Greensboro Wrongful Death Attorney: Compassionate Advocacy for Families Seeking Justice

Losing a member of your family is a profound and life-altering event. When that loss happens because of someone else’s careless or wrongful actions, the grief is often compounded by feelings of injustice and uncertainty. While no legal action can ever replace your loved one, a wrongful death claim can provide a measure of accountability and financial stability for your family to move forward.

A dedicated Greensboro wrongful death attorney can help guide you through this difficult process with compassion and determination, allowing your family to focus on healing. At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, we understand the immense pain families endure. We fight to hold negligent parties accountable and to help secure the future for those left behind.

Why Choose the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin for Your Greensboro Wrongful Death Claim?

Since we opened our doors in 1997, our mission has been to provide excellent legal representation, one client at a time. This dedication to doing high-quality work for as many people as possible has defined what we call the “James Scott Farrin Advantage.” It is a commitment you can feel from your very first call with us.

We have built a formidable team to fight for our clients. Many of our attorneys have been recognized for their work, and our staff includes former insurance adjusters and defense firm attorneys. This inside knowledge helps us understand how the other side operates and allows us to build compelling cases for the people we represent. Our track record speaks to our dedication:

• We have recovered over $2 billion in gross for over 78,000 clients since 1997. And counting.¹
• We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless we obtain compensation for you.²

Our goal is to get you as much as possible, as quickly as possible. We know how to push back against delays and keep your case moving forward. We believe in putting you first, and for us, that means fighting for the justice you and your family may be owed.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in North Carolina?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit, which is different from a criminal case. While a criminal case, such as vehicular manslaughter, is brought by the state to punish a wrongdoer, a civil wrongful death claim is brought by a personal representative of the deceased person’s estate to seek financial compensation for their losses. The legal basis for these claims is established in North Carolina General Statute § 28A-18-2.

This statute allows a claim to be filed when a person’s death is caused by a “wrongful act, neglect, or default of another” — the same circumstances that would have allowed the deceased person to file a personal injury claim had they survived.

In North Carolina, the claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, which includes an executor or administrator. The personal representative is the individual legally appointed to manage the final affairs of the person who passed away. This person acts on behalf of the estate and its beneficiaries, which typically include the surviving spouse, children, and parents.

In cases in which there is a will, the personal representative is the Executor of the estate, and in cases where there is no will, the personal representative is the Administrator of the estate.

It is critical to be aware of the state’s statute of limitations, which is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. Generally, a wrongful death claim in North Carolina must be filed within two years of the date of death. If this deadline passes, your family might lose its right to seek compensation forever. An experienced attorney can help you manage these important deadlines.

What Types of Incidents Can Lead to a Greensboro Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death can occur in almost any setting where negligence is present. Families in Greensboro and across the Piedmont Triad have had to endure these tragic losses stemming from a wide variety of circumstances. A Greensboro wrongful death attorney can evaluate the specifics of any fatal incident to determine if a claim is possible.

Some common situations that might lead to a wrongful death claim include:

• Auto Accidents: Collisions involving cars, commercial trucks, and motorcycles are a frequent cause of fatal injuries. Accidents on busy roads like I-40, I-85, and Wendover Avenue can have devastating consequences due to high speeds and heavy traffic.
• Defective Products: A dangerously designed or manufactured product, from a faulty appliance to a defective medical device, can cause a fatal injury, potentially making the manufacturer or seller liable.
• Medical Malpractice: When a doctor, nurse, hospital, or another healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and that failure leads to a patient’s death, it could be grounds for a wrongful death claim.
• Premises Liability: Property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. A fatal slip and fall on a wet floor or an accident due to negligent security could lead to a wrongful death claim.
• Workplace Accidents: Though many on-the-job fatalities in Greensboro are covered by workers’ compensation, a wrongful death lawsuit might be possible against a third party (someone other than the employer) whose negligence caused the accident.

These are just a few examples. Any situation where one party’s negligence or intentional act results in another person’s death could potentially form the basis of a wrongful death lawsuit.

Proving Negligence: The Foundation of Your Claim

The central element of a wrongful death case is proving that the other party was negligent. In simple terms, negligence is the failure to use reasonable care, which results in harm to another person. Building a case to demonstrate negligence can be complex and requires a careful and thorough investigation.

Think of a strong legal case as a three-legged stool. For the stool to stand, all three legs must be solid. If even one leg is weak or missing, the entire stool collapses.

