Purnell v. Rockingham Railroad

At common law a civil action could not be maintained against one who had negligently caused the death of another (Craig v. Lumber Co., 189 N. C., 137), but in 1854 the Legislature enacted a statute authorizing suit by the personal representative of any person whose death had been caused by neglect, default, or wrongful act. Laws of N. C., 1854, ch. 39. It was provided in section 3 tbat the jury might give such damages as' they should deem fair and just, having regard to the pecuniary injury resulting from the wrongful death. The substance of this statute was brought forward by the Legislature…