Myrtle Beach Wrongful Death Lawyer
Some accident victims are lucky enough to walk away from their experience with only minor scrapes and bruises, or even without any injuries at all. Unfortunately, not everyone is so fortunate. Some injuries, for instance, are so severe that they result in the death of the victim. In these cases, the surviving relatives of the deceased may have the option of filing a personal injury claim on their loved one’s behalf. This is known as a wrongful death claim and filing one tends to not only be legally complex, but also extremely emotional, making it a good idea for claimants to speak with an experienced Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyer before moving on with their claim.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death lawsuit is a type of civil claim that the family members of accident victims can file on their loved one’s behalf if that person passed away as a result of his or her injuries. Under South Carolina law, a death is considered wrongful if it was the result of:
- A wrongful act;
- Neglect;
Almost any accident that a person can be involved in has the potential to cause fatal injuries, qualifying surviving family members to file a civil lawsuit against the at-fault party. Most, however, are the result of:
- Car or truck crashes;
- Pedestrian or bicycle accidents;
- Motorcycle accidents;
- Medical negligence;
- Boat accidents;
- Construction accidents;
- Animal attacks and dog bites; or
- Defective medical devices or other consumer products.
Whatever the cause of the accident, a wrongful death claim can only be filed for the benefit of the deceased’s surviving spouse, child, or if there is no spouse or child, parent or other heirs.
Wrongful Death Deadlines
In South Carolina, the surviving relatives of an accident victim may be entitled to compensation for their loved one’s death. Recovery is, however, only possible if the plaintiffs file a claim before the expiration of the statute of limitations, which, in South Carolina, is three years, not from the date of the date of the accident, but from the date of the person’s death. The only exception to this rule applies in cases where the victim was injured as a result of medical malpractice. In these situations, the limitations period begins to run on the date when the injury was discovered, which could be up to six years after the date of the deceased’s passing.
Call our Dedicated Myrtle Beach Wrongful Death Lawyers Today
Nothing can truly make up for the unexpected death of a loved one. Recovering compensation by filing a wrongful death claim can, however, help the families of accident victims pay off mounting medical debt and other expenses, while they focus on moving on with their lives. Legal matters are the last thing you should have to worry about during a time like this, so if you lost a relative in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, please call 803-799-4700 to speak with one of the skilled and compassionate Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyers at Stanley Law Group about your next steps.
