If your loved one passed away in a preventable accident, we are sorry for your loss. Our team can help you find closure by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Doing so allows you to hold the liable party accountable for their actions and seek fair compensation for the unexpected loss and financial damages your family now faces.
A Burke County wrongful death lawyer from our firm can assume the full legal burden of your case. This includes identifying the party responsible for your loved one’s death, building a case against them, and determining how much compensation they may owe you. At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we also review cases for free.
Seeking Damages for Wrongful Death in Burke County
While no amount of money can bring back your loved one or erase the pain of losing them, seeking compensation can make the recovery process easier by:
- Allowing you to maintain your standard of living without your loved one’s income
- Enabling you to pay debts your loved one left behind and any debts you incurred as a result of the accident
- Ensuring that justice is served on your loved one’s behalf and that the liable party does not get away with what they did wrong
A wrongful death lawyer from the Burke County office of Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can help you pursue the following damages and more.
Economic Damages in a Wrongful Death Case
If you or your loved one lost any money because of the accident, you may qualify to recover:
- Lost financial support: Did you rely on the deceased to maintain your standard of living? You can estimate how much of their earnings would have contributed to your support and ask the liable party for that amount.
- End-of-life expenses: This includes the cost of burial, cremation, a funeral, estate settlement, and so on.
- Medical expenses: Did your loved one survive the accident long enough to receive medical attention? If they did not already recover those expenses for themselves, you may be able to do so.
Non-Economic Damages for the Loss of a Loved One
Non-economic damages cover physical and emotional losses. You could qualify on the basis of:
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering: The injury caused your loved one noticeable emotional and physical distress prior to their passing.
- Your loved one’s quality of life: Your loved one suffered a loss of mobility or independence prior to their passing.
- Your emotional anguish: Recovering from the sudden loss of a loved one is a monumental task. You may struggle with shock and grief for a long time.
- Lost companionship: Your loved one is no longer around to provide you with affection or advice.
It Is Best to Start on a Wrongful Death Case Quickly
It is crucial to act quickly to preserve your right to seek these damages. This way, you can:
- Stay within the statute of limitations: As G.S. § 1-53 states, wrongful death survivors must take legal action within two years of a loved one’s death. Otherwise, they permanently lose all right to seek compensation.
- Collect fresher evidence: More documentary evidence may be available if you start sooner, and eyewitness recollection may contain sharper, more accurate details.
- Give us more time to act: The sooner we can get started, the more time we have to consider all options and build the strongest possible case.
For a free legal consultation with a wrongful death lawyer serving Burke County, call 828.286.3866
What Do Wrongful Death Attorneys Do?
A lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can handle almost every legal task on your behalf. This includes:
- Investigating the accident by locating witnesses, requesting important documents, visiting the accident scene, and more
- Calculating how much money your and your loved one’s injuries are “worth” in dollars
- Filling out and submitting all necessary paperwork, from notifying the liable party to drawing up a settlement agreement
- Speaking and meeting with the liable party and their representatives on your behalf so that you do not have to face them yourself
- Negotiating with the liable party’s insurance company to make sure that you receive fair compensation for your and your loved one’s suffering
- Taking your case to court, if the liable party refuses to offer a fair settlement or to meet for negotiations
Burke County Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
Accidents That Lead to Wrongful Deaths in Burke County
Our team understands that there is a severe emotional toil when you lose a loved one in Burke County. We provide compassionate care designed to address your family’s unique situation. Please reach out to a Burke County wrongful death attorney for assistance after a(n):
Motor Vehicle Collision
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), over 1,000 people lost their lives in vehicle accidents in North Carolina in 2019. We can help you if your loved one was a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian.
We understand these accidents may result from another driver’s distraction or aggressive driving. Our team takes steps to show that another driver behaved in a reckless manner, such as speeding or running a red light.
Accident on the Job
Workplace accidents sometimes lead to serious consequences. Construction workers, for example, face numerous hazards each time they go to work. They could experience electrocution, a crushing accident, or exposure to dangerous chemicals.
Our team knows that on-the-job accidents can occur in any career field. We’ll listen to your family’s story and provide you with legal guidance after the loss of a loved one.
Medical Malpractice
Medical professionals have a duty of care to their patients. Sometimes, they fail to provide proper care. Doctors may take too long to diagnose, make an incorrect diagnosis, provide the wrong medication, or make other errors while treating a patient.
You can reach out to us for assistance if a doctor or another healthcare provider didn’t provide the correct treatment to your family member.
Accidents Caused by Defective Products
Manufacturers have a legal responsibility to assess all dangers associated with their products before they sell them to the public. However, sometimes companies put toxic food or products containing harmful substances on the market.
We step in to help if you lost a family member due to a defective product. See how we can help you during a free case review.
We Put Our Burke County Clients’ Needs First
Our office knows the painful consequences a fatal accident can have on a family. We strive to ease your burdens by:
- Welcoming questions or concerns at any time of the day or night
- Explaining your rights and options in terms that are easy for non-lawyers to understand
- Offering professional advice whenever you need help making a legal decision
- Keeping in touch frequently so that you do not have to wonder about what is happening with your case
If there is ever anything we can do to make the legal process easier for you, we encourage you to let us know. Our team is only too happy to accommodate you however possible.
Wrongful Death Cases We Build for Our Clients
Injuries and wrongful deaths occur because one or more parties exhibited negligent, careless, or reckless behavior. This may include:
- A driver who is driving too quickly or does not pay proper attention to the roadway
- A manufacturer that does not conduct proper safety testing or allows a faulty product to go to market
- A maintenance crew that fails to keep a vehicle or an environment in good working order
- A dog owner who does not keep their animal properly restrained
- A doctor or healthcare facility that does not exercise proper caution while treating the patients
No matter how your loved one’s fatal accident happened, help is available. The team at our Morganton office can determine who the liable party is in your case and pursue compensation from them, no matter how long it takes.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Review Your Eligibility to File a Wrongful Death Claim in North Carolina
A Burke County wrongful death attorney can help you assess your ability to file a claim after the loss of a loved one. Generally, North Carolina only accepts claims from the personal representative of your loved one’s estate.
Your loved one may have chosen an executor if they had a will. If not, the court may appoint an administrator to handle their estate. We help you understand the ins and outs of filing this kind of civil claim for your family.
Note that parties other than the representative of the estate can recover compensation.
Our Firm Helps Wrongful Death Survivors in North Carolina
On behalf of the entire team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we are deeply sorry for your loss. We serve clients throughout Burke County and can assign a wrongful death lawyer to seek compensation for you and your family. To get in touch with our Morganton office for a free consultation, call us today or contact us online.
Find out more about the services offered by a Burke County wrongful death lawyer when you reach out to our team for help.
Call or text 828.286.3866 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form