Trusted Charlotte wrongful death lawyers with more than 85 years of combined experience guiding families through difficult times with compassion and proven legal skill
There is nothing more devastating than losing someone you love because of another person’s negligence. In the days and weeks that follow a fatal accident in Charlotte, families are often left with painful questions like, What really happened? Could it have been prevented? How will we manage the financial strain on top of everything else?
A wrongful death claim cannot undo what has happened, but it can provide answers and financial stability during an incredibly difficult time. For many families, pursuing a claim is also about making sure the responsible party is held accountable so that similar tragedies are less likely to happen in the future.
The local Charlotte wrongful death lawyers at Wilder Pantazis Law Group have more than 85 years of combined local legal experience. That depth of experience in Mecklenburg County courts gives us a unique understanding of how serious injury and fatal accident cases are investigated, negotiated, and tried in this community.
If your family has lost a loved one in a Charlotte car accident, truck crash, or work-related incident, we invite you to contact Wilder Pantazis Law Group for a free, confidential consultation.
We’re committed to providing clear guidance and compassionate support to help your family begin to heal and move forward.
Want to discuss your case in person? Visit us at our Charlotte office.
Stories from families we’ve helped
Represent you as if you were a family member
These are some of the most professional and personal people I ever had the opportunity to work with. ALL of them were in my corner. From Lily the receptionist who was ALWAYS pleasant and professional, to Annamarie who made sure you were informed of the steps as, and in my case, before they happened. They kept me updated constantly to answer any questions I may have. I ALWAYS felt like I mattered. They did everything you could ask for. They always returned a call and ALWAYS made time to talk to you. I never felt like I was being rushed or pushed into making a decision. I was given my options to make a decision. They only offered advice but left the decisions up to me. If you need legal representation and feel confident that you have people who will represent you as if you were a family member, I highly recommend Wilder Pantazis.
– Lynn B.
Some of the most helpful and understanding people I have ever met
First and foremost I do wanna thank God for leading me to an amazing team that has helped me so much over the last 3 years. Secondly, thank you so much Beau and Allison. They are some of the most helpful and understanding people I have ever met. They fight for every minute and every dollar that they feel was owed to you. Next I wanna thank Cho so very much. I hope you know how much you have helped me over the few years. You have so much on your plate and yet you still took out time to talk to me when I thought the world was crashing down. Lastly, I wanna thank Aria every time I would call you would help me get to someone that could talk to me. No matter what it was about you would help me find someone. When I felt like my patience was running out and I felt like nothing was gonna get accomplished they were right there. This was very emotional to me and all they did was show me love and compassion. I appreciate everything.
– Heath W.
Compassionate legal advice from North Carolina attorneys who truly care
Every client who comes through our doors is treated like family, and we take pride in understanding your unique story and concerns. We work every day to make our clients’ lives better, to help them recover in all aspects of their lives – financially, emotionally and physically.”
– Attorney Beau Wilder
FAQs about wrongful death claims in Charlotte
What is an example of wrongful death in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, a wrongful death occurs when someone dies because of another person or company’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. In simple terms, if the person who caused the fatal accident could have been sued in a personal injury lawsuit if the victim had survived, the victim’s family may have the right to bring a wrongful death claim.
Some of the most common examples of accidents that lead to wrongful death accidents in Charlotte include:
- Car accidents. Fatal car crashes caused by drunk driving, distracted driving, or reckless driving behavior, such as excessive speeding, may qualify. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel impaired or ignore basic traffic laws, and that decision leads to a loss of life, it can form the basis of a wrongful death case.
- Truck accidents. Because of their size and weight, commercial trucks and delivery vehicles can cause devastating harm, particularly in rear-end collisions and head-on crashes that lead to rollovers. In some cases, liability may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, depending on the circumstances.
- Work-related accidents. Fatalities at work can also give rise to legal claims. When a North Carolina employee is killed on the job, the family is typically eligible for workers’ compensation death benefits. However, independent contractors are not classified as employees under the law. If an independent contractor dies in a work-related incident, their family likely won’t qualify for workers’ compensation and will instead need to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent employer or another responsible third party.
Every case depends on its specific facts, but at its core, wrongful death law focuses on whether someone else’s failure to act responsibly caused a preventable loss of life.
Who can sue for wrongful death in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, a wrongful death lawsuit is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate—not directly by family members. The personal representative is often named in the will. If there is no will, the court appoints someone, usually a spouse or close family member.
Even though the personal representative is the one who files the lawsuit, any money that’s recovered is distributed to the eligible surviving family members.
Importantly, wrongful death compensation is generally not used to pay the deceased person’s regular debts. It can be applied to certain approved expenses, such as funeral costs and limited medical bills related to the final injury. But after those expenses are handled, the remaining funds are distributed to the eligible family members.
If successful, compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit may include:
- The monetary value the decedent provided to surviving family members, including lost net income, services, care, protection, guidance, and companionship
- Medical expenses related to the injuries before death
- Compensation for the decedent’s pain and suffering before death
- Reasonable funeral and burial costs
- Punitive damages in cases involving malicious or especially reckless conduct (e.g., drunk driving)
If you’ve recently lost a loved one and you’re unsure how to go about becoming the personal representative, or you have questions about how the process works, reach out to our local wrongful death lawyers in Charlotte for guidance.
What is the burden of proof for wrongful death?
In a North Carolina wrongful death case, the personal representative of the estate must prove that another person or company is legally responsible for the death.
The standard is called “the greater weight of the evidence,” which simply means it must be more likely than not that the defendant’s actions caused the fatal injury.
To do this, the estate must show 4 basic things:
- The defendant had a duty of care. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely. Employers have a duty to provide a reasonably safe workplace.
- The defendant failed to meet that duty. This could involve speeding, drunk driving, ignoring safety rules, or other careless conduct.
- That failure directly caused the death.
- The death resulted in measurable damages to the surviving family members.
Evidence can include crash reports, medical records, witness statements, expert opinions, and financial information showing the impact of the loss.
Just as important as meeting this burden of proof is filing the claim on time. In North Carolina, most wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within 2 years of the date of death under state law. If that deadline passes, the court will likely dismiss the case, regardless of how strong the evidence may be.
Proud to have helped grieving families in North Carolina get results like these
Trench collapse wrongful death (Construction accident/defect)
Tractor trailer motor vehicle collision, wrongful death of a child
Electrical utility wrongful death
Looking for an experienced wrongful death attorney in Charlotte you can trust?
After losing a loved one, the last thing any family wants is a complicated legal process. Having the right legal team can make the path forward clearer and less stressful.
The attorneys at Wilder Pantazis Law Group bring more than 85 years of combined legal experience serving Charlotte and the surrounding communities. Our deep local roots mean we understand the courts, the legal landscape, and the people who call this city home. Just as importantly, we approach every case with the understanding that our clients are our neighbors.
When your family turns to Wilder Pantazis Law Group, you can expect honest guidance, thoughtful advice, and steady support as you make important decisions. Our firm is committed to handling the legal burden carefully and thoroughly, so your family can focus on healing while pursuing accountability in a way that honors your loved one’s memory.
If you’re considering a wrongful death claim in Charlotte, contact Wilder Pantazis Law Group for a free, confidential consultation to learn more about how we can help.