At Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys, we are Jacksonville wrongful death lawyers. Our experienced attorneys can help you file for compensation after a loved one’s death. We offer free case evaluations and are here 24/7 to take your call.
Call or message us now.
Jacksonville Wrongful Death Attorney
When another party has legal fault for causing a death, they may owe family members monetary compensation. You can have an attorney represent you in the compensation process.
Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys handle wrongful death claims in Jacksonville, NC, and the surrounding areas.
What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death Case in Jacksonville, NC?
A wrongful death case in Jacksonville, NC, is like a personal injury claim but one that results in death. N.C.G.S. § 28A-18-2 defines wrongful death as a death by wrongful act where the person would have had an injury claim if they had lived. The wrongful act is negligence, default, or another wrongful act.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the personal representative of the deceased person files the wrongful death claim. That’s the person named as executor in the will. If no one is named, it’s usually a close relative, such as a spouse or child. There’s a priority list for who gets named personal representative.
Even though it’s the personal representative that files, they’re not typically the one who receives the money in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Parties who may benefit include the spouse, child, or parents.
There is a hierarchy for how proceeds are distributed. North Carolina law for wrongful death compensation applies in Jacksonville.
Legal Representation for Wrongful Death in Jacksonville, NC
- Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys handles wrongful death claims.
- Our lawyers represent the families of those who have lost a family member.
- Even though the personal representative files the case, that is not the same as having an attorney. An attorney provides legal representation.
- Whether the injury occurred in Jacksonville, NC, or you live in the community, we can assist you.
The death of a loved one is a great personal loss. The financial compensation that you receive can help you when you need it most. With legal representation, you have a team doing everything possible to maximize your compensation.
Types of Damages Available in Wrongful Death Cases
The compensation in a wrongful death claim reflects the different types of harm. For example, medical expenses, lost income, services provided to the family, and funeral expenses may be covered. Anguish and suffering may also be compensated.
An important reason to have a lawyer for a wrongful death claim is to have a trained professional evaluate damages. Damages must be specific and proven. We can take the steps to maximize the claim.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Jacksonville, NC
- Car accidents, motor vehicle accidents
- Slips and falls, falling objects
- Machinery accidents and incidents
- Broken and defective products
- Electrical malfunction, electrical accidents, fires
- Dog bites, animal attacks
- Drowning
- Sports and recreation incidents
- Intentional harm, assault and battery, gunshot wounds
The basis for a wrongful death claim is the legal fault of someone else due to negligence or other misconduct. Most claims are the result of accidents rather than intentional harm.
How Long Do You Have To File a Wrongful Death Claim in NC?
You have two years to file a wrongful death claim in NC. The timeline begins at the date of death. While there are some exceptions, it’s always best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Proving Negligence in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The first step in receiving compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit is proving negligence. Negligence is a lack of reasonable care—someone did something unreasonable or failed to do something. Their behavior created an unsafe situation that resulted in harm.
As your lawyers, we may prove negligence through the following:
- Witness testimony
- Accident reconstruction
- Product or function testing
- Reports of similar incidents and events
- Data recorders
- Photographs, video, surveillance
- Records
- Expert testimony
Why You Need a Jacksonville Wrongful Death Lawyer for Your Case
Wrongful death claims are often for large amounts, and insurance companies don’t want to pay. With a lawyer, you have help with important questions like:
- Do I have a wrongful death case?
- What is my case worth?
- How do I proceed?
- Is this a good settlement? Should I go to trial?
- Are there things I can do to maximize the award?
- Can I minimize the burden of the claims process?
Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys speaks on your behalf, inside and outside of the courtroom. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to deny and minimize compensation, and you can have a legal team fighting for you, too.
Legal consultations available
We invite you to contact a Jacksonville, NC, wrongful death lawyer. You may not know if you have a case, and it can be hard to know how to proceed or what your options are.
Our professional and caring team takes care of everything. At your consultation, we’ll learn about what happened. Our team explains what’s involved in bringing a case and welcomes your questions.
If you choose us as your wrongful death lawyer, we make the sign-up process easy. We then get right to work on your case.
Why choose our lawyers
Our lawyers know the insurance company playbook because we used to work for the insurance companies. Now, we bring that knowledge to you.
We know the local Jacksonville, NC, courts and understand the statewide laws that apply to wrongful death claims.
Our law firm advocates for people, including in wrongful death claims. See how our knowledge and experience can help you by contacting us for a consultation.
Consultation with a Jacksonville Wrongful Death Lawyer
We invite you to contact Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys to speak with a wrongful death lawyer. Get legal representation today. Call or message us now.
