Bluffton Wrongful Death Lawyer

Learn About Your Family’s Legal Rights from Bluffton Wrongful Death Attorney Luke Paulick 

Luke Paulick is an experienced Bluffton wrongful death lawyer who represents grieving families after all types of fatal accidents. Whether you simply have questions about your family’s situation or you are prepared to take legal action, Luke can explain everything you need to know—and he can take legal action on your family’s behalf as warranted. 

We know that taking legal action can seem overwhelming, and we know that the last thing you want to do is find yourself in a fight with the insurance companies. Luke can help you feel confident in your next steps—whatever those next steps might be—and, if you decide to file a claim, he can deal with the insurance companies while you focus on being with your family. 

What Is Considered a Wrongful Death in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, grieving families can file wrongful death claims in a wide range of circumstances. If you have any reason to suspect that an individual, business, or government entity may be responsible for your loved one’s death, it will be well worth talking to a Bluffton wrongful death lawyer about your family’s legal rights. 

Some examples of circumstances in which a person’s death can be deemed “wrongful” in South Carolina include: 

• Fatal Roadway Accidents – Including fatal car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, golf cart, ATV, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents.
• Fatal Boating Accidents – Including fatal collisions between vessels, collisions with docks and fixed objects, capsizes, and drownings. 
• Fatal Premises-Related Accidents – Including fatal falls, electrocutions, drownings at swimming pulls, and other tragic incidents. 
• Fatal Product-Related Accidents – Including fatal accidents involving home appliances, yard equipment, heavy machinery, fireworks, playground equipment, and toys. 
• Deaths in Nursing Homes – Including deaths resulting from negligence, neglect, and abuse by caregivers, administrators, and others. 

From speeding and drunk driving (or drunk boating) to failure to maintain safe premises, numerous issues can lead to tragic accidents that could—and should—have been prevented. In these scenarios, it is critical for family members to ensure that they are making informed decisions about filing a claim related to their loved one’s death. 

Who Files Wrongful Death Claims in South Carolina?

Under South Carolina law, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the victim’s executor or administrator (also commonly referred to as a personal representative). This is the person who is responsible for managing the victim’s final affairs. If your loved one left a will, the will should name his or her executor or administrator. If your loved one did not leave a will, an executor or administrator will need to be appointed in court. Typically, this will be a close family member such as a spouse, parent, or adult child.

Wrongful Death Actions vs. Survival Actions

If you’ve been researching your family’s legal rights online, you may have come across references to both wrongful death actions and survival actions. So, what’s the difference? 

A wrongful death action seeks damages for family members’ financial and non-financial losses resulting from their loved one’s untimely passing. In contrast, a survival action seeks damages for the victim’s losses prior to death. For example, if your loved one survived for a period of time before succumbing to his or her injuries, your family may have a survival action for his or her emergency medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.

How Luke Can Help Your Family 

With well over a decade of experience, Bluffton wrongful death attorney Luke Paulick is a compassionate and committed advocate for grieving families. If you are coping with the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one, here are just some of the ways he can help your family: 

• Explaining Your Family’s Legal Rights – Luke will explain your family’s legal rights during your free consultation, and he will be happy to answer any additional questions that come up as you start moving forward. 
• Explaining What to Expect if You File a Wrongful Death Claim – Luke will also explain what to expect if you file a wrongful death claim, including what to expect with regard to settlement negotiations and the possibility of trial. 
• Calculating the Losses Your Family is Entitled to Recover – Luke will calculate the losses your family is entitled to recover so that you can make an informed decision about whether pursuing legal action is worth it to you. 
• Handling Your Family’s Claim from Start to Finish – If you decide that you want to pursue a wrongful death claim, Luke will handle your family’s claim from start to finish. 
• Helping You Make Informed Decisions Throughout the Process – Throughout the process, Luke will be there to help you make informed decisions with your family’s long-term best interests in mind. 

Contact Us to Speak with Bluffton Wrongful Death Attorney Luke Paulick in Confidence 

