Wrongful death is defined as the death of a person caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct. More than one party can share responsibility. In a commercial truck accident, for example, both the driver and the trucking company may be liable. Responsible parties can include individuals, businesses, employees, manufacturers, third-party contractors, or government agencies.

At Lanier Law Group, we understand how devastating this time is for your family. Our wrongful death attorneys will fight aggressively to recover the full compensation you are owed, covering expenses related to your loved one’s injury, death, and the financial impact their loss has had on your family. You should not have to carry that burden alone.

Call us today at 919-342-1368 to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in North Carolina

Car Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes are among the most frequent causes of wrongful death claims. They happen for countless reasons, and the consequences can be devastating. When a driver’s negligent or reckless behavior causes a fatal crash, the family of the victim may be able to seek compensation for losses including:

• Impaired driving
• Drowsy driving
• Failure to obey traffic laws
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Distracted driving

In some cases, a defective vehicle part may have contributed to the crash. If that is the case, the manufacturer of that part may also share liability.

Medical Malpractice

When a medical professional fails to meet the standard of care owed to a patient and that failure proves fatal, the family may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. Common causes of medical malpractice fatalities include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• Childbirth complications
• Infections
• Anesthesia errors
• Medication mistakes
• Surgical errors

Product Liability

Manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and distributors have a responsibility to make sure the products they put into the marketplace are safe. When they fail to meet that obligation and someone dies as a result, they can be held accountable. The three main categories of product liability in wrongful death cases are:

• Design defects
• Manufacturing defects
• Failure to warn consumers of known dangers

Occupational Accidents

Fatal workplace injuries can happen in any industry, but those in construction and industrial settings face a particularly elevated risk. Occupational wrongful death claims often arise from:

• Slips and falls
• Explosions
• Severe burns
• Hazardous chemical exposure
• Heavy machinery and equipment injuries

Nursing Home Negligence

Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious and growing problem across North Carolina and the rest of the country. Many residents suffer harm that goes unreported because they fear retaliation or are unable to speak up for themselves. Fatal injuries stemming from nursing home negligence frequently involve:

• Physical abuse or neglect
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Medication errors

Defective Medical Devices

Medical devices are meant to improve lives, but when manufacturers conceal known risks or release defective products, the consequences can be fatal. Physicians and patients often have no way of knowing the dangers until harm has already been done. Devices that have been linked to serious injury and death include transvaginal mesh, certain cardiac defibrillators, and defective bone screws, among others.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians have almost no protection when a vehicle strikes them. Whether someone is crossing at a marked crosswalk or walking along the side of a road, the force of a collision with a multi-thousand-pound vehicle can be fatal. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections, and when they fail to do so, they can and should be held responsible.

Premises Liability

Property owners, business operators, and maintenance departments have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. When someone dies because of a dangerous condition that went unaddressed, the family may have a wrongful death claim. Common causes include:

• Slip and falls
• Negligent security
• Poor maintenance
• Fires or explosions
• Exposure to harmful substances
• Malfunctioning elevators or escalators
• Poorly lit stairways, walkways, or parking areas
• Animal attacks or dog bites

Dog Bites

A dog attack can turn fatal under certain circumstances, particularly when the victim is a child, the animal is a dangerous breed, or the injuries lead to a severe infection or fatal lacerations. North Carolina dog owners can be held liable when their animal causes a fatal injury.

Dangerous Drugs

Prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause serious harm when manufacturers fail to disclose known risks or when dangerous substances make their way into commonly used products. Fatal injuries tied to dangerous drugs often involve long-term illness, disease, or cancer resulting from toxic exposure.

Motorcycle Accidents

Most fatal motorcycle crashes are caused by other drivers failing to notice the rider. Common contributing factors include:

• Failure to check blind spots
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Opening a car door into a motorcyclist’s path
• Speeding
• Tailgating

Truck Accidents

When a fully loaded commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. Multiple parties may share liability in a fatal truck accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, third-party maintenance providers, parts manufacturers, and cargo owners. Fatal truck crashes frequently involve driver distraction, overloaded or improperly secured cargo, inadequate maintenance, or undertrained drivers.