Losing a loved one is never easy. While pain is inevitable when someone passes away, the grief, anger, and financial hardship that result from a wrongful death tend to be far more severe than when someone dies in the natural course of life. A wrongful death claim allows survivors to hold liable parties accountable for this severe pain and financial hardship. While no financial recovery can replace a loved one, it can ease financial suffering, make the liable party feel the weight of their actions, and instill some sense of justice for the wrongful death.
Our firm asks you to trust us with your case. We will show you our trademark determination and work ethic. We will also handle your case with care, knowing that sudden loss leaves most people in an immensely fragile state. Call Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys today at (980) 414-5755 to schedule your free consultation about hiring a Cornelius wrongful death lawyer to fight for you.
Results, Resources, and a Stellar Reputation
Attorneys Devlin Horton, Nick Mendez, and their fellow lawyers did not enter the legal profession to be ordinary. We strive to be the gold standard in personal injury law for clients throughout North Carolina, including those who need effective, results-driven representation after losing a loved one.
Trust between a client and their attorney is paramount, and it’s even more important when you’re trusting your lawyer to provide justice for a loved one’s loss. You can depend on Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys because:
- We fight not only for you but for the loved one you’ve lost: A wrongful death case is about much more than just the settlement or verdict we are striving for. The importance of pursuing justice is heightened when we are holding parties responsible for taking a life, and our aggressive approach will reflect that.
- Our results are extraordinary: An extraordinary loss demands an extraordinary financial recovery. Our firm has delivered tens of millions of dollars to our clients, including a $38 million jury verdict in 2022 that was the largest of its kind in North Carolina.
- We are in Cornelius to stay, so we have a reputation to protect: Our office on 9606 Bailey Road means Cornelius is not just an area we serve but one of our firm’s home communities. Our reputation here matters, and we treat clients right, knowing that reputations are earned, not given.
- We were once on the other side of wrongful death claims, and this perspective is priceless: If an insurer is financially liable for your losses, take solace knowing three of our attorneys once defended insurers. We know their playbook and now wield our unique experience to benefit claimants. This experience benefits us whether we pursue an insurance claim or a lawsuit.
You can be certain that our firm will treat you as family and handle your case in a manner that reflects the gravity of your tragic loss. Call Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys today for a free consultation, during which you can ask questions and get to know us better.
When Is a Death Wrongful, and How Do Wrongful Deaths Happen?
A death can be wrongful when it results from:
- Negligence, which means the person who caused the death acted in some unreasonable manner that could have foreseeably led to harm
- Intentional acts that will undoubtedly cause harm, such as physical attacks
Acts you might describe as “reckless” can also be grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. When you contact us for your consultation, we will evaluate your specific circumstances and explain your options. Those options may include an insurance claim, lawsuit, or both.
Who Can Receive Compensation for the Cost of a Wrongful Death?
Your family structure will determine who is eligible to receive compensation through a wrongful death claim. Potential beneficiaries, in order of priority, include:
- A spouse
- Children
- Grandchildren
- The decedent’s parents
- The decedent’s siblings (and potentially the siblings’ children)
- The decedent’s grandparents
These matters become complicated quickly. We will walk you through considerations related to real property, personal property, the order in which various relatives are eligible for compensation, and other aspects of wrongful death claims in North Carolina.
The most helpful advice is personalized advice, which we will offer you during your consultation and your wrongful death case in Cornelius.
The Cost of Wrongful Deaths Typically Last Years, and Warrant Substantial Settlements and Verdicts
As soon as someone dies, the cost of victims’ damages rises dramatically. For instance, the average economic cost of a fatal car accident is $1.952 million. For comparison, the average economic cost of a car accident resulting in disabling injury is $167,000.
Your Cornelius wrongful death attorney will consider both the economic and non-economic toll of your loved one’s passing, and that may include:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering, almost always including grief, which can be more acute and complicated when a loved one passes away suddenly
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium, which reflects harm to the spousal relationship
- Loss of the decedent’s income and any other forms of financial support they provided
We also consider the void left in a household or family when someone dies. When the spouse who used to mow the lawn or the mom who used to comfort children is suddenly gone, the absence is felt deeply by survivors. Our financial demands will reflect the day-to-day pain and struggles you’re enduring and may face for the foreseeable future.
Our Approach to Wrongful Death Cases Has Produced Tens of Millions in Recoveries
To the client, our approach to wrongful death cases appears compassionate, supportive, informative, and protective. Our approach looks far different to the parties we seek compensation from, who witness a calculated, precise, urgent type of aggression. We will work hard to resolve your case as efficiently as possible by:
- Obtaining evidence to prove fault and liability for your loved one’s death
- Documenting the pain, suffering, one-time expenses, long-term economic harm, and other damages that entitle you to compensation
- Presenting fair, detailed financial demands that we will justify, explain, and fight for
- Engaging in any necessary mediation proceedings and trial, should liable parties choose not to provide a fair settlement
As you might suspect, your case will demand much more from us, and we will put in the work that compelling wrongful death cases require.
We will be your personal advocates throughout your case, and we hope our comprehensive service allows you to heal without the distraction of your case.
Let’s Talk About Getting You a Trustworthy Cornelius Wrongful Death Lawyer
At Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, we know how deep a wrongful death cuts.
Life is never the same when a loved one passes away in avoidable circumstances. It will be our duty to build a case that reflects the all-affecting nature of a wrongful death and deliver justice in the form of a substantial settlement or verdict.
Our case results, presence in Cornelius, and reputation among former clients suggest we are the firm to handle your case. Call Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys today at (980) 414-5755 for your free consultation, or you can contact us online.
