Losing a loved one is painful, and it can leave your family dealing with grief for years to come. That grief may be worsened by the fact that their death was caused by another person’s carelessness. Had that person not been negligent, your loved one may still be alive.
When this happens, you may need help from the lawyers at The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers Your Greenville wrongful death lawyer can guide your family to the compensation and closure you need when you’ve lost a loved one because of negligence.
Who’s Eligible for a Greenville Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims can be difficult to file because you’re not the injured party. Typically, when you’re hurt, you’d file a personal injury claim. But the injured party is deceased, so someone else has to file for them. How do you determine who can sue?
In South Carolina, the wrongful death claim can only be filed by the executor or administrator of the estate. That prevents different family members from filing multiple claims for these losses.
But just because the executor is the only party eligible to sue doesn’t mean you won’t receive compensation. The following family members may be eligible for compensation through a Greenville wrongful death claim:
- Surviving spouse
- Children of the deceased
- Parents, if there is no spouse or child
- Heirs at law of the deceased
Compensation for Surviving Greenville Families
When your family has suffered such a devastating loss, you may have grounds for compensation. This compensation should include both your economic and non-economic damages, or the costs and trauma you suffered because of the fatal accident. But what are these damages worth?
First, you may be eligible for economic damages. These damages include all expenses and financial losses you suffered because of the accident. For Greenville wrongful death claims, that may include things like funeral or burial costs, medical bills, and loss of earnings for your household.
Non-economic damages cover all the intangible suffering you and your family are suffering. For example, you may have emotional trauma, grief, and a loss of companionship because of their passing. These damages can be difficult to calculate because they don’t have a standard dollar amount attached to them. Because of this, you may need to turn to your wrongful death lawyer to determine their value.
In some cases, you may be awarded punitive damages. Rather than compensating you for your suffering, punitive damages punish the wrongdoer and deter future similar actions. Because punitive damages can be tough to get, talk to your wrongful death lawyer about your next steps.
Contact a Greenville Wrongful Death Attorney
A deadly injury to a family member can leave the rest of your family reeling and suffering from the loss. That can make it difficult to focus on anything except your losses. Luckily, you don’t have to act on your own.
The lawyers at The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers are here to help you get compensated when you’ve lost a loved one to negligence. Your Greenville wrongful death lawyer can speak with you during a free consultation, prepare you for the courtroom, and help your family get the compensation you’re due. Give us a call at 803-592-6231 or fill out our online contact form when you’re ready to act on your claim.
