Losing someone you love is hard enough. When it happens because of someone else’s mistake or carelessness, it makes everything worse. You’re dealing with grief, anger, and probably money worries all at the same time.

We know that taking legal action won’t bring your loved one back. But getting the right support can help your family get through this and build a more stable future.

At Green Mistretta Law, our approach combines aggressive legal advocacy with compassionate client service. We fight hard for the compensation your family deserves while understanding the emotional toll this process takes.

How Wrongful Death Affects Families

When someone dies suddenly because of another person’s actions, families go through a special kind of grief. It’s different from losing someone to illness because there was no warning, no time to prepare.

You might feel shocked and have trouble believing what happened. Many people get angry at the person who caused the death, at lawyers, at the system, or even at themselves. It’s normal to think “what if I had done something different?” even when the death wasn’t your fault at all.

On top of all these feelings, you’re probably worried about money. Maybe you lost the person who brought home most of the income. Maybe you have medical bills or funeral costs you weren’t expecting. All of this hits you when you’re already trying to deal with losing someone important.

These feelings are normal. Everyone who goes through this experiences some version of anger, sadness, and worry. Knowing that these reactions are expected can help, but it doesn’t make them easier to handle.

Getting the Support You Need

You don’t have to get through this alone. There are both emotional and financial resources available to help your family during this difficult time.

For emotional support, grief counselors and therapists who understand wrongful death can help you work through your feelings. Support groups connect you with other families who have been through similar situations. Your church or religious community can provide comfort and practical help. Don’t forget that your family and friends want to help but might not know how – it’s okay to tell them specifically what you need.

The financial problems are just as real and urgent. Funerals can cost thousands of dollars and usually need to be paid quickly. If your loved one was in the hospital before they died, you might have big medical bills. If they were the main income earner, you might be struggling to pay for basic things like rent and groceries.

The long-term money problems can be even bigger. You’ve lost not just the money your loved one was making now, but all the money they would have earned for the rest of their working life. You might have lost health insurance and other benefits through their job. If you have kids, paying for college might be much harder now.

While emotional support helps you cope, legal action can address the financial losses your family is facing. That’s where an experienced wrongful death attorney becomes your biggest advocate.

How North Carolina Law Protects Families

North Carolina law recognizes that when someone dies because of another person’s negligence, the family suffers real financial harm that deserves compensation. This isn’t about putting a price on your loved one’s life – it’s about making sure your family has the resources to move forward.

You can recover money for the income and benefits your loved one would have provided over their lifetime. This includes not just their current salary, but what they would have earned as their career progressed. You can also get help with medical bills from their final treatment and funeral costs.

North Carolina law allows compensation for the pain your loved one suffered before they died. You can also receive money for losing your loved one’s companionship, guidance, and support – things that are harder to calculate than lost wages but just as important to your family’s well being.

The key is acting quickly. In North Carolina, you usually have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death case. But building a strong case takes time, so you should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after your loss.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Wrongful death cases are complex, and insurance companies know that grieving families are vulnerable. They often try to settle for far less than what your family actually deserves, hoping you’ll accept a quick payment rather than fight for fair compensation.

An experienced wrongful death attorney levels the playing field. They know how to investigate what really happened, gather the evidence needed to prove your case, and calculate the full value of your family’s losses. They handle all the legal work while you focus on taking care of your family.

At Green Mistretta Law, we prepare every case like it’s going to trial from day one. This means we’re ready to fight hard for what your family deserves, whether that’s through negotiations with insurance companies or presenting your case to a jury. Insurance companies know when attorneys are serious about going to trial, and that often leads to better settlement offers.

We also understand that wrongful death cases aren’t just about legal procedures – they’re family crises. We handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing, while keeping you informed about what’s happening with your case.

What to Expect from the Legal Process

Every wrongful death case is different, but there are common steps in the process. 

First, we investigate what happened and gather evidence. This might include accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and input from different types of professionals who can help explain what went wrong.

We then work to establish who was responsible for your loved one’s death and what damages your family has suffered. This includes both the financial losses you can easily calculate and the more personal losses that are harder to put a dollar amount on.

Most wrongful death cases settle before going to trial, but we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. This preparation is what gives us the strength to negotiate fair settlements. When insurance companies know we’re ready to take a case to trial, they’re more likely to offer reasonable compensation.

If your case does go to trial, we present your family’s story to a jury and ask them to hold the responsible party accountable. We’ve successfully represented families in wrongful death cases throughout North Carolina, including significant settlements for families affected by tractor-trailer accidents.

Take the First Step

If you’ve lost someone because of another person’s negligence, don’t wait to get legal help. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better positioned you’ll be to preserve evidence and build a strong case.

Call Green Mistretta Law at (919) 278-7453 to schedule a consultation. We’ll explain your legal options and help you understand what to expect from the process. We help families throughout Wake Forest, Raleigh, and surrounding areas, and we’re committed to fighting for the justice and compensation your family deserves.