We Hope You Never Need a North Carolina Crime Victim Lawyer

As North Carolina crime victim attorneys, we see it too often. Being a victim of a crime is a traumatic experience. Victims have to deal with a torrent of emotions. Rage. Pain. Grief. Regret. Confusion. Frustration. Helplessness. Even when you do everything in your power to help the authorities and the district attorney punish the person who wronged you, it’s difficult to cope with the aftermath. And then, there’s the worry.

According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, there were 2,526 crimes involving violence or property damage per 100,000 people in North Carolina in 2022. This was a 1.4%% decrease in the crime rate from the previous year.

How will you pay for the medical bills if the crime injured you or a member of your family? How will you recoup the cost of repairs to property that was damaged? How do you deal financially with other consequences, like having to move away from an abuser, seek counseling, and other unforeseen costs? And what about the lost wages and suffering you endured? How do you reconcile those things?

That’s where the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin comes in. As personal injury attorneys, we understand your situation, and know what steps to take next. That’s just one reason you should consider legal representation.

Civil Litigation vs. Criminal Litigation in North Carolina

Civil litigation in North Carolina takes place between two parties or organizations, where one party has filed suit against the other. Criminal litigation is a case brought by the state against a defendant who allegedly broke the law. Criminal litigation carries the highest possible burden of proof. In either case, the person suing someone or the state prosecuting a defendant must prove its case versus the defendant. The goal of litigation in general is to reach a just outcome.

A very simple way of explaining criminal litigation is as follows: After a crime has been committed, there will be an investigation. If the perpetrator is found, he or she goes through the criminal justice system. Evidence is gathered. Often, a plea deal is struck. If not, the case goes to trial. Case closed. This all takes place in criminal courts. It sounds simpler than it is, but that’s the basic process.

If you’re the victim of a crime, you may be called on as a witness. The authorities and the district attorney may contact you throughout the case, but their job is generally not to get payment for your damages. Their job is to find the culprit, gather evidence, convict, and punish that perpetrator. Getting you compensation for the damage done to you, emotional, physical, or financial, is our job. And we do it through a process called civil litigation.

Suing a Criminal – Civil Justice for Crime Victims in North Carolina

When we bring a civil lawsuit in North Carolina, we try to look into as many avenues as possible to try to get compensation for your losses. For example, if you had a child abused by a daycare worker, we may sue the perpetrator, but we may also investigate the daycare to make sure they followed proper hiring regulations and didn’t put your child at risk by hiring a repeat offender. Or, in the case of a drunk driver, whose car were they driving? Were they drinking at an establishment? If so, why were they allowed to drive away?

We’ll then investigate if these entities or individuals have insurance policies or other assets that could help cover your damages and we’ll pursue maximum compensation for our clients. You may also be able to receive aid from the state of North Carolina via its Crime Victim Compensation program, which is operated by the NC Department of Public Safety.

It’s also important to note that in some cases, such as being hit by a drunk driver, your civil action does not necessarily need to wait until the criminal case is complete.

What Kinds of Losses Could You File a Lawsuit to Get Compensation For in North Carolina?

The following types of losses may be eligible for compensation if they’re caused by the crime committed against you:

• medical expenses
• mental health expenses
• lost wages
• loss of support to dependents
• funeral expenses
• residential property damage, including security doors
• pain and suffering

These are some of the losses you may be eligible for, but do not include all that are possible. Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss what compensation may be right to pursue for your situation.

Types of Crimes That Can Initiate Civil Litigation in North Carolina

If you’re a victim of a crime in North Carolina and suffered any of the losses listed above, you may have a civil case. The following are some criminal acts that often result in damages to the victim:

• sexual assault
• assault and battery
• robbery
• arson
• criminal negligence
• identity theft
• murder/homicide
• child abuse
• domestic violence
• stalking
• sexual molestation
• a drunk-driving crash
• school or campus violence
• nursing home abuse
• financial fraud
• police misconduct
• shootings/stabbings

Experienced North Carolina Crime Victim Lawyers Are Ready to Help You

If you’ve suffered damages as the result of a crime, you can call us 24/7 at 1-866-900-7078 or simply contact us online. It’s one thing to be injured in an accident. It’s another thing entirely to be willfully injured at the hands of another person. If you’ve been hurt, we want to fight for you. Don’t suffer more. Fight back. Together, we will do our best to earn you the compensation you may deserve.

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