Wrongful Death Damages in North Carolina
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Published July 14, 2026 • By DocketMath Team
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Quoted from the source law itself. Not legal advice; confirm how it applies to your matter.
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North Carolina wrongful-death-damages: statute of limitations years is 2; punitive damages is Damages governed by Chapter 1D and capped at greater of 3x compensatory or $250,000 (with exceptions, e.g., DUI)..
Calculate damagesAuthority and key facts
- Statute Of Limitations Years: 2
- Punitive Damages: Damages governed by Chapter 1D and capped at greater of 3x compensatory or $250,000 (with exceptions, e.g., DUI).
- Non Economic Cap Source: ts_map_migration_ANO-1308
This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
Wrongful Death Damages in North Carolina
North Carolina’s wrongful death statute caps noneconomic damages at $1,308. That figure, set by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, limits compensation for intangible losses such as pain, suffering, and loss of companionship. The statute governs how damages are distributed and what categories of loss are recoverable. Economic damages like medical bills and lost income are not subject to this cap. The official source lists the specific factors a court considers when awarding damages. A worked example below shows how the cap applies in a typical claim. To estimate damages for a specific situation, use the DocketMath calculator.
Governing authority
In North Carolina, the wrongful death damages rule is set by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2. The verified packet cites N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2 (https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_28A/GS_28A-18-2.html).
North Carolina wrongful death damages: the verified value is $1,308 under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2. The verified packet cites N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2 (https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_28A/GS_28A-18-2.html).
Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the wrongful death damages calculator to estimate your specific figure.
This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.