Goldsboro Lawyers
Personal Injury, Estate Planning,
and Social Security Disability
and Social Security Disability
Goldsboro Wrongful Death Lawyers
In North Carolina wrongful death claims, especially those involving fatal car wrecks and trucking accidents, during a time of grief, it can feel almost impossible to think about opening an estate, protecting evidence, dealing with insurance companies and their adjusters, and deciding whether to bring a legal claim against the at-fault party.
At Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, we help families in Goldsboro, Wayne County, and surrounding communities understand the wrongful death claim process, who may act for the estate, and what North Carolina law allows a family to recover after a fatal accident. Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. It would be an honor to explain how these claims work, answer your questions, and help you make informed decisions at a time when even practical decisions can feel heavy.
In the difficult days after a sudden death, you may be arranging a funeral, facing the loss of household income, and hearing from an insurance adjuster who is already protecting the insurance company’s interests. You do not have to work through the legal side of that on your own. In addition to legal excellence, we have established a reputation as a law firm that treats clients with the same respect and dignity we offer our loved ones.
First Things You Should Know about a Wrongful Death Claim in North Carolina
- A wrongful death claim in North Carolina is governed by N.C.G.S. § 28A-18-2 and must be brought by the personal representative or collector of the person who died.
- The recovery is for the benefit of the family members the statute identifies, and it is generally not treated like ordinary estate property.
- The deadline is generally two years from the date of death under N.C.G.S. § 1-53(4).
- North Carolina follows the contributory negligence rule, and the party raising that defense carries the burden of proving it.
- Punitive damages are possible in qualifying cases, but they are never automatic.
| Legal Issue | What It Means for the Family |
|---|---|
| The wrongful death statute | A North Carolina wrongful death claim is governed by N.C.G.S. § 28A-18-2. The statute controls who may bring the claim and what damages may be recovered. |
| Who may bring the claim | Who receives the recovery? |
| Who receives the recovery | The recovery is for the benefit of the family members identified by law. It is generally not treated like ordinary estate property. |
| What is the Statute of Limitations? | The Statute of Limitations to file suit is generally two years from the date of death, consistent with N.C.G.S. § 1-53(4). |
| Contributory negligence | North Carolina follows the contributory negligence rule. The party raising that defense carries the burden of proving it. |
| Punitive damages | Punitive damages may be available in qualifying cases, including certain impaired-driving fatal wrecks, but they are not necessarily automatic. |
Wayne County Fatal Accident Attorneys
The legal definition of wrongful death is the death of a person due to a willful act, a wrongful act, or the negligence of another person or party. Your loved one would have had an injury that led to or caused their death.
Most of the people who contact us about a wrongful death claim are grief-stricken and struggling to cope with their daily lives. If the family’s lost loved one was the sole wage earner, there are additional and immediate concerns related to daily living expenses.
Allow us to help you identify your options in a wrongful death case.
Don’t Suffer In Silence
If you have lost a loved one due to an accident or act of violence, please contact our Goldsboro office at 919-735-7275 to discuss your options with one of our lawyers. We know that no amount of money can ever make up for your suffering, but there are financial realities that must be faced. Our Goldsboro wrongful death attorneys work hard with financial experts to ensure that we create a settlement that prevents you from experiencing any additional hardships.
You pay no fees unless we recover for you.
Contact Us
Fill out the form or call us at (919) 735-7275 to schedule your initial consultation.
