What qualifies as wrongful death?

You may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit for the death of a loved one that occurred as a result of another person or business' negligence or carelessness. Common causes of wrongful death include car wrecks, medical malpractice, and dangerous products.

How long can you sue for wrongful death?

In South Carolina, you have 3 years to file a wrongful death claim. However, if the claim is against a governmental defendant (county hospitals, public schools, etc.), the statute of limitations is just 2 years.

Who can sue for wrongful death?

In South Carolina, a personal representative (PR) must be appointed for the estate to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Any recovery made will be distributed to the deceased person's beneficiaries, such as their spouse, children, and/or immediate family members.

What compensation can I get for a wrongful death claim?

You may seek compensation for funeral and burial costs, lost earnings, medical expenses, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and punitive damages in a wrongful death claim.

Columbia and Lexington Wrongful Death Claim Attorney

What is Considered a Wrongful Death in South Carolina?

Under South Carolina law, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to the reckless, negligent, or intentional act of another person or company. Wrongful death suits may arise from different types of incidents, including:

Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Drunk Driving Wrecks
Boating Crashes
Motorcycle Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse & Negligence
Construction Accidents
Defective Products or
Medical Malpractice.

Whether in relation to driving, product manufacturing, or other potential dangers, South Carolina imposes laws and regulations to protect its citizens from harm. Unfortunately, many people and businesses disregard our safety laws, resulting in tragedies that could have been prevented. Our firm is here to help you hold them accountable.

Damages in a Wrongful Death Case

When a fatal accident occurs, the victim’s survivors may file a wrongful death claim even if there were no criminal charges. Survivors are often left with immeasurable grief and countless questions. Although there is no amount of money that can undo the loss of a loved one, a family may seek compensation - the civil system's only measure of justice - for the following damages in a wrongful death case:

Funeral expenses and burial costs
Lost Earnings
Medical expenses
Grief and mental anguish
Loss of companionship; and
Punitive damages (payment made to punish the responsible party for their reckless conduct).

Proving negligence and ensuring that every form of damages is properly valued under South Carolina law can be a difficult process. You need to make sure your case is handled properly to help secure a full and fair settlement. Our personal injury attorneys will not only work hard on your behalf, but also show you the compassion and respect we would want if it was one of our loved ones who passed.

How to Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim in South Carolina

In order to recover damages for your loved one’s death, a personal representative must be appointed for the estate. Personal representative means the same thing as administrator or executor. The probate court will approve of or appoint the personal representative; then the wrongful death case can proceed.

Once we have a personal representative for the estate, we begin collecting medical records and other evidence (exp. photos, police records, coroner's reports). We will also put the negligent party on notice of the wrongful death action and request that they forward our correspondence to their insurance company.

Proving the case often requires speaking with multiple witnesses, utilizing a private investigator, and retaining experts. Insurance companies take wrongful death accidents very seriously and defend them vigorously. For these reasons, it is essential that our legal team gather as much evidence and witness testimony as possible early in the case.

When to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Columbia, SC

After investigating the facts and obtaining all possible evidence we may either send the insurance carrier a "pre-litigation demand package" or file a wrongful death lawsuit. Though filing a lawsuit may lengthen the process, it is often the only way to find out "why" the accident occurred or obtain a proper financial recovery.

Without subpoenas, depositions, and other fact-finding tools that only a lawsuit provides, a family may never know why the negligent party made the dangerous choices it did. For instance, did a company put profits ahead of safety? Did a driver mix alcohol and medication before getting on the highway? Answers to these questions often benefit the legal claim while also providing some level of vindication for families.

Attorney Fees for Wrongful Death Cases

My law firm does not charge grieving families any type of hourly or retainer fee. Instead, we pursue wrongful death cases in Columbia and throughout South Carolina on a contingency fee basis, meaning your family does not pay any attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our South Carolina Wrongful Death Attorneys

If you have questions about a wrongful death accident claim in South Carolina, I want to make sure they are answered. My job as a personal injury lawyer is not simply to seek compensation, but to guide, counsel, and comfort survivors. With offices in Columbia and Myrtle Beach, I handle fatal accident cases across our state because I believe in community safety, accountability, and the value of every human life.

To find out how I can help, call me today or fill out a contact form and someone will reach out to you shortly to schedule a consultation. You may also start a live chat to speak with a member of our team 24/7. Our offices are conveniently located in Columbia and Myrtle Beach, and we have been proudly servicing clients throughout the surrounding areas. Contact us online today or call us at 803-790-2800 (Columbia, SC) / 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach, SC)