Summerville Wrongful Death Attorneys

When a loved one dies unexpectedly, the shock and grief are hard to deal with. You may have many questions after an unexpected death. What caused the accident? Who was responsible? How are we going to cope with this devastating loss? South Carolina permits surviving family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. Even though this type of claim cannot bring a loved one back, it allows families to move forward and ease the financial burden of their loss.

Wrongful Death Statistics

Many wrongful death lawsuits are the result of auto accident fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 36,560 traffic collision fatalities nationwide in 2018. South Carolina had 1,037 motor vehicle accident deaths that year. One pedestrian was killed every 2.2 days while one motorcyclist died every 3.3 days.

In 2018, unintentional injuries remained among the 10 leading causes of death among Americans, with the rate increasing 2.8 percent from 2017. In 2017, unintentional deaths were the third leading cause of death with 169,936. Among those, the majority were poisoning deaths, followed by motor vehicle traffic fatalities and fatal falls.

Wrongful death accidents can also occur on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that South Carolina had 98 fatal occupational injuries in 2018. Transportation incidents were responsible for almost half of those deaths. The other top two causes were violence and injuries by people or animals, followed by falls, slips and trips.

What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

South Carolina defines a wrongful death as one caused by the “wrongful act, neglect or default” of another. It must be the type of action for which a personal injury claim could be filed if the deceased had lived. Put another way, a wrongful death lawsuit is a personal injury case in which the victim is not alive to file the claim for themselves.

We at the Steinberg Law Firm understand that money is the last thing on your mind as you grieve the loss of your loved one. However, you need to be aware that the death, caused by negligence or carelessness, may provide you with compensation to pay your bills and move forward.

Our compassionate Summerville wrongful death lawyers are here to help you move through the process of a wrongful death claim and assist you in settling your legal concerns in a timely and considerate manner. Be aware that you have only three years from the date of the deceased’s accident to serve a wrongful death lawsuit.

Leading Types of Wrongful Death Accidents

There are many ways that someone may be a victim in an accident that results in a wrongful death in Summerville. Some common types of fatal accidents are:

• Auto accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Nursing home abuse and neglect
• Construction and other workplace accidents
• Dangerous products
• Slip and fall accidents

Damages Available in a Summerville Wrongful Death Claim

Under South Carolina law, a wrongful death action may be brought by or in the name of the executor/administrator on behalf of the deceased’s children and spouse. Should there be no spouse or child, the deceased’s parents may file the wrongful death lawsuit. In the event that there is no surviving individual, the wrongful death action is to benefits heirs.

Damages in a wrongful death lawsuit are typically proportioned out to the spouse, children, parents or heirs based on the portion they would have been entitled to if the deceased had died without a will and recovery was part of the personal assets of the estate. Common types of damages awarded in a wrongful death action may include:

• Medical expenses related to the death
• Lost wages
• Lost benefits
• Property damages
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Pain, suffering and mental anguish of the surviving family
• Loss of deceased’s companionship
• Loss of consortium
• Other financial losses related to the death
• Punitive damages to punish the negligent party

How the Steinberg Law Firm Can Help With Your Wrongful Death Case

If someone you love has been involved in a fatal accident, contact a Summerville wrongful death lawyer at the Steinberg Law Firm right away. You do not need to try and deal with everything on your own.

To obtain fair and equitable compensation for the loss of your loved one you need the assistance of a capable and experienced Summerville wrongful death lawyer. Your attorney will thoroughly assess your case, along with explaining how wrongful death lawsuits differ from personal injury cases. We will help you understand what to expect if you decide to file a claim for compensation.

We are with you every step of the way, from case evaluation to settlement or court. The Steinberg Law Firm has been voted the best law firm in Summerville by readers of Summerville Journal Scene, so you can rest assured your case will be handled by a reliable team of experienced wrongful death lawyers.

Contact the Steinberg Law Firm Today

Our initial consultation is confidential and completely free of charge. You pay nothing to speak to a lawyer about your case. Our Summerville wrongful death attorneys can help you understand the details of your case, your legal rights and how to get the compensation and justice you deserve. To learn how we can help you, call 843-720-2800 or contact us through our online form.