Bluffton Wrongful Death Attorneys
Compassionate and Experienced Representation
Nothing is worse than losing your loved one to an avoidable accident. When you suffer an unimaginable loss as a result of another party’s negligence, you deserve to be fairly compensated.
Our Bluffton wrongful death lawyers at Horton & Associates, LLC can help hold negligent parties accountable and recover damages that will help ease the burden of your loss. We are extremely familiar with how wrongful death lawsuits are adjudicated in South Carolina and are compassionate to what is at stake. Our team will do everything possible to get you and your family the compensation that you need and deserve.
Schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about how we can assist you in this difficult moment. Call (843) 420-1344 or contact us online to get started.
What Counts as Wrongful Death in South Carolina?
The state of South Carolina defines wrongful death as any death directly resulting from the negligence of another party. Loss of life does not have to be immediate to count as wrongful death. If someone passes away due to injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, it likely qualifies as wrongful death. For example, if someone suffers traumatic injuries in a car accident but does not pass away until a week later, the negligent motorist can still likely be sued for wrongful death.
Common examples of situations that lead to wrongful death include:
- Catastrophic car accidents
- Severe slip and fall incidents
- Aggressive dog attacks
- Industrial accidents
- Medical malpractice
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in South Carolina?
Not just anyone can file a wrongful death personal injury lawsuit, even if they are an immediate loved one of the deceased. Only the personal representative, who serves as the administrator or executor of the deceased’s estate, can pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased.
If the deceased had an estate plan, they will most likely have named a personal representative in their will. Many choose a close relative or a legal representative to shoulder this responsibility. Should there be no will, or if the named executor or administrator is not available, a court will appoint a personal representative to manage the deceased’s estate.
What Types of Compensation Are Available in a South Carolina Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
It is important to understand that only certain relatives are entitled to compensation as part of a wrongful death lawsuit. Beneficiaries typically include the deceased’s spouse, children, and/or parents. Should there be no surviving spouse, children, or parents, the deceased’s heirs are entitled to any recovered compensation.
Our Bluffton wrongful death attorneys can help you recover the following types of compensation:
- Medical costs. A wrongful death lawsuit can help cover any medical expenses associated with the care of the deceased, including hospitalizations, attempted surgeries, and hospice care.
- Funeral and burial costs. Wrongful death claims can typically reimburse you for all expenses associated with funeral and burial services.
- Loss of emotional support, love, and/or companionship. Immediate relatives can be compensated for the permanent loss of their parent, spouse, fiancé, or partner.
- Emotional suffering. Loved ones can separately be awarded compensation for ongoing emotional anguish and trauma that they experience as a result of the loss.
- Loss of financial support. If the deceased party’s income supported one or more loved ones, awards in a wrongful death lawsuit can include compensation for lost and future wages.
Our team at Horton & Associates, LLC is committed to helping you and your family in this unthinkably challenging moment. We will work to secure maximum compensation and do everything possible to make this process as efficient and painless as possible.
Put over 25 years of combined legal experience on your side. Contact us online or call (843) 420-1344 to start exploring your legal options.