The loss of a loved one can be devastating for the decedent’s family and friends. If a person dies due to the negligent actions of others, the surviving family members may be eligible to seek damages against the responsible party. A compassionate Beaufort personal injury lawyer with Shelly Leeke Law Firm may be able to help your family through these difficult times.
The decedent’s family can submit a wrongful death claim, potentially recovering damages to cover unexpected expenses. Financial compensation can never ease the burden of a lost loved one. However, obtaining a highly experienced Beaufort wrongful death lawyer with our firm may help to bring closure by holding the responsible party accountable for the death of your loved one.
Classification of a Wrongful Death in Beaufort
A wrongful death refers to any fatality that occurs due to one party’s negligent and willful acts against another. Laws surrounding wrongful death cases vary by state. Across the United States, the families of decedents can file wrongful death lawsuits in the hopes of collecting damages from anyone responsible for the loss of their loved one.
Your wrongful death attorney works with those who need guidance in determining if they have a case. In South Carolina, you are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit relating to the death of a loved one. To do so, it is beneficial to have a powerful legal advocate at your side who will learn about your claim and help you submit a request for a fair and reasonable amount of damages.
You can find a top-rated wrongful death lawyer in Beaufort who will help you pursue your claim to the fullest extent. We will take time to understand what happened that led to the loss of your loved one and help you build a legal strategy and execute it with precision and care. The process is complex because you may not have been there or may not know all of the details, but our legal team can help you find that information.
How Damages Work in a Beaufort Wrongful Death Lawsuit
You can request economic and non-economic damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. Economic damages can be awarded based on loss of wages and other quantifiable losses. You can get non-economic damages relating to pain, suffering, and other subjective losses.
Along with economic and non-economic damages, a court can award punitive damages, although it is rare for a court to give punitive damages to a plaintiff. The South Carolina civil courts may award punitive damages to deter an at-fault party from future negligent acts. This may be possible in your case in situations where someone was intentionally hurt and died as a result or in situations of reckless-related car accidents such as those involving intoxication.
A wrongful death attorney in Beaufort can inform you about the different types of damages that may be recovered in your case. We have helped many clients secure large settlements to ease their financial burdens. As such, your dedicated legal advocate at Shelly Leeke Law Firm can explain what can be done to help you get damages that align with your expectations at a free consultation.
You Can Request Any Amount of Damages in a Beaufort Wrongful Death Lawsuit
There is no restriction on economic and non-economic damages in most personal injury lawsuits in South Carolina. In a medical malpractice case, a plaintiff is eligible to receive up to $350,000 in damages from each healthcare provider involved in their case. The plaintiff can get over $1 million in non-economic damages from all healthcare providers found at fault.
Before you file your lawsuit, your wrongful death attorney will help you figure out how much to request in damages. We will need to review the losses you have incurred thus far due to the loss of your loved one. We will also need to account for the long-term financial impact of the death of your loved one.
After your lawsuit is filed, we can work together to build your argument. During our intensive investigation, we can gather evidence and review it with you in detail. Meanwhile, we will keep you up to date about any settlement offers that come your way.
What to Expect if You Receive a Settlement Offer in a Beaufort Wrongful Death Case
If your loved one dies in an accident or other act of negligence, the at-fault party may present you with a settlement offer right away. In this instance, it may be in your best interests not to accept the offer. Instead, consult with a wrongful death law firm who can review the offer with you.
We can provide unbiased feedback about a settlement proposal. There can be times when we may urge our client to reject a settlement proposal since it fails to account for their short- and long-term expenses. Yet, you make the final decision on whether to accept a settlement proposal.
If you accept a settlement offer, we can help you finalize the terms of your agreement. Comparatively, if you reject a settlement proposal, we can keep building your case. If your case goes to trial, we will be well prepared to present a compelling argument.
How a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Beaufort Gets Decided
It can be weeks, months, or years before a wrongful death lawsuit goes to trial, which gives us plenty of time to prepare. In the time before your trial date, we will put together an argument designed to compel a judge or jury to rule in your favor. At the same time, the defendant and their attorney will build their case to contest your legal claim.
When your trial date arrives, we will have the opportunity to present evidence and witness testimony to a judge or jury. The plaintiff will do the same. Finally, a judge or jury weighs both sides of your case and renders its decision.
If a judge or jury determines the defendant is 100% responsible for the wrongful death and the damages you incurred, you will receive the full amount of the compensation you initially requested. When this happens, the defendant is required to pay damages. As soon as the defendant does so, your case is closed, and you can continue to move forward from the death of your loved one.
Having a Wrongful Death Attorney in Beaufort May Help You Throughout This Process
When a person dies as a result of another person’s actions or inactions, the impact on a family can be devastation, anger, and grief, oftentimes to an unbearable level. At this point, it becomes critical that you consider hiring a personal injury law firm right away so that you can get support as you try to manage this situation. Our team is compassionate, caring, and highly skilled at working with clients to achieve the best possible outcome.
Our team can help to get the hard-to-access information. We may be able to obtain the medical records of the truck driver who was intoxicated at the time of the car accident, for example, or gather doctor records and notes that are otherwise inaccessible in a medical malpractice case. Our legal team is adept at finding all of the potentially available evidence available to prove wrongful death on behalf of our clients.
You have a lot to think about and worry about right now with the loss of your family member. Allow our law office to do the work of filing a claim or a lawsuit on behalf of your family member and the estate so that you know what all of your rights to fair compensation are. Every situation is vastly different, but each situation requires a well-designed legal strategy from a professional team with the experience necessary to know all your legal options.
Do Not Wait Any Longer to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Beaufort
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we provide immediate access to a Beaufort wrongful death attorney who is dedicated to our client’s success. We can meet with you, get details about your case, and help you argue your case in court. Learn more about what is next for your case and allow our law firm to work on your behalf when you submit our quick contact form or call us to get started today.