Murrells Inlet Wrongful Death Lawyer

Murrells Inlet Wrongful Death Lawyer

The loss of a loved one in an unexpected accident brings not only profound grief but also a search for answers and justice. At Morris Law Firm, we extend our deepest condolences to those struggling with such loss.

Our wrongful death attorneys in Murrells Inlet are dedicated to providing compassionate legal support to help you find closure and accountability. When you work with our team, we will seek justice for your loved one and pursue the compensation you deserve under South Carolina law.

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Why Choose Our Murrells Inlet Wrongful Death Lawyers?

At Morris Law Firm, our commitment to our clients is second to none, especially when handling wrongful death cases. We have a history of securing substantial settlements for our clients, including $725,000 for a wrongful death case. These results reflect our dedication to pursuing justice and fair compensation.

Located at 11054 SC-707, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, near St. James High School, our firm is easily accessible and deeply rooted in the community. Our clients appreciate our local presence, which allows us to provide personalized and empathetic legal services.

Wrongful Death Compensation

Understanding the value of a wrongful death case involves considering several factors, including medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional impact of losing a loved one.

At Morris Law Firm, we look into every aspect of your case to ensure that the compensation sought reflects the true extent of your loss. Our goal is to secure a settlement that addresses not only the financial burdens but also the emotional and psychological trauma of your loss.

Medical Bills and Final Expenses

In wrongful death cases, medical bills and final expenses, such as funeral costs, form a large part of the claim. These expenses can be substantial and add financial stress to the emotional toll of losing a loved one.

At Morris Law Firm, we gather all relevant invoices, receipts, and documentation related to medical treatments and funeral arrangements.

Our team works with medical professionals and funeral service providers to ensure that we account for every cost incurred you incur. By doing so, we establish a clear financial picture of the immediate expenses and use that documentation to get you the compensation you deserve.

Loss of Financial Support

The loss of financial support that a loved one provides can be devastating to your family. To address this, we thoroughly assess the deceased's earnings, including their salary, benefits, and potential future income. This analysis often involves expert witnesses who can project the long-term economic impact of your loss.

We present a detailed, evidence-based calculation of the financial support you have lost, including considerations for inflation and potential career advancements the deceased might have achieved, to ensure a fair compensation package.

Emotional Impact and Loss of Consortium

The emotional impact and loss of companionship, often termed loss of consortium, are part of wrongful death claims. These non-economic damages are more subjective but equally important.

We work closely with family members to document the profound emotional and relational loss suffered. This may include testimonies from family members, close friends, and sometimes mental health professionals. Our aim is to paint a vivid picture of the emotional void left by the deceased, advocating for compensation that acknowledges these profound personal losses.

Loss of Services and Care

The loss of services and care that the deceased provided, such as childcare, household chores, or elderly care, is also compensable. We evaluate the cost of replacing these services, which can be significant, especially over an extended period.

Our approach includes documenting the daily contributions of the deceased and estimating the cost of outsourcing these services, ensuring that your claim addresses this often-overlooked aspect of loss.

Future Earnings and Benefits

Calculating future earnings and benefits the deceased would have provided requires a forward-looking financial analysis. We factor in the deceased's age, career trajectory, benefits, and retirement plans to estimate what they would have earned and contributed over the course of their working life.

Families who depended on the deceased's income for long-term financial stability need this calculation.

Psychological Trauma

The psychological impact on the surviving family members, including grief, depression, and trauma, forms a significant part of a wrongful death claim.

We encourage consultations with mental health professionals to document these effects. This documentation not only helps in understanding the psychological toll but also in quantifying it for compensation purposes.

At Morris Law Firm, our comprehensive approach to wrongful death compensation ensures that every aspect of your loss is thoroughly evaluated and presented. We are committed to securing a settlement that truly reflects the full extent of your losses and helping you and your family find some measure of solace and security in this difficult time.

Where Can Wrongful Death Accidents Happen in Murrells Inlet?

Murrells Inlet is also a place where wrongful death accidents can happen due to the negligence or misconduct of others.

Some of the common locations where wrongful death accidents can occur in Murrells Inlet are:

• Roads and highways. Murrells Inlet has several busy roads and highways, such as Highway 17, Highway 707, and Wachesaw Road, where car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents can happen. These accidents can be the result of speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, reckless driving, or defective vehicles. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there were 1,036 fatal crashes and 1,118 fatalities in the state in 2020.
• Waterways and marinas. Murrells Inlet is home to several waterways and marinas, such as the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, the Waccamaw River, and the Atlantic Ocean, where boating, jet skiing, fishing, and swimming accidents can happen. These accidents can result from operator error, intoxication, equipment failure, or adverse weather conditions. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 4,168 recreational boating accidents and 613 deaths in the nation in 2020.
• Workplaces. Murrells Inlet has various workplaces, such as restaurants, hotels, shops, construction sites, and medical facilities, where workers can suffer fatal injuries or illnesses due to unsafe work environments, lack of training, defective equipment, or exposure to hazardous substances. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,333 fatal work injuries in the country in 2019.
• Nursing homes. Murrells Inlet has several nursing homes, such as Inlet Coastal Resort, NHC Healthcare, and The Lakes at Litchfield, where elderly residents can die due to abuse, neglect, or medical malpractice. These wrongful deaths can be the result of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, inadequate staffing, medication errors, infections, or falls. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, about one in 10 elders experience some form of abuse, and the risk of death is 300 percent higher for abused elders than for those who are not the victims of abuse.

