Nothing can replace a lost loved one. But if you’ve lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, a wrongful death lawyer can help you fight for justice and recover compensation.
For a FREE consultation with an experienced wrongful death lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the fast and easy form below.
There is never any obligation. An experienced wrongful death attorney at Riddle & Brantley will review your case and help determine your best legal options. If you decide to hire us, we will fight aggressively for you and your lost loved one’s right to justice.
Wrongful Death Attorneys Handling Cases Across North Carolina
Our wrongful death lawyers serve the entire state of North Carolina, including:
- Raleigh
- Durham
- Greensboro
- Winston-Salem
- High Point
- Charlotte
- Fayetteville
- Goldsboro
- Greenville
- Jacksonville
- New Bern
- Wilmington
We offer free consultations by phone, email, text, and video conference. We can even come directly to you if you prefer, however no in-person meeting is required in order to get started on your case.
If you’ve lost a loved one and their death was a result of someone else’s negligence, you deserve justice and we would love to help you if we can. Please call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your claim.
“They turned a heartbreaking situation completely around.”
-Tonya Taylor, Riddle & Brantley client
Statute of Limitations for Death Cases in North Carolina
Time is of the essence when seeking justice for a lost loved one. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for most wrongful death claims is two years from the date of death.
There are a few exceptions, however the two-year statute of limitations applies in most cases.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation and we would love to help you get the justice you deserve.
For a FREE, no-obligation consultation, please call 1-800-525-7111. One of our wrongful death attorneys will consult with you for free, and if you decide to hire us, we will thoroughly investigate your claim, help prove liability, and do our best to recover the compensation you deserve.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in North Carolina?
According to North Carolina law, wrongful death lawsuits must be filed by the representative of the victim’s estate. A wrongful death lawsuit may seek damages for both the estate and relatives of the victim.
If, however, the person named in the estate plan cannot or will not serve as the representative (or if there is no estate plan), the court may appoint another person. The personal representative in a wrongful death claim is often a surviving spouse, parent, or son or daughter (provided they are over 18 years of age).
Damages in Wrongful Death Claims in North Carolina
“Damages” is compensation awarded for financial and/or emotional loss in a particular case. In a wrongful death lawsuit in North Carolina, surviving relatives may seek damages for many different kinds of loss, including:
- Medical expenses resulting from the deceased’s care related to his or her final illness or injury
- Pain and suffering endured by the victim before death
- Funeral and burial expenses (within reason)
- Lost income
- Loss of the deceased’s services, protection, care, and/or assistance
- Loss of society, companionship, consortium, comfort, guidance, and/or advice
Punitive damages — awarded in certain cases to punish a defendant or “send a message” — may be awarded in some wrongful death cases in North Carolina. These damages may only be awarded in deaths resulting from “malice or willful or wanton conduct.
Our Results
At Riddle & Brantley, we pride ourselves on providing excellent client service and delivering the best possible result we can. Since 1985, we’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation for surviving relatives in wrongful death cases (see disclaimer below), including:
- $9,450,000 | Tractor-Trailer Accident — A family of four was tragically killed in a horrific highway accident outside Fayetteville involving multiple tractor-trailer trucks. We led a comprehensive investigation, including accident reconstruction and evidence such as traffic data from Google Maps. We proved liability in the case and filed multiple lawsuits, ultimately securing $9.45 million in total compensation in separate settlements.
- $2,250,000 | Truck Accident — A young woman was killed instantly when she was hit head-on by a truck that crossed the center line. Attorney Gene Riddle knew the family personally and took the case, determined to get justice for the victim. We partnered with Raleigh attorney David Kirby to investigate the accident, proved liability, and secured $2.25 million in a negotiated settlement.
- $3,000,000 | Nursing Home Negligence — The victim was living in an assisted living facility when the mishandling of medical equipment resulting in his contracting Hepatitis B, which tragically led to his death. We investigated the incident and filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Superior Court, taking the case to trial, where we ultimately won a $3,000,000 award on behalf of surviving relatives.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.
Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle
In more than three decades serving the people of North Carolina, our attorneys have handled many types of wrongful death cases, including but not limited to:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Tractor-trailer accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Dangerous drug cases
- Defective medical device cases
- Nursing home negligence cases
- Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma
- And more…
Award-Winning Wrongful Death Attorneys
Our wrongful death lawyers have more than 220+ years of combined legal experience and we’ve been serving surviving family members since 1985. Our team of experienced attorneys has been recognized by many prestigious organizations and awards (see disclaimer below), including:
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Super Lawyers
- AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
Founding partner and wrongful death lawyer Gene Riddle has additionally been honored with the 2014 Litigator Award (see disclaimer below).
What Our Clients Are Saying
Of course, settlements and verdicts are just one measure of our success. We’re also proud of the way our valued clients describe their experience working with our attorneys and staff:
- “Every time I’ve needed them, they were there for me.” -Tyronnie T.
- “I would recommend them to anyone. They fought hard for me.” -Christine W.
- “They handled my case very professionally, with respect from beginning to end.” -Joseph P.
“They made a hard time in my life easier to endure.”
-Melissa C., Riddle & Brantley client
Have You Lost a Loved One Due to Someone Else’s Negligence?
Our wrongful death lawyers would love to help if they can. Nothing can ever make up for your loss, but we can help you seek the justice you and the deceased deserve.
For a FREE consultation with an experienced and compassionate wrongful death lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111.
There is no obligation, there are no upfront costs, and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive compensation for your loss.
Call 1-800-525-7111 today to speak with an attorney at no charge. We can consult with you via phone, email, text or video conference, and can even come to you directly if you prefer. No in-person visit is required in order to get started on your case, however.
Justice Counts for those who have lost loved ones due to others’ negligence.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.
*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the Litigator Award, and other memberships, awards, and accolades, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.