Experienced Durham Personal Injury Lawyers
Durham NC's Reliable Legal Advocates – We Stand By Your Side
Recovering from an injury means more than just healing physically. It often includes managing rising medical bills, lost income, and ongoing treatment. Our Durham personal injury lawyers are here to take that burden off your shoulders. We provide individualized legal strategies and work tirelessly to help you obtain fair compensation and justice. Each case is unique, and we make it our mission to treat every client with the respect, attention, and empathy they deserve.
At Henson Fuerst, we bring decades of experience to the table and handle a wide variety of injury claims, from auto accidents and workplace injuries to medical negligence and wrongful death. No matter how your injury occurred, if negligence played a role, our legal team will investigate, build your case, and advocate for the outcome you deserve.
Our priority is your peace of mind. From your first consultation to the resolution of your case, we are here to manage the legal side of things so you can focus on your health and recovery. Our team handles all communication, paperwork, negotiations, and litigation, ensuring your rights are fully protected every step of the way.
With a long-standing reputation for success and commitment to justice, our Durham injury attorneys are prepared to fight for you. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence, backed by trusted and proven legal support.
At Henson Fuerst, we bring decades of experience to the table and handle a wide variety of injury claims, from auto accidents and workplace injuries to medical negligence and wrongful death. No matter how your injury occurred, if negligence played a role, our legal team will investigate, build your case, and advocate for the outcome you deserve.
Our priority is your peace of mind. From your first consultation to the resolution of your case, we are here to manage the legal side of things so you can focus on your health and recovery. Our team handles all communication, paperwork, negotiations, and litigation, ensuring your rights are fully protected every step of the way.
With a long-standing reputation for success and commitment to justice, our Durham injury attorneys are prepared to fight for you. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence, backed by trusted and proven legal support.
Case
Results
Results
$9.5 Million
Truck Accident
$7.5 Million
Truck Accident
$3 Million
Car Accident
Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Burn Injury
Wrongful Death
Sexual Abuse
Industrial Accidents
Slip and Fall
Dog Attack
Construction Accidents
Motor Vehicle Accidents
CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Henson Fuerst is Here to Help
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in any type of accident that was not your fault, call Henson Fuerst right away at (919) 781-1107. Our team of experienced Durham North Carolina Personal Injury attorneys is here to help.
Call us now or fill out a free consultation form online to discuss your case with one of our dedicated, compassionate attorneys. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not be held responsible for your medical bills, lost wages pain and suffering.
At Henson Fuerst, we will investigate every detail of your accident at no cost to you. We have the experience necessary to stand up to insurance companies, hospitals, and anyone else that is trying to prevent you from receiving the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries.
At Henson Fuerst, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.
Call us now or fill out a free consultation form online to discuss your case with one of our dedicated, compassionate attorneys. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not be held responsible for your medical bills, lost wages pain and suffering.
At Henson Fuerst, we will investigate every detail of your accident at no cost to you. We have the experience necessary to stand up to insurance companies, hospitals, and anyone else that is trying to prevent you from receiving the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries.
At Henson Fuerst, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.
Real Results: $3.25 Million Settlement
$3.25M Settlement
A commercial truck driver failed to observe DOT safety warnings and collided with our client’s vehicle, which was last in a traffic line caused by an earlier crash. Initially diagnosed with a post-traumatic headache, our client later experienced more serious symptoms and could no longer return to work. We successfully secured a $3.25 million settlement for their pain, suffering, and loss of income.
Type of Compensation Available in North Carolina Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover various forms of compensation. These financial awards are designed to ease the burden that injuries place on your life, physically, emotionally, and financially. In North Carolina, the law allows victims to pursue different categories of damages to help restore their well-being and livelihood. Below are the main types of compensation that may be available in a NC personal injury case:
Medical Costs
One of the most significant components of any injury claim is reimbursement for medical treatment. This includes everything from emergency services and ambulance transportation to hospitalization, surgery, and doctor visits.
In addition to these initial costs, you may also be able to recover expenses for ongoing care, such as physical therapy, prescription medications, and assistive devices like wheelchairs or orthopedic supports. In severe cases, the need for long-term or future medical treatment can also be factored into your claim. The aim is to ensure you're not left to bear the financial impact of care caused by someone else’s actions.
