Columbia, South Carolina Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a loved one because of someone else’s carelessness can leave your family in a financial crisis in the midst of overwhelming grief and shock. A lawsuit may be the last thing you want to think about when you are grieving. Our compassionate Columbia, South Carolina wrongful death lawyers are here to take the burden off of you. What happened to your loved one wasn’t fair, and we are dedicated to getting justice and compensation for your family. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Expertise
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Content written by Samuel Meirowitz
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Quick Links
- Compassionate Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Columbia, South Carolina
- How a Local Columbia Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help You Recover
- Why Meirowitz & Wasserberg Is the Best Choice After Losing a Loved One
- What is Considered a Wrongful Death in South Carolina?
- Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in South Carolina?
- Types of Compensation in a Wrongful Death Case
- How To Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim in South Carolina
- What Is the Time Limit To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in South Carolina?
- Get Support and Guidance From Our Columbia, SC Wrongful Death Lawyers
Compassionate Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Columbia, South Carolina
Our Columbia law office is in the heart of downtown at 1722 Main Street, Suite 200. When you come to our office, you will find friendly, down-to-earth attorneys who care about what you and your entire family are going through. Our Columbia, SC fatal accident lawyers have the resources and knowledge to identify all of the parties responsible for your loved one’s death and hold them accountable. We fearlessly fight multi-million-dollar insurance companies for the benefit of grieving families while providing compassionate one-on-one support.
How a Local Columbia Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help You Recover
When you contact our South Carolina personal injury law firm, we will take on the insurance companies and the responsible parties, so you can focus on healing and finding a path forward. Insurance companies will stop at nothing to save a buck. They will blame your loved one, minimize your loss, or refuse to acknowledge your claim. They think nothing of devaluing your loved one’s life by offering a lowball settlement that doesn’t come close to covering the financial losses, let alone providing comfort for your emotional losses. Here is what we can do for you:
- Investigate the incident and identify all of the responsible parties
- File your insurance claim and deal with the insurance company
- Collect evidence and prepare your case for trial
- Calculate your damages and demand full compensation
- Negotiate a settlement and refuse to accept less than fair compensation
- Present a compelling case to a jury if a trial becomes necessary
- Answer your questions and provide compassionate moral support
We do all of this with no upfront costs to you. We only collect fees if we win your case and successfully collect compensation. If we fail, you owe nothing.
Why Meirowitz & Wasserberg Is the Best Choice After Losing a Loved One
When someone carelessly causes the death of a loved one, you need a caring legal team that has the resources, stamina, and will to fight for justice and compensation for your family. When you have Meirowitz & Wasserberg on your side, you can rest assured that your case is as important to us as it is to you. We think of clients as family, and we are passionate about giving you a voice against the powerful insurance companies that would silence you.
For over 14 years, we have helped grieving families find justice and security through litigation. For us, it is not enough to just get the easy settlement — we are passionate about getting the maximum compensation available. It is the least we can do when you have lost so much.
With over $500 million in verdicts and settlements, we are proven trial lawyers who are willing to do the hard work to get outstanding results. We prepare every case for trial from the beginning. Insurance companies are more likely to offer a maximized settlement in the face of strong evidence, particularly when they must go up against our proven trial lawyers.
What is Considered a Wrongful Death in South Carolina?
A wrongful death in South Carolina occurs when a person’s negligent, reckless, or intentional act causes another person’s death. It is an act that would have allowed the victim to file a personal injury claim if they had survived. These cases often result from incidents such as:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Slip and fall accidents
- Constructions accidents
- Intentional acts, such as murder
A wrongful death lawsuit is a claim for losses a family experiences because of the death. Families can also file a survival claim to recover damages for the losses their loved one could have recovered had they survived. We can help you file both claims as part of our strategy to maximize your family’s recovery.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in South Carolina?
The executor or administrator of the estate must file the wrongful death claim on behalf of the surviving spouse and children. If there is no spouse or child, the parents are entitled to recover the proceeds. If there is no surviving parent, the proceeds must go to the nearest heir. If your loved one did not appoint an executor or administrator, we can help you petition the court to select a representative to file the claim.
Types of Compensation in a Wrongful Death Case
Compensation for wrongful death in South Carolina may include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Economic damages cover the financial costs of the death, while non-economic damages cover the emotional costs. Punitive damages are awarded when you have clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s conduct was reckless, willful, or malicious. Examples of economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death or survival claim are shown below.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Funeral and burial expenses | Mental grief and suffering |
| Your loved one’s probable lifetime income had they survived | Loss of companionship |
| Loss of estate value | Loss of love and affection |
| Loss of inheritance | Loss of parental guidance |
| The value of services your loved one provided, such as housekeeping | Loss of consortium of a spouse |
| Your loved one’s medical expenses | Your loved one’s pain and suffering |
We are often asked what the average award for a wrongful death claim is, but there is no true average. The amount varies based on the individual circumstances of your case.
How To Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim in South Carolina
The first step in filing a wrongful death claim is to gather evidence. Your evidence must show that another party wrongfully caused your loved one’s death, and that your family suffered losses as a result. You may need the following evidence:
- Forensic investigation data
- A police report
- Medical records
- A coroner’s report
- Autopsy results
- Your loved one’s pay stubs
- Financial statements
- Tax returns
- Marriage records
- Testimony about your loved one’s relationship to the survivors
The next step is to file an insurance claim with a written demand for the exact amount you require to be made whole. The insurance company may make a counteroffer, deny your claim, or ignore you.
If the insurance company does anything other than pay your damages in full, the executor or administrator of the estate should file a lawsuit with the Richland County Court of Common Pleas. If you reach a settlement outside of court, you must obtain approval from the probate court, circuit court, or United States District Court, regardless of whether you have already filed a lawsuit.
You don’t have to do any of this yourself. Our dedicated wrongful death lawyers in Columbia can handle the entire legal process for you.
What Is the Time Limit To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in South Carolina?
The South Carolina wrongful death statute of limitations is generally three years after the date of the death. However, every case is unique, so you should always let a knowledgeable wrongful death lawyer in Columbia review your details and determine the deadline for your case. Involving an attorney early also gives your attorney access to the most important evidence before anything happens to it. This can make all the difference in the final result.
Get Support and Guidance From Our Columbia, SC Wrongful Death Lawyers
Our Columbia, South Carolina wrongful death lawyers are dedicated to helping you uncover the truth of what happened to your loved one and maximize your compensation. Our award-winning trial attorneys have successfully handled hundreds of wrongful death lawsuits and recovered millions for our clients. Call our Columbia office at (800) 726-6326, Ext. 123 or contact us online today to start your claim.
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9/11 Toxic Exposure
The lawyers at Meirowitz and Wasserberg are very professional and stay true to their word. I got immediate help that was needed when I got into a severe construction accident that injured both my rotator cuffs. This firm knows and wants the best for you.
Daniel Choi