Cases We Handle:
Wrongful Death
North Carolina Wrongful Death Attorney | Langino Law PLLC
When someone you care about is lost due to another individual’s or a company’s failure to act with reasonable care, it can be devastating. The lives of those left behind are forever affected, often filled with difficult questions—why did this occur, who is responsible, and how can we prevent it from happening again? Facing such a tragedy, especially when a loved one dies because of negligence, it’s vital to have a skilled team supporting you. Working with an experienced law firm like Langino Law PLLC in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is crucial for guiding you through complex legal cases, such as wrongful death claims.
Grief, bereavement, and mourning may seem similar, but they are not identical and should not be used interchangeably. Everyone responds differently to the loss of a loved one. While families are planning funerals after a tragic death, corporations or their insurance companies are often promptly strategizing defenses to avoid responsibility. Sometimes, those at fault—or their insurers—reach out to survivors seeking statements that might help them escape accountability. At Langino Law PLLC our mission is to ease the legal burden that follows when someone dies due to another person’s or company’s negligence. We manage the legal process to find the answers you need, allowing you to focus on yourself and your family. Wrongful death cases require experienced counsel, and Langino Law PLLC is equipped to provide it. Attorney Adam Langino, based out of Chapel Hill, offers nationally recognized legal skill with strong local ties for clients throughout North Carolina. Read more: Wrongful Death: A Guide for Survivors.
With Langino Law PLLC, you’ll receive professional representation, backed by years of courtroom experience, from an attorney who has recovered millions of dollars for victims. We combine unparalleled local knowledge, gained from working for North Carolina clients, with a national reputation. If you’ve lost a loved one tragically due to a fatal accident in North Carolina, choose the clear leader, attorney Adam Langino, for your case. Read more: Adam's experience and recognitions.
Choosing the Right Wrongful Death Attorney
Langino Law PLLC can help in North Carolina.
Having the right attorney for your family makes a difference following a loss — one who not only has experience and a successful track record with your type of case, but who also has the courage, kindness, and faith to understand that your circumstances are unique. When the stakes are highest, choosing the best attorney to represent you and your family is critical. Read Adam Langino’s insights on selecting the best personal injury attorney for your case.
When you hire Langino Law PLLC, you won’t be reassigned to a less experienced lawyer or get lost in the bureaucracy of a large corporate law firm. You’ll get the personal attention and dedication you deserve. See some examples of the results Adam has achieved for clients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
What is a wrongful death lawsuit?
If a person dies by the negligence of another in North Carolina, a representative of their estate can file a wrongful death case against the responsible party. Wrongful death claims, also known as loss of life lawsuits, can arise from accidents and injuries, including:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Workplace and construction accidents
- Defective or dangerous products
- Premise liability
- Negligent security
If you have questions about whether your situation calls for a wrongful death claim, contact Langino Law PLLC for help understanding your options and what compensation may be available.
Who can file a wrongful death case?
If your loved one has died due to injuries, an estate must be opened — typically at the local county courthouse where the deceased person resided before their death. Usually, a spouse is the proper person to open an estate. If the deceased was not married, the appropriate person is typically their parent or adult child. Many courthouses have a dedicated clerk to help families with the process of opening an estate.
In North Carolina, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. This is often a spouse, parent, adult child, or another family member appointed by the court. Any compensation recovered is distributed to eligible family members according to North Carolina law. Read more: Wrongful Death: A Guide for Survivors.
If you have concerns about whether you should pursue a wrongful death lawsuit, contact Langino Law PLLC to help understand if you have a valid claim.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
In North Carolina, you have two years from the date of death to bring a wrongful death claim. That means if it is past the allotted time, then you cannot file a wrongful death claim – absent very specific exceptions.
At Langino Law PLLC, when we talk, there’s no pressure — just an honest, compassionate conversation about your situation and what we can do to move forward together. Our goal is to help you find clarity, confidence, and the support you deserve.
Who can be held responsible for a fatal accident?
In North Carolina, any person or company whose negligence was a cause of the death of another may be held responsible. Depending on the circumstances, liable parties for wrongful death cases may include:
- Car and truck drivers
- Employers or management companies
- Doctors, hospitals, or medical providers
- Property owners or managers
- Manufacturers of defective products
In addition, multiple parties can be held responsible if more than one contributed to the death.
What types of damages can be recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit?
North Carolina's Wrongful Death Act provides for recovery of several categories of damages when a person's death is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another. Compensation for a wrongful death claim can include:
- Expenses for care, treatment, and hospitalization incident to the injury resulting in death
- Pain and suffering of the decedent (Read more: What are Pain and Suffering Damages?)
- Funeral expenses
- The loss of the reasonably expected net income of the decedent, services, protection, care and assistance of the decedent, society, companionship, comfort, guidance, kindly offices and advice of the decedent
- Punitive damages, in some circumstances
Read more: Wrongful Death: A Guide for Survivors.
Why pursue a wrongful death lawsuit?
There are several compelling reasons to consider pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit, even though financial compensation cannot reverse the loss of a loved one. Such legal action can help families obtain crucial answers regarding the circumstances leading to the death. Additionally, it serves to hold accountable the individual or entity responsible for the harm, providing a sense of closure—particularly in cases where criminal prosecution is not pursued. Most importantly, filing a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking transparency, and demanding accountability can contribute to preventing similar incidents in the future. When those responsible are required to address their actions, organizations and individuals often implement changes that reduce the likelihood of negligence recurring.
What is a contingency lawyer?
Langino Law PLLC will handle your lawsuit on a contingency basis.
Contingency lawyers are paid only if they successfully recover money for their client. Unlike hourly attorneys, contingency lawyers do not charge upfront fees. Instead, they advance their time, labor, and often significant case expenses, such as expert witnesses, depositions, and court costs. If the case resolves through settlement or trial, the lawyer receives a percentage of the recovery.
If no recovery is made, contingency lawyers do not charge any fee or seek reimbursement for their time; a key point in Langino Law PLLC’s written contingency fee agreement. This structure allows injured people to pursue justice without the financial risk of paying legal fees out of pocket, while aligning the lawyer’s compensation directly with the client’s success.
Read more: How Are Contingency Lawyers Paid?
What should I do if I think I have a wrongful death case?
Reach out to an experienced wrongful death attorney who can understand your unique situation, review what happened, and explain your legal options. At Langino Law PLLC, when we talk, there’s no pressure — just an honest, compassionate conversation about your case and what we can do to move forward together. Our goal is to help you find clarity, confidence, and the support you deserve during what can be one of the most difficult times of your life.
Here Are Some of Langino Law PLLC's Results in Wrongful Death Cases.
Every case handled by Langino Law PLLC is distinct, with its own set of facts and challenges. While the outcomes highlighted here showcase the dedication and results we have achieved for our clients, please remember that past successes do not ensure similar results in future cases. For more detailed examples of the recoveries Langino Law has obtained in wrongful death claims, please visit our Results page.
Negligent Service
A disabled person was mechanically asphyxiated due to a service/repair issue with his motorized wheelchair preventing him from placing it in reverse.
Vehicle Accident
An elderly man was hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian while crossing the roadway resulting in his death.
Truck Accident
A tractor trailer driver had a medical event causing him to enter oncoming lanes of traffic causing a collisions with decedent's motor vehicle.
Ready to Take Action?
If you or your family has suffered the unthinkable circumstance of losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you don't have to face this challenge alone. Langino Law PLLC, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has successfully resolved many wrongful death claims with the care and compassion they needed.
Call Langino Law PLLC today at 888-254-3521 for a free, no-obligation consultation.