Columbia Wrongful Death Lawyer
In addition to the unbearable emotional anguish that you and your family are going through, there are the unfortunate financial complications that follow in the death of a loved one. These financial realities do not stop at funeral and burial expenses. You must also take into consideration the potential medical expenses, lost lifetime earnings, and property damage of your loved one, in addition to other more difficult-to-assess damages such as pain and suffering and loss of consortium. The Columbia wrongful death lawyers at Simmons Law Firm has been assisting families throughout tragedies within South Carolina for many years, and we are prepared to take on your case to pursue justice for your loved one.
Wrongful Death Claims We Handle
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 173,000 Americans died in 2020 due to unintentional injuries. Many of these are drug overdoses, traffic deaths, fatalities caused by dangerous or defective prescription medication, medical malpractice, and complications caused from slip and fall injuries.
- Car Crashes—Car crashes are a leading cause of death among young adult age groups.
- Truck Crashes—Trucking companies can be held responsible for dangerous driving, defective parts, or falling items/improperly loaded cargo.
- Motorcycle Crashes—Tragically, motorcyclists these days are at constant risk of being hit by distracted drivers.
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Deaths—While auto collision deaths are stagnant or declining, pedestrian and cyclist deaths have risen to 20-year highs in recent years.
- Workplace Accidents—Employers are responsible for workers’ compensation benefits, and may also be liable for a wrongful death claim.
- Premises Accidents—Slip and falls and other premises accidents claim thousands of lives each year, especially among the very young and very old.
- Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect—Nursing home abuse and neglect claims the lives of untold numbers of elderly and disabled people each year. Their loved ones deserve answers.
- Medical Malpractice—Medical errors made by doctors and hospitals may, in fact, be the leading cause of unintentional deaths, as current research suggests.
- Dangerous and Defective Drugs / Medical Devices—While many drugs are life-saving, some medications and devices end up doing the opposite. Pharmaceutical companies can be sued for compensation.
Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim
Under South Carolina Section 15-51-20, the spouse and children can sue on behalf of their deceased loved one’s estate. If the decedent had no spouse or children, the parents are next in line when it comes to filing a wrongful death claim. Lastly, if the decedent had no children or spouses, any heirs can sue on behalf of their estate. Damages can include the following:
- Medical expenses;
- Pain and suffering of the decedent;
- Lost lifetime earnings of decedent;
- Loss of consortium (loss of companionship and parenting figure);
- Emotional distress;
- Property damage;
- Funeral and burial expenses; and
- More.
Call Simmons Law Firm Columbia Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
No one ever wants, or is prepared, to tackle the hard legal matters while they are still grieving the loss of their loved one, which is why it is so vital to hand over such issues to a qualified Columbia wrongful death attorney. The Columbia wrongful death attorneys at Simmons Law Firm are here to help. Call 803-779-4600 today to schedule a free consultation.
