South Carolina Wrongful Death Lawyer
We help those that have been left behind
One minute, everything is fine. One accident later and your life is forever changed. At Schiller Law Firm, we know that losing a loved one is a devastating event. We work with survivors and surviving dependents to help them solve their legal problems. If your loved one was lost due to the negligence of another, contact the Schiller Law Firm for a free consultation with an experienced wrongful death attorney.
Wrongful Death Cases
We handle wrongful death lawsuits that entail
- Fatal car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Premises liability
Death Benefits
There are two types of death benefits available under South Carolina law. The first is a survival action. That benefit goes through the decedent's estate. It includes compensation for:
- The decedent's claim for pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Funeral bills
The second type is the wrongful death benefit. Wrongful death benefits do not go through the estate. It goes to beneficiaries directly. It may involve compensation for:
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of support
- Loss of services
We help many clients by making this simple distinction. Suppose a husband dies, leaving behind a wife and two children. If we treated the amount as a survival action, all compensation would pass to whoever was designated in the will. It would also be subject to estate taxes. As a wrongful death benefit, there is no estate tax, and each immediate family member gets an equal portion of that compensation.
Legal Services
We prepare all necessary documents needed to make both a survival action and a wrongful death claim. In addition to representing our clients in court, we provide probate services to make sure that all initial accounting is correct. We also assist clients who have problems collecting on their life insurance policies.
The sooner we can get started on a wrongful death case, the better. The sooner we begin, the sooner we can obtain the compensation and closure that you need.
