Go to navigation Go to content

Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton

All We Do is Injury Law

Toll-Free: 1-800-752-0042
Phone: 1-757-460-7776

PHONE: 757-460-7776
TOLL FREE: 800-752-0042

Get help Now!

Interested in working with us? Call us on 1-757-460-7776 or fill out this quick form and we will contact you within 24 hours!

 

Practice Areas

What Types of Damages Can You Sue for in a Carolina Wrongful Death Case?

No amount of money can undo the damage done when a loved one is killed in a preventable accident. Whatever lawsuits are filed, and whatever compensation is recovered, doesn't begin to bring back your family member or undo the carelessness, recklessness or negligence that led to the incident. However, it is important to remember that the loss of a close family member, such as a spouse, parent, or child, can be financially damaging. In addition, it is important to make certain that the person, company, or entity who is responsible for the death pays for what they did and prevents similar accidents from occurring in the future.

So, if it is impossible to put a price on the loss of a human life, how do wrongful death attorneys determine the damages in wrongful death lawsuits? A lawyer can help you determine an appropriate amount by adding together the compensatory damages and the punitive damages. Here are a few examples of the types of damages that a family might recover in a wrongful death settlement:

  • Funeral expenses and burial costs

  • Medical expenses and hospital bills

  • Loss of companionship and loss of care

  • Pain and suffering and mental anguish

  • Loss of future wages

  • Loss of pension plans and loss of inheritance

  • Loss of childcare and housekeeping

  • Loss of medical coverage

  • Punitive damages

Many considerations go into the amount of a wrongful death settlement, including how much the person earned in the past, what their physical health was like at the time of their death, and even how the person spent their money -- for example, whether they gambled or saved their money. Punitive damages, a payment made to punish the responsible party for their negligence or reckless behavior, is a more difficult number to arrive at and is capped in many states.

How much has the loss of a loved one affected your family, your life and your finances? Talk to a Carolina wrongful death attorney to find out if you have a case and deserve compensation.


About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a law firm whose attorneys focus on injury and accident law and we have experience handling wrongful death cases. We serve every area of North Carolina, including the Outer Banks, Nags Head and the western mountains, as well as all the cities and counties in between. In South Carolina, we cover the state from Myrtle Beach and Charleston to Orangeburg, Columbia, Florence, Rock Hill, Darlington, Aiken, Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg. 

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008 and listed in the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Our North Carolina injury law firm has also been named one of the Best Injury Law Firms in North Carolina for personal injury plaintiffs since 2010 by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, our firm has the highest rating of AV from national lawyer ranking organization Martindale-Hubbell. That means we have a reputation for demonstrating preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential injury case consultations. So call us toll-free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call promptly.



Best Lawyers, VA, NC, SC
Best Injury Lawyers in North CarolinaSuper Lawyers, VA, NC, SC