Charlotte Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wrongful Death Attorney in Charlotte, NC

In North Carolina, an executor or administrator can seek damages on behalf of the decedent’s legal beneficiaries and estate in a wrongful death case. If you believe your loved one was killed because of a wrongful or negligent act, the failure to act, or carelessness, a skilled Charlotte wrongful death lawyer can help you understand what steps to take to seek compensation.

A professional Charlotte personal injury lawyer can handle the burden of a wrongful death legal claim, allowing you much-needed time to grieve. The team at Steven T. Meier, PLLC, has decades of combined experience assisting families who have gone through the awful experience of the wrongful death of a loved one. Our firm can help you understand the North Carolina personal injury statute of limitations and how it specifically applies to your loss.

Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer

A wrongful death lawyer can be essential to developing a successful legal strategy. Typical actions include:

• Showing a deep understanding of and navigating complex laws
• Using well-developed investigation skills to build a case
• Providing peace of mind to families, allowing them to mourn
• Handling the administrative elements of the case and meeting required timelines
• Estimating appropriate compensation, calculating economic, non-economic, and punitive damages
• Negotiating with insurance companies for appropriate and fair compensation

Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer

It is prudent to contact a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible after your loved one’s death when you suspect negligence. Having the guidance of skilled legal counsel can be instrumental in developing a successful case. A lawyer can ensure that evidence is collected, preserved, and not destroyed. A lawyer can collect critical statements from witnesses.

A lawyer can also make sure that all timelines are adhered to. In North Carolina, a two-year statute of limitations goes into effect from the date of the fatality. If a case is not filed within the two-year timeframe, the court may decide to permanently dismiss the case. This means that you will not be permitted to seek compensation. It is also important to be aware of how insurance companies devalue car accident claims in North Carolina so you can protect the true value of your estate’s recovery.

Often, an insurance carrier will want to negotiate a settlement in a wrongful death case. Car, homeowners, and commercial insurance carriers will typically operate according to their own timelines and will often want to resolve a negotiation as swiftly as possible. An experienced Charlotte car accident lawyer can facilitate the negotiation and help avoid a claim denial.

Compensation will be paid to survivors, including a surviving spouse and children, followed by any surviving grandchildren if the children are deceased, and are the first to inherit. If there is no living spouse or children, the decedent’s parents are the beneficiaries.

Common Causes of Accidental Death

North Carolina law does not specify grounds for a wrongful death legal case. The most common types of wrongful death cases pursued in North Carolina courts include:

• Vehicular fatalities. Individuals who were killed because of a car, truck, or motorcycle accident because another driver was driving recklessly, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, distracted, or engaging in other negligent behaviors.
• Workplace injuries. According to 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the North Carolina sector with the most work-related fatalities was construction at 43, and of those, 20 were the result of a trip, fall, or slip.
• Occupational exposure. Employees who are exposed to hazardous materials such as silica, asbestos, or chemicals that result in lung disease or cancer often seek wrongful death compensation.
• Medical malpractice. If a healthcare provider neglects to provide appropriate care that results in a fatality, the estate may pursue a wrongful death claim. This may include cases involving the death by distribution law if professional negligence led to a fatal medication error.
• Intentional acts of violence. This category includes physical altercations that turn deadly, shootings in public or private settings, robberies, or domestic violence incidents that turn fatal. In 2024, there were 12 domestic violence-related homicides in Mecklenburg County.
• Premises liability. Property owners are responsible for providing a safe environment for delivery people, guests, clients, and customers. in Charlotte,NC, If an individual dies because of unsafe conditions such as slippery floors, unsafe wiring, poor lighting, or defective equipment, a wrongful death claim can be explored.

FAQs

What Is the Wrongful Death Law in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s wrongful death law states that the personal representative or executor of the decedent’s estate can file a civil claim if the death was the result of an individual’s or corporation’s default, neglect, or wrongful act. The estate can seek compensation in the form of economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. These cases are typical when the death resulted from a workplace incident, car accident, medical malpractice, product defect, or criminal act.

What Is the Average Wrongful Death Settlement in NC?

The average wrongful death settlement in NC will vary depending on the strength of the wrongful death claim and the unique circumstances of the case. Factors that will impact a wrongful death settlement include the income, potential earning capacity, and age of the decedent. Other factors include medical bills, insurance coverage policy limits, and who was at fault. Medical malpractice, vehicular accidents, and workplace accidents are common causes of wrongful death cases in North Carolina.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Legal Case in NC?

In North Carolina, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file the wrongful death suit on behalf of the legal beneficiaries. If there is a will, an executor is named the personal representative. If there is no will, the Clerk of Superior Court will appoint an administrator. The Clerk of Superior Court in Mecklenburg County is located at 832 E 4th St, Suite 2132, Charlotte, NC 28202.

How Hard Is it to Win a Wrongful Death Legal Case?

A wrongful death legal case can be hard to win if clear negligence cannot be demonstrated. Wrongful death laws can be complex and challenging to navigate. It can be prudent to hire an experienced wrongful death lawyer. A successful case will need to present strong evidence that shows the defendant’s careless, negligent, or wrongful act that directly led to death. An attorney must also be able to prove that family members suffered economic, non-economic, or punitive damages.

Charlotte Wrongful Death Lawyer

If a loved one has died due to the negligent or wrongful actions of someone else, it is essential to contact an experienced wrongful death attorney to discuss your options. The team at Steven T. Meier, PLLC, offers compassionate and personalized legal guidance. Contact the office to learn how we can help.