In addition to these initial costs, you may also be able to recover expenses for ongoing care, such as physical therapy, prescription medications, and assistive devices like wheelchairs or orthopedic supports. In severe cases, the need for long-term or future medical treatment can also be factored into your claim. The aim is to ensure you're not left to bear the financial impact of care caused by someone else’s actions.
Loss of Income
If your injury has prevented you from working, temporarily or permanently, you can pursue damages for lost wages. This includes time missed from work due to recovery, surgeries, medical appointments, or hospital stays.
In more serious cases, if your ability to earn a living has been reduced due to a disability or long-term impairment, you may also seek damages for reduced earning capacity. This applies if you’re no longer able to perform your previous job duties or have to take a lower-paying position. Compensation in this area helps you maintain financial stability while focusing on recovery.
In more serious cases, if your ability to earn a living has been reduced due to a disability or long-term impairment, you may also seek damages for reduced earning capacity. This applies if you’re no longer able to perform your previous job duties or have to take a lower-paying position. Compensation in this area helps you maintain financial stability while focusing on recovery.
Physical Pain and Emotional Trauma
Not all harm from an accident is visible. Pain and suffering damages address the physical discomfort and emotional struggles you’ve endured as a result of your injury. These damages are more subjective but no less important than economic ones.
Compensation can include physical pain, limitations on daily activities, emotional issues like anxiety, PTSD, and depression, and the loss of enjoyment in life. If your injuries have kept you from participating in hobbies or spending time with family, this emotional toll can also be accounted for. An experienced attorney can help evaluate these damages based on the specific ways your injury has disrupted your life.
Compensation can include physical pain, limitations on daily activities, emotional issues like anxiety, PTSD, and depression, and the loss of enjoyment in life. If your injuries have kept you from participating in hobbies or spending time with family, this emotional toll can also be accounted for. An experienced attorney can help evaluate these damages based on the specific ways your injury has disrupted your life.
Property Damage
When accidents involve damage to personal belongings, such as vehicles or other valuable property, you may be entitled to reimbursement for repair or replacement costs. This is especially common in motor vehicle collisions, where cars or motorcycles are damaged or totaled.
In addition to vehicles, property damage compensation can include personal items like phones, eyewear, clothing, or other possessions affected during the incident. The goal is to restore or replace the items you lost due to someone else's negligence.
In addition to vehicles, property damage compensation can include personal items like phones, eyewear, clothing, or other possessions affected during the incident. The goal is to restore or replace the items you lost due to someone else's negligence.
Punitive Damages
Unlike other forms of compensation that aim to make the victim “whole” again, punitive damages are awarded in rare cases to penalize the wrongdoer for extreme misconduct. These damages are meant to discourage others from behaving similarly in the future.
Punitive damages are typically only available if the defendant acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct, or deliberate harm. Examples include drunk driving, intentional assault, or conduct showing complete disregard for safety. While not awarded in every case, punitive damages send a strong message and can significantly increase the total value of your claim when applicable.
Punitive damages are typically only available if the defendant acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct, or deliberate harm. Examples include drunk driving, intentional assault, or conduct showing complete disregard for safety. While not awarded in every case, punitive damages send a strong message and can significantly increase the total value of your claim when applicable.
North Carolina’s Deadline for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
In North Carolina, personal injury claims must usually be filed within three years from the date the injury occurred. This legal time limit, known as the statute of limitations, sets the window within which you must take legal action. Missing this deadline could result in your case being dismissed, regardless of how strong it is.
That said, certain situations may alter this time frame. For instance, if the case involves a government entity, there may be shorter notice requirements. In medical malpractice claims, the clock might not start until the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Additional exceptions apply if the injured person is a minor or if the at-fault party leaves the state.
To avoid jeopardizing your claim, it’s critical to act quickly. Filing your case within the statute of limitations helps preserve your right to pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, emotional suffering, and more. An experienced Durham personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case, advise you on applicable deadlines, and make sure everything is filed correctly and on time.
That said, certain situations may alter this time frame. For instance, if the case involves a government entity, there may be shorter notice requirements. In medical malpractice claims, the clock might not start until the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Additional exceptions apply if the injured person is a minor or if the at-fault party leaves the state.
