Are you struggling with the recent loss of a family member due to an accident in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina? Don’t hesitate to contact the trusted legal team at Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers at (843) 390-9111 for a free consultation.
Whether you’ve lost a spouse, a child, or a parent, you may have the right to demand compensation. Our experienced North Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyers can offer the skilled legal representation you need.
We advocate for justice, fighting on behalf of injury victims and families whose lives have been turned upside down by catastrophic accidents and acts of violence. Now, we’re ready to help your family navigate the aftermath of a catastrophic loss, too. Contact our personal injury lawyers in North Myrtle Beach to get started.
Why Choose Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers to Help with Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit in North Myrtle Beach, SC?
For over two decades, families in North Myrtle Beach have turned to Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers in times of grief. We’re local attorneys with deep roots in this community, committed to transforming the lives of every family we represent.
Our award-winning North Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyers have over 58 years of combined experience handling important cases like yours. Fighting to advance each client’s best interests, we’ve obtained tens of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts.
You’ve suffered an unimaginable loss, and you can’t trust the insurance company to make things right on its own. You can, however, count on our North Myrtle Beach wrongful death attorneys to do everything within our considerable power to help you get the monetary justice you deserve.
Call our North Myrtle Beach law office to get started with a free case review today.
How Does South Carolina Define Wrongful Death?
South Carolina Code Section 15-51-10 defines wrongful death as the death of a person caused by the neglect, wrongful act, or default of another, where the victim would have been able to bring a claim for damages if they’d survived.
Just because an accident is fatal doesn’t mean that the at-fault party should be allowed to walk away without consequence. By transferring the right to take legal action from the decedent (the victim who has died) to another party, South Carolina’s wrongful death law helps to ensure that justice and accountability can still be achieved.
In South Carolina, the decedent’s personal representative, who is usually the executor of their estate or appointed by a judge, has the power to file a wrongful death claim.
How Much Money Is My Wrongful Death Case Worth?
It depends. Every family’s situation will be different in the wake of a loved one’s sudden and tragic death.
Some factors that might be considered to determine the value of a wrongful death case could include:
- Did your family member support you financially?
- How much did you rely on their financial support, including their wages, business interests, and benefits?
- How close were you and the decedent?
- Did your family member share any of the blame for their fatal accident?
- What was their life expectancy before the accident?
The closer your bond, the more you leaned on them for support, and the more their loss changes your life, the more you can expect to recover in a wrongful death settlement or jury award.
What Damages Can Be Awarded in South Carolina Wrongful Death Cases?
Wrongful death lawsuits are intended to compensate a decedent’s surviving family members, including a spouse, child(ren), parent(s), or other heirs. So, the types of damages that can be awarded are designed to accomplish this.
Unlike some states, South Carolina permits wrongful death cases to request economic damages and non-economic damages, including money for:
- Funeral costs
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and financial support
- Lost value of household services
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship and instruction
- Emotional distress
Punitive damages could also be appropriate in some North Myrtle Beach wrongful death cases. When a wrongful death dispute goes to trial, a Horry County jury can award damages to punish the defendant if there’s clear evidence that their actions were “grossly negligent, wilful, wanton, or reckless.”
Potential Damages Available in a Related Survival Action
Additional damages can be sought to account for the decedent’s losses and suffering through a related survival action. However, a survival action can only be filed if the decedent survived their injuries for some time before passing.
There’s no minimum threshold. As long as your loved one survived their injuries and suffered or incurred financial losses, the executor can pursue compensation on their behalf through a survival action.
A North Myrtle Beach personal injury attorney can help you determine what types of damages you may be able to pursue once they review the facts of your particular case.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney in North Myrtle Beach, SC?
You only pay when our North Myrtle Beach personal injury law firm wins compensation for your wrongful death case.
That’s right—no win, no fees.
Our contingency fee agreement for representation means you can get the legal counsel you deserve without having to stress about the cost. When we win, our attorney’s fees (along with any costs we’ve fronted to pursue your claim) are subtracted from your financial award.
All of the details, including what percentage of your award would go toward our fees, will be clearly outlined in a contingency fee agreement. We’ll answer any questions you may have about the agreement ahead of time.
Contact our law office in North Myrtle Beach to learn more about our legal fees and top-tier representation today.
How Can Contributory Negligence Affect a Wrongful Death Settlement in South Carolina?
South Carolina’s modified comparative fault law applies to most civil personal injury cases, including those related to wrongful death. As a result, a decedent’s shared fault is taken into consideration.
Pursuant to state law, wrongful death damages can generally be awarded if the decedent’s contributory negligence was equal to or less than half. However, those damages are usually reduced proportionately to fault. Once a decedent’s responsibility exceeds half, the family’s right to receive monetary compensation from a negligent party is typically lost.
For example, if your spouse were killed in a fatal car accident in North Myrtle Beach and was assigned 25% of the blame for the wreck, your family’s wrongful death recovery would likely be reduced by 25%. But if their percentage of the blame exceeds 50%, then your family may be unable to recover any compensation.
Don’t be surprised when a negligent motorist, a product’s manufacturer, an insurance company, or another defendant tries to blame your loved one for their fatal wounds. Our team anticipates these tactics and works hard to dispute them at every turn.
What Causes Most Wrongful Deaths in South Carolina?
South Carolina’s Wrongful Death Act defines “wrongful death” rather broadly. As a result, there’s potential for almost any act of violence or negligence to set the stage for a wrongful death claim.
Our North Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyers represent clients in all types of wrongful death matters, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft vehicles
- Bus accidents
- Train accidents
- Boating accidents
- Aviation accidents
- Golf cart accidents
- E-Scooter accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Matters of premises liability
- Assault and other acts of criminal violence
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Product liability
Our extensive experience litigating personal injury and wrongful death cases and in-depth knowledge of the law can offer the advantage you’ll need to make the most of your legal claim. Don’t hesitate to call our law office in North Myrtle Beach to discuss the details of your wrongful death case and discover how our award-winning law firm might be able to help.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in South Carolina?
While there may be some exceptions, a personal representative must typically file a wrongful death lawsuit with a South Carolina court within three years of the date of a person’s death.
If your wrongful death claim is not filed within the timeframe established by the statute of limitations, you might lose the ability to force the financial accountability you need and deserve.
Contact Our North Myrtle Beach Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’ve lost someone dear to you in a tragic accident in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you don’t have to figure out your next steps on your own. Call Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers, and trust our North Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyers to provide the support, guidance, and advice you need to make this transition easier.
We’re award-winning litigators for a reason. Our commitment to our clients is unmatched, as is our unwavering pursuit of justice. We’ll fight for your loss as if it’s our own, working hard to leverage the kind of wrongful death case results you deserve.
There’s no charge for an initial case review. Contact our North Myrtle Beach personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your options.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in North Myrtle Beach, SC
Stanley Personal Injury Lawyers North Myrtle Beach
1016 2nd Ave N, Suite F, 2nd Floor, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582, United States
(843) 390-9111
(843) 983-2670