Raleigh Wrongful Death Attorney

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in North Carolina?

Wrongful death lawsuits are usually brought by a representative of the decedent's estate (often the personal representative or executor) on behalf of or with survivors who suffered financially as a result of the death. The estate of the decedent files the wrongful death claim because the estate of the decedent has standing. 

Personal representatives, executors and executrix can be immediate family members of the decedent, including: 

• Wives
• Husbands
• Spouses
• Children
• Parents of young children
• Parents
• Siblings

If a family member does not wish to go through the process due to the hardship, a personal representative can be appointed or hired to alleviate and further suffering.  

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Claims in North Carolina

Wrongful death claims often arise in the context of the following.

• Car accidents, especially those involving drunk drivers. If the case involves intoxication, the lawsuit may also name the person who served the driver alcohol as a defendant.
• Other auto accidents or related-auto accidents, including those involving commercial trucks, semi-trucks, motorcycles, boats, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
• Medical malpractice, when a practitioner fails to provide an acceptable level of care that leads to a misdiagnosis, surgical mistake, prescription error, birth injury, or any other harm
• Product liability, e.g., a defective medication causes someone's death
• Airplane accidents, where the airline, plane manufacturer, or pilot may be named as defendants.
• Premise liability accidents, e.g., a slip and fall or another accident occurring on someone else's property.

What Are Common Defenses to Wrongful Death Claims in North Carolina?

The defenses available to a defendant in a wrongful death claim and their application vary between states. If you are the plaintiff, it is important to know what potential defenses are so that you can be prepared to argue against them. 

Some common defenses include:

• Expiration of the statute of limitations, where the plaintiff has filed their claim beyond the deadline and is now ineligible to recover.
• Contributory negligence, where the defendant alleges the decedent's negligence contributed to their death.
• Self-defense, where the defendant says they used reasonable force against the decedent to protect themself from the decedent causing serious harm to them.

Whether a specific defense applies depends on the circumstances of the case. It's also important to remember that just because a defense is invoked, it does not mean you can't argue against it. When a defense is invoked, the defendant must prove it. 

The standard of proof in a wrongful death action is the civil standard of a preponderance of the evidence. In other words, it is more likely than not that the defendant's actions resulted in the wrongful death.

Contact Posch Law Firm in North Carolina Today

If you lost a loved one and believe you may have a wrongful death claim but are unsure, our wrongful death attorney can help you understand what your legal options are. Time is of the essence, though. 

The statute of limitations usually begins running at the time of death, and the period to file a claim is often shorter than it is for any other type of personal injury claim. To know how long you have to file a claim, contact Posch Law Firm today by filling out the online form or calling us at (910) 817-6284. We will schedule a Free with our wrongful death attorney so that you can get the legal advice and representation you need.