Wrongful Death
No outcome can replace what your family has lost. But financial security, accountability, and answers are within reach — and that's where we step in. Quietly, carefully, and with four decades of experience guiding South Carolina families.
The cases we handle every week
Fatal Auto Accidents
DUI, distracted driving, and reckless commercial drivers cause families devastating losses every year in SC.
Medical Negligence
Misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and medication mistakes that should not have killed your loved one.
Workplace & Construction
Falls, equipment failures, and unsafe job sites — beyond what workers' comp alone provides.
Defective Products
Drugs, vehicles, and consumer products that cause death trigger product-liability claims.
Nursing Home Neglect
Bedsores, falls, dehydration, and supervision failures cost SC families their parents and grandparents.
Boating & Recreational
A holiday outing that ended in tragedy. We understand. We help.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in South Carolina
Under SC law, wrongful death claims are brought by the personal representative (executor) of the deceased's estate — but the recovery goes to the surviving family: the spouse and children first; if none, then the parents; and if none, then the heirs at law.
If no executor has been appointed, that's one of the first things we help arrange. We coordinate with probate counsel so you don't have to navigate two legal worlds at once.
Two claims, often filed together
South Carolina recognizes two related claims after a fatal incident: a wrongful death action (compensating the family for their losses) and a survival action (compensating the estate for the deceased's pain, suffering, and medical bills before death).
Pursuing both maximizes the financial recovery for your family. Many less-experienced lawyers file only the obvious one and leave money on the table. We don't.
How we handle these cases
Wrongful death cases are unlike any other. They demand sensitivity, patience, and discretion — and at the same time, the same hard-edged courtroom skill that any other case requires.
We meet you where you are. You set the pace. We handle every conversation with insurance carriers, every document, every court filing — so you can focus on your family. And we keep our communication clear and direct, never legalese.
Howard Taylor's pro bono work, including representing the families of the Mother Emanuel AME tragedy, reflects the firm's deep commitment to families in their hardest moments.
Compensation we pursue
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Final medical bills
- Lost income and benefits the deceased would have provided
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and care
- Mental anguish suffered by family members
- Punitive damages where conduct was reckless
From the first call to your settlement
- 1Free Consultation
Call us 24/7. We'll listen, answer questions, and tell you honestly if you have a case.
- 2Investigation
We gather evidence, interview witnesses, secure police reports, and consult experts.
- 3Negotiation
We deal directly with the insurance carriers so you don't have to.
- 4Trial-Ready
If they won't pay fairly, we file suit. Forty years in SC courtrooms.
- 5Recovery
You pay nothing unless we win. Then we deliver every dollar you're owed.
Wrongful Death — FAQs
When is the right time to call a lawyer?+
Whenever you're ready. There is no pressure. A first conversation costs nothing and creates no obligation. We can simply walk you through what your options look like.
Will I have to relive the worst day of my life in court?+
Most wrongful death cases settle without a trial. When testimony is needed, we prepare you carefully and shield you from unnecessary contact. Your dignity is part of our case strategy.
How long do these cases take?+
Wrongful death claims typically run 12–24 months. Complex cases — like medical malpractice — can take longer. We never rush a settlement that shortchanges your family.
What if criminal charges are pending?+
Civil and criminal cases run on parallel tracks. We don't have to wait for a criminal verdict to pursue your civil claim, and a criminal acquittal does not bar a civil recovery.
How much does this cost?+
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency — our fee comes out of the recovery, not your savings. If we don't recover, you owe nothing.
We handle the full range of injury cases
Injured? Let's talk — at no cost to you.
One phone call connects you to a Taylor & Taylor attorney. No fee unless we win.