If you have lost a loved one due to a wrongful death accident in Murrells Inlet, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.

Contact our Murrells Inlet wrongful death lawyers as soon as possible to discuss your legal options and protect your rights.

Our wrongful death lawyers can investigate the cause of the accident, identify the liable parties, file a claim or a lawsuit, and negotiate a fair settlement or a verdict.

Our Focus on Murrells Inlet Wrongful Death Cases

Our experience in wrongful death cases covers a wide range of accidents, including:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common causes of wrongful death claims. These tragic incidents often result from negligence or reckless driving, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence. In these cases, the responsible party's failure to adhere to safe driving practices can lead to devastating consequences.

At Morris Law Firm, we investigate car accident cases, gathering evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports to establish liability and pursue rightful compensation for victims' families

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often involve large commercial vehicles and can result in severe or fatal injuries due to the size and weight disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles. Causes may include driver fatigue, improper vehicle maintenance, or overloaded trucks.

Our team is experienced in truck accident claims, including dealing with commercial insurance policies and regulations governing the trucking industry, to ensure that families receive the compensation they need and deserve.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders are particularly vulnerable on the road, and accidents involving motorcycles can lead to life-threatening injuries or death. Factors such as lack of visibility, road hazards, or negligent drivers contribute to these accidents.

We at Morris Law Firm understand the unique aspects of motorcycle accidents and work to highlight the rider's rights and the responsibilities of other drivers to maintain safety on the roads.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are especially tragic and often result from drivers failing to observe proper precautions, such as yielding at crosswalks or adhering to speed limits in pedestrian-heavy areas. These accidents can be catastrophic due to the unprotected nature of pedestrians.

Our firm is committed to representing the rights of pedestrians and their families, ensuring that negligent drivers are held accountable for their actions.

Medical Malpractice

When medical professionals fail in their duty of care, the consequences can be fatal. Wrongful death due to medical malpractice might involve surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or improper treatment.

Our lawyers have the skills to handle these complex cases, working with medical experts to prove negligence and secure just compensation for affected families.

Workplace Accidents

Fatal incidents in the workplace, particularly in high-risk environments like construction sites, are often due to inadequate safety measures, equipment failure, or negligence.

We help families navigate workers' compensation and third-party claims, ensuring that all responsible parties are held accountable and that families receive the support they need following such devastating losses.

At Morris Law Firm, we approach each of these types of wrongful death cases with a combination of legal skill, compassion, and a deep commitment to achieving justice for our clients.

We understand the profound impact these losses have on families and work to ensure they receive the compensation and closure they deserve.

Fighting the Insurance Company After a Murrells Inlet Wrongful Death

Dealing with insurance companies in wrongful death cases involves confronting the different tactics they may use to minimize compensation.

At Morris Law Firm, we are well-versed in these strategies and use effective methods to counter them. Our approach ensures that the true value of your claim is recognized and justly compensated.

Here are some of the tactics we prepare to address:

• Low Initial Offers: Insurance companies often present low initial offers in the hope of settling the claim quickly and for less than its worth. We review these offers, comparing them against a detailed assessment of your losses to ensure fair compensation.
• Disputing Liability: Insurers might dispute liability to reduce their financial obligation. Our team gathers evidence, including accident reports and witness statements, to firmly establish liability and counter these disputes.
• Questioning the Relationship: Insurance companies may question the relationship between the deceased and the claimant to devalue the claim. We provide substantial proof of the relationship and its impact on the claimant's life to solidify the emotional and financial losses incurred.
• Underestimating Future Losses: Insurers often overlook or undervalue future losses, such as lost income and potential support the deceased would have provided. We work with financial experts to project these losses accurately and include them in the compensation package.
• Delaying Tactics: Delaying the claim process is a common strategy to pressure claimants into accepting lower settlements. We actively work to keep the process moving, ensuring timely responses and actions from the insurance companies.
• Denying Claims on Technical Grounds: Sometimes, claims are denied based on technicalities, such as policy exclusions or lapses. We thoroughly review policy terms and challenge any unjust denials based on technical grounds.
• Emotional Stress Exploitation: Insurers may exploit the claimant's emotional state, hoping for a quick settlement. Our team provides the necessary support and guidance, ensuring decisions are made based on careful consideration and legal advice, not emotional vulnerability.
• Challenging the Severity of Damages: The severity of damages, especially non-economic damages like emotional pain, can be challenged by insurers. We compile extensive evidence, including testimonies and expert evaluations, to substantiate the severity and scope of damages.

At Morris Law Firm, our commitment is to fight tirelessly for our clients' rights, ensuring that insurance companies fulfill their obligations and provide fair compensation reflective of the true impact of your loss.

What to Do After a Murrells Inlet Wrongful Death Accident

Following a wrongful death, it's time to take certain steps to strengthen your case. This includes obtaining copies of police reports, medical records, and any other documentation related to the incident. Keeping detailed records of expenses and impacts on your life is also necessary.

Bringing all this information to Morris Law Firm will enable us to build a comprehensive and compelling case on your behalf, ensuring that the insurance company respects your rights and interests. Contact Murrells Inlet personal injury lawyer online or call (843) 466-4444 to set up a free consultation.