Wrongful Death
You get honesty and integrity and ethical representation and compassionate representation at the Steinberg Law Firm. - Attorney Malcolm Crosland
Getting Results
$1.45 Million
Fatal Car Accident
Charleston, South Carolina Wrongful Death Attorneys
When a loved one dies unexpectedly, life changes forever for those left behind. Such a great loss is devastating, but it becomes especially difficult when the death was caused by someone else’s negligence and could have been avoided.
For a free case review, call us at 843-720-2800.
Representing Injured People Since 1927
Wrongful Death Lawyers Representing Clients in Charleston and Throughout South Carolina
We know that your world stops when you experience the sudden loss of a loved one.
The death of a loved one also can create a significant financial burden; surviving family members may be left with medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of an income. In these cases, survivors may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. No amount of money will replace a loved one, but it can help make finding a new normal easier.
The wrongful death attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm understand how hard this situation is and are committed to helping grieving families get the compensation and closure they deserve.
What our clients say:
In my most desperate uncertain time of need, The Steinberg Law firm was there reassuring me everything would be okay. They never left me wondering where we stood with our case. They were extremely polite and treated me so kind. The staff and attorneys are amazing. - Susan
Answering Your Questions
Our team of wrongful death attorneys will handle your case with the sensitivity, compassion and skill necessary to help and support you.
How can I be made whole in a wrongful death case?
While no one can replace what has been taken from you, others may be compelled to provide compensation to help you begin to put together the pieces. If someone’s negligence caused the death of a loved one, you might be entitled to seek damages for your loved one’s medical expenses, lost wages, lost future benefits, and funeral costs as well as your emotional distress, loss of a marital relationship, and loss of companionship. You may also be able to recover from the pain and suffering your loved one experienced before their death.
Wrongful Death from Car Accidents
Hold Negligent Parties Accountable
Perhaps the most common type of a wrongful death claim stems from some kind of motor vehicle accident.
Every year around 40,000 people are killed in fatal vehicle accidents in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and more than 30 percent of these accidents involve alcohol. In vehicle accident deaths, compensation might be sought from individual motorists, commercial trucking companies, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, maintenance companies, and vehicle manufacturers, depending on the specifics of the accident.
Free Consultations
After a fatal accident, there are numerous damages for which you may seek compensation.
Our team of wrongful death attorneys will handle your case with the sensitivity, compassion, and skill necessary to help and support you as you begin your healing process while securing compensation from those responsible for your loss. We have the legal knowledge and skill to help you pursue financial compensation from the person responsible for your unnecessary pain and suffering.
Wrongful Death Claims in South Carolina
South Carolina statute of limitations laws allow three years from the date of the death to file a wrongful death claim. This may seem like plenty of time to act, however, the investigation and preparation involved with filing such a claim is a long process. Therefore, it is important for the family of the deceased person to act quickly and contact a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Missing the deadline to file a claim can prevent the family from ever being able to recover damages.
Wrongful Death Claims
South Carolina law allows the executor or administrator of an estate to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving spouse and children of the deceased. If they were not married and had no children, the lawsuit may be filed on behalf of their parents or other heirs. The executor could have been named in the estate plan of the deceased person or appointed by the courts if no estate plan existed or the chosen person declines to serve in this role.
Survival Action
The executor or administrator can also potentially file a survival action in conjunction with a wrongful death claim in South Carolina. This allows the estate to recover damages on behalf of the recently deceased person who suffered as a result of the negligent actions before they died. A survival action may be appropriate when the deceased person lived for a period of time before they ultimately succumbed to injuries or illness caused by the negligence.
Practice Areas
Results
WE HAVE RECOVERED OVER $800 MILLION FOR CLIENTS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, INCLUDING:
$1.45 Million
Fatal Car Accident
Steinberg Law Firm's Legacy from Partner David Pearlman
Wrongful Death Caused by Other Negligence
Fatal accident attorneys serving Charleston, Summerville, and Goose Creek areas
Medical malpractice, for example, results in many wrongful death lawsuits. More than 98,000 people are killed by preventable medical errors annually in the United States, most often from misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis or treatment, surgical error, anesthesia error, birth injuries, medication error, and much more.
Although these are some examples of more common causes of wrongful deaths, any kind of accident or negligent or malicious act that results in the death of another person can become a wrongful death claim. In addition, the deceased person may have lived for a period of days, weeks, months, or even years before ultimately succumbing to whatever caused their death and the survivors may still seek compensation from the responsible party.
Any kind of accident or negligent or malicious act that results in the death of another person can become a wrongful death claim.
When someone dies unexpectedly, the financial fallout is often enormous. Aside from the immediate expenses such as medical bills and funeral costs, families also lose their loved one’s income and future financial support. Money is little consolation when grieving the loss of a loved one. However, it can help during this stressful, emotional time and may provide at least some closure for the surviving family members.
Potential Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
Types of Financial Recovery
A wrongful death lawsuit can help the family recover some of these costs as well as non-economic losses, which a skilled wrongful death attorney can help quantify. Some potential damages that can be recovered include:
• Loss of income and benefits
• Loss of security
• Loss of companionship and love
• Loss of parental guidance
• Loss of household contributions
• Mental anguish
Punitive damages — also known as exemplary damages, are appropriate in cases where the death was caused by negligence or malice. They are ordered to prevent the responsible party from acting similarly in the future.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer in South Carolina
For a free review of your case, call us at 843-720-2800
There is no planning for something as devastating as the death of a loved one. Recovery is a long and complicated process, especially when the cause of death was preventable. The caring professionals of the Steinberg Law Firm understand how difficult this is and has helped many other families facing similar situations recover the compensation they deserve. If you have lost a loved one and another’s negligence or recklessness contributed to their death, you could be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Contact the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 for a free case review.