1. Liability: The first leg is proving that the other party was at fault — that their negligence or wrongful act directly caused the death. This involves collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and establishing a clear link between the action and the fatal outcome.
2. Damages: The second leg represents the losses your family may have endured. This can include not just financial losses, like medical bills and lost income, but also the profound, non-economic loss of your loved one’s companionship, guidance, and care.
3. Collectability: The third leg is the ability to collect on any potential settlement or verdict. This typically means the at-fault party has insurance coverage or sufficient assets to pay any damages awarded.

Proving liability in North Carolina can be particularly challenging, and even small mistakes can harm a case. This is a primary reason why having a skilled legal team on your side is so important. An experienced wrongful death attorney can focus on trying to establish these three critical elements while you and your family focus on each other.

What Compensation Might a Family Be Eligible to Recover?

While no amount of money can make up for the loss of a family member, the law allows families to seek compensation for the wide-ranging harms and losses they have experienced. The purpose of these potential damages is to try to ease the financial burdens that often follow a sudden death and to compensate for the intangible losses that are just as real.

Under North Carolina law, potential compensation in a wrongful death claim can include payment for:

• Medical care expenses for the final injury or illness that led to the death
• Reasonable funeral and burial expenses
• The pain and suffering the deceased person endured before their death
• The loss of the deceased’s income, retirement, and other financial contributions they would have provided to the family
• The value of the services, protection, care, and assistance the deceased provided
• The loss of society, companionship, comfort, guidance, and advice for the surviving family members

In some rare cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless or malicious, it might also be possible to pursue punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

Calculating the full value of these potential losses is an incredibly detailed process. It often requires working with financial experts, such as economists and life care planners. Our experienced law firm has the extensive resources needed to dedicate the necessary assets to build a compelling case for maximum compensation.

How a Greensboro Wrongful Death Lawyer From Our Firm Can Help

When your family is grieving, the last thing you should have to deal with is a complex legal battle against an insurance company. The personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin can take that burden off your shoulders. We will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on what matters most.

We Manage the Details

Wrongful death cases may involve a great deal of administrative work, from establishing the estate to filing the correct legal documents. We can manage this complicated paperwork, ensure procedures are followed correctly, and meet all strict legal deadlines on your behalf.

We Build Your Case

A compelling wrongful death claim is built on strong evidence. We start by conducting a thorough investigation. We can gather and examine evidence, such as police reports from the Greensboro Police Department, medical records from facilities like Cone Health, and any witness statements. As needed, we can also work with investigators to reconstruct accident scenes and consult with experts as we try to strengthen your claim.

We Handle the Insurance Company

Insurance companies often try to minimize what they pay out. Some might try to delay the process or make a lowball settlement offer, hoping your family will accept it out of financial pressure. We communicate and negotiate on your behalf. We know their tactics and how to counter them, fighting to level the playing field.

We Fight for Maximum Compensation

Our goal is to identify all possible sources of compensation and calculate the full potential value of your family’s harms and losses. We know how to fight for a result that addresses both your current financial needs and your family’s future security.

Greensboro Wrongful Death Attorney FAQs

Here are answers to some questions we are often asked about wrongful death claims in North Carolina.

Who receives the compensation from a wrongful death settlement?

Potential compensation recovered is generally distributed to the deceased’s heirs according to North Carolina’s intestacy laws, which dictate how property is divided when someone dies without a will. This typically means the surviving spouse and children are the primary beneficiaries.

Can I file a wrongful death claim if the person at fault is a family member?

Yes, it is possible. These situations are very sensitive, but often the claim is not against the family member personally but against their insurance policy, such as an auto or homeowner’s policy. An attorney can handle these delicate matters with care.

What if the deceased did not have a will?

If there is no will, the court will appoint an administrator to act as the personal representative for the estate. A Greensboro wrongful death attorney can assist your family with the process of having an administrator appointed so that a claim can be filed.

Contact Our Greensboro Wrongful Death Attorneys Today

If your family has lost a loved one due to someone else’s actions, you do not have to face the legal process alone. We understand this is an incredibly difficult time, and our team is here to provide the compassionate and determined legal guidance you might need. We will fight to protect your rights and pursue the accountability and compensation your family may be entitled to.

“I have never felt so cared for in my life. They keep you in the loop of everything going on and treat you like a family member not a business transaction.” –April J., Greensboro Google review¹

If you, or a loved one, have been injured or wronged, contact the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin today for free help with your case evaluation. Call us at 1-866-900-7078, contact us online, or visit our Greensboro office. Tell them you mean business.

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