A family member can die, and the loss can devastate their loved ones. If a family member dies in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and the death occurs due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to sue the at-fault party. In this scenario, you can file a wrongful death claim and seek tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation.
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our compassionate personal injury firm will be by your side to help during this difficult time. To find out more, please reach out to us. Our Goose Creek personal injury lawyer can review your case and help you determine the best course of action.
How a Wrongful Death Is Defined in Goose Creek
A wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to the negligence of another. There are many reasons why wrongful deaths occur in Goose Creek and other cities and towns across the United States.
Car Accidents
If a motorist is negligent, they can cause a car accident in which one or more other motorists or pedestrians are killed. Those who die in a car accident may leave behind family members who are forced to deal with the financial aftermath of the negligent motorist’s actions. These family members can sue the negligent motorist and seek compensation due to the loss of their loved one.
Truck Accidents
A truck driver can lose focus behind the wheel or choose to travel recklessly. In either scenario, the driver puts other motorists and pedestrians in danger and can cause a truck accident. Following a fatal truck accident, the family members of anyone who died due to a negligent driver’s actions can sue the driver, their employer, or both.
Nursing Home Abuse
When a family member enters a nursing home, you may believe the staff is doing everything they can to care for them. However, nursing home abuse is a big problem that often goes unreported and unaddressed. If you believe a family member was abused while living in a nursing home and has passed as a result of a staff member’s abuse or neglect, you can hold them accountable.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm has experience with wrongful death cases in Goose Creek. We can help you address any challenges you face with a wrongful death claim. For more information, please get in touch with our Goose Creek wrongful death attorney today.
When to File a Goose Creek Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In South Carolina, there is a three-year statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim. You have, at most, three years from the date of a family member’s death to seek damages from anyone responsible for it. By partnering with a wrongful death lawyer in Goose Creek, you can make sure your request for damages after your family member’s death is submitted properly.
A wrongful death attorney in Goose Creek leaves no room for mistakes. The attorney assesses your case and helps you request an appropriate amount of damages. They may encourage you to seek compensation for many different financial losses you are dealing with, such as:
- Medical bills that your family member faced before they died
- Your family member’s funeral expenses
- Lost income due to your family member’s death
- Loss of companionship
Your attorney helps you calculate how much damages to request. Once you have this amount, your lawyer will file your lawsuit. They will then work with you to make your wrongful death case as strong as possible.
How to Get the Most Compensation Possible in a Goose Creek Wrongful Death Case
There are several things that you can do to build a successful Goose Creek wrongful death case, such as:
Hire an Experienced Attorney
The best attorney can provide you with extensive legal resources relating to wrongful death claims. They can answer any legal questions you have. Plus, they will do everything in their power to help you prepare and present a compelling argument.
Gathering and Reviewing Evidence
Collect medical records, pay stubs, and other pieces of evidence to support your request for compensation. Any evidence you collect should be relevant to your case. Your attorney can help you evaluate evidence and determine if it can strengthen your argument.
Prepare for Your Trial
Your lawyer may conduct a mock trial leading up to your trial date. This gives you a good idea of what to expect when your trial gets underway. Your attorney will provide you with insights into the trial process so you will know what will happen at each stage of it.
Along with these things, it is important to be open to negotiations with the defendant in your case. If you have a strong case, the defendant may be willing to settle before you have to go to trial. This may lead to a settlement that lines up with your best interests.
How to Approach a Settlement Offer in a Goose Creek Wrongful Death Case
If you receive a settlement offer in your wrongful death case, it helps to evaluate the proposal with your attorney. You may believe a settlement offer is fair. Yet, when you review the offer with your attorney, you may start to have second thoughts about it.
Your wrongful death lawyer in Goose Creek is committed to helping you make the best possible legal decisions. If your attorney believes a settlement offer is less than what you deserve, they will let you know why they feel this way. You then have the option to approve, decline, or counter the proposal.
Ultimately, you should never accept a wrongful death settlement offer unless you feel good about it. If you do not believe a settlement proposal provides you with a sufficient amount of compensation, you should have no qualms about rejecting it. When you decline the offer, your attorney notifies the defendant’s lawyer about your decision, and you continue to move forward with your litigation.
Do Not Wait Any Longer to Request Damages in a Goose Creek Wrongful Death Case
The team at the Shelly Leeke Law Firm can take a look at your Goose Creek wrongful death claim. To get started, please contact us today.
