Losing your loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct creates devastating grief that no amount of money can fully address. However, pursuing a wrongful death claim can provide your family with financial security, hold responsible parties accountable, and prevent others from suffering similar losses. A Greer wrongful death lawyer at Briggs Law Group stands beside grieving families during their most difficult moments.
We handle every aspect of the legal process so you can grieve, focus on healing, and honor your loved one’s memory. Contact Briggs Law Group today for a free case evaluation with a compassionate Greer wrongful death attorney who will protect your family’s rights and pursue maximum recovery on your behalf.
Trust Briggs Law Group to Secure Your Settlement
When you choose Briggs Law Group, you partner with a firm built on experience, integrity, and the unwavering determination necessary to achieve meaningful results for grieving families. Our proven track record includes millions of dollars recovered for families who lost loved ones due to negligence and wrongful conduct throughout South Carolina.
We stand by your side from the initial consultation through final resolution, advocating aggressively for your rights, whether negotiating with insurers or presenting your case before a jury. Our commitment to personalized service means your family receives dedicated attention from an attorney who genuinely cares about your well-being and works unceasingly to honor your loved one’s memory through accountability.
Wrongful Death in South Carolina
Surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims when negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct causes a person’s death. South Carolina Code § 15-51-10 authorizes wrongful death actions and sets the legal structure for seeking compensation from those responsible. Wrongful death claims can arise from several types of fatal incidents:
- Car accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Truck accidents involving commercial vehicle negligence
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Workplace accidents due to unsafe conditions or equipment failures
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Defective products that malfunction and cause fatal injuries
- Premises liability incidents, such as fatal slip and fall accidents
Different types of wrongful death accidents have unique circumstances that require a thorough investigation to establish liability and identify all responsible parties. Our firm has experience handling wrongful death claims across all these categories and more.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in South Carolina?
South Carolina law strictly defines who may bring a wrongful death action on behalf of a deceased person and their estate. The personal representative of the decedent’s estate must file the lawsuit, though the representative acts on behalf of surviving beneficiaries who will receive any recovery. The following parties may benefit from a wrongful death claim:
- Surviving spouse of the deceased
- Children of the deceased, including adopted children
- Parents of the deceased, if no spouse or children survive
- Heirs at law when no immediate family members exist
The court distributes any recovery among eligible beneficiaries in accordance with South Carolina intestacy laws when no will exists. Our Greer wrongful death lawyer helps families navigate these complex distribution rules and ensures all rightful beneficiaries receive their proper share.
Damages in a Greer Wrongful Death Case
Wrongful death compensation in South Carolina generally falls into two distinct categories designed to address different aspects of the harm caused by your loved one’s death. Pecuniary damages serve as the primary measure of recovery in wrongful death actions, providing fair and just compensation for the financial losses your family suffered as a direct result of the fatal incident. Our firm pursues recovery for the following pecuniary damages:
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost income and future earnings that the decedent would have provided
- Loss of benefits, such as health insurance and retirement contributions
- Value of household services the deceased performed
- Loss of parental guidance and care for minor children
- Loss of companionship, comfort, and consortium
- Mental shock and suffering experienced by survivors
Punitive damages serve a different purpose: punishing wrongdoers and deterring others from engaging in similar conduct. Courts reserve these damages for cases involving malicious behavior or particularly outrageous negligence that shocks the conscience.
South Carolina Code § 15-33-135 requires plaintiffs to prove pecuniary damages before courts will consider awarding punitive damages, meaning your family must establish significant actual losses as a foundation for any punitive recovery.
How Briggs Law Group Proves Negligence in a Wrongful Death Case
To succeed in a wrongful death case, we must show that the defendant’s negligent or wrongful actions directly caused the death of your loved one. Briggs Law Group undertakes in-depth investigations, collects strong evidence, and partners with qualified experts to explain how the defendant violated their duty of care and caused the fatal event. Establishing liability requires proving the following elements:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased
- The defendant breached that duty through action or inaction
- The breach directly caused the fatal incident
- The death resulted in compensable damages to the surviving family members
Under South Carolina law, you only have three years to file for wrongful death claims or lawsuits, generally running from the date of death. Acting promptly preserves critical evidence, allows thorough investigation, and protects your family’s right to pursue compensation before legal deadlines expire.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our Greer Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
If your family lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you need experienced legal representation from an attorney who will fight for accountability and full compensation. Having grown up in the area, our founder, Sam Briggs, is dedicated to fighting for and serving his hometown community. Call Briggs Law Group or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a Greer wrongful death lawyer who understands your pain and will handle your case with the compassion and dedication your family deserves.
We represent wrongful death clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs and owe no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your family. Let us carry the legal burden while you focus on grieving, healing, and moving forward with the financial security your loved one would have wanted you to have.