deceased prior to death
- Compensation for all financial losses that may affect the family, such as the loss of an earner
- Payments that the jury considers to be just and appropriate
There is no damage cap on Rocky Mount wrongful death claims. As a result, a Rocky Mount wrongful death lawyer could help to measure the impact of a death on a family to demand proper payments from all at-fault defendants.
A Rocky Mount Wrongful Death Attorney Could Help to Stabilize the Future
The weeks and months following an unexpected death are always chaotic for a family. Not only will they need to make arrangements for a funeral and for coping with the sudden loss, but they also need to keep their eyes on the future.
One possible way to secure the future is to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the parties responsible for the death. These may be drivers in a car crash, negligent landowners who allow an accident to occur, or medical practitioners who violated their professional code of conduct.
A Rocky Mount wrongful death lawyer could help you to pursue your claims to compensation following a death. These can include the right to payments needed to cover the costs of final expenses as well as to stabilize your family for the future. To get started on a claim, be sure to schedule a free consultation today.