To avoid jeopardizing your claim, it’s critical to act quickly. Filing your case within the statute of limitations helps preserve your right to pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, emotional suffering, and more. An experienced Durham personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case, advise you on applicable deadlines, and make sure everything is filed correctly and on time.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Durham, NC: What You Need to Know
Navigating a personal injury claim while dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be intimidating. From medical issues to emotional stress and financial pressure, the process often feels overwhelming. At Henson Fuerst, we are here to support you every step of the way, offering knowledgeable legal guidance, transparent communication, and strong advocacy. Here's a simplified guide to help you understand how the personal injury claims process works in Durham:
1
Step 1
Schedule a Consultation with Our Legal Team
The first step is setting up a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. In this meeting, we’ll go over the details of your accident, identify who may be responsible, and evaluate how your injuries have impacted your life: physically, emotionally, and financially.
There’s no obligation to move forward, and the consultation is designed to give you a better understanding of your legal rights and options. If your case has merit, we’ll provide a strategy for moving forward, including how we’ll gather evidence and determine liability.
2
Step 2
Investigating the Incident and Evaluating the Impact
Once you’ve decided to pursue a claim, our legal team will begin a comprehensive investigation. This process includes collecting critical documents like police reports, photographs, surveillance footage, medical evaluations, and any other records relevant to your case.
We’ll also speak with witnesses and, if necessary, consult with experts like doctors, accident reconstruction specialists, or vocational experts to accurately assess the cause of the accident and the long-term implications of your injuries. This step is crucial in building a persuasive case and determining the full value of your claim, including both current and future losses.
3
Step 3
Negotiating Fair Compensation
After compiling evidence and reviewing the extent of your damages, our team will draft and send a formal demand letter to the opposing party or their insurance provider. This letter outlines your injuries, the costs you've incurred, and the compensation you’re seeking.
Insurance companies often try to reduce what they pay out, but our attorneys are experienced negotiators who will fight to get a settlement that reflects the full scope of your losses. We handle all communications so you can focus on your recovery. If negotiations don’t lead to a fair outcome, we’ll take your case to the next level.
4
Step 4
Going to Court if Needed
If settlement discussions stall or the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re fully prepared to litigate on your behalf. We’ll file a lawsuit and guide you through the pre-trial process, which includes discovery, depositions, and further evidence gathering.
Our legal team will prepare you thoroughly for trial, organizing expert witnesses, presenting medical evidence, and demonstrating the defendant’s liability. Should your case go before a judge or jury, we will advocate for maximum compensation with determination and precision. Though going to court can be daunting, you'll have a trusted legal team by your side the entire way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The duration of a personal injury case can vary. While some claims are resolved in a matter of months, others (especially those that involve litigation) can take longer, sometimes years. Factors like case complexity, severity of injuries, and willingness to settle all influence the timeline. We’ll keep you informed at every stage and work efficiently toward resolution.
Pain and suffering include both physical discomfort and emotional trauma caused by your injuries. These damages are subjective and based on the intensity and duration of your suffering. Legal professionals use methods such as the “multiplier” approach (multiplying your financial losses by a factor based on injury severity) or “per diem” calculations (assigning a daily rate for your suffering).
In most cases, Henson Fuerst operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. This allows clients to pursue justice without worrying about legal fees during a challenging time.
While it’s possible to file a claim on your own, working with an experienced attorney can significantly increase your chances of receiving full and fair compensation. An attorney can:
- Manage complex paperwork and deadlines
- Negotiate strongly with insurers
- Build a solid case with compelling evidence
- Represent you confidently in court if needed
Personal Injury News
Our Durham personal injury attorneys strive to keep our community educated and informed about the latest trends and events regarding personal injury law and related topics. Browse our most recent blog posts here:
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer in Durham for Free
With over 45 years of experience, the legal team at Henson Fuerst is dedicated to standing up for injury victims across North Carolina. We understand the toll a serious injury can take, and we’re committed to making the legal process as smooth and effective as possible. If you've suffered harm because of someone else’s negligence, don’t navigate this alone. We offer a no-cost, no-pressure consultation to discuss your legal options and explain the next steps.
Let our Durham personal injury attorneys advocate for the justice and compensation you need, whether that means negotiating a substantial settlement or taking your case to court. Your recovery is our priority.
Call now or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We’re here to help 24/7.
Let our Durham personal injury attorneys advocate for the justice and compensation you need, whether that means negotiating a substantial settlement or taking your case to court. Your recovery is our priority.
Call now or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We’re here to help 24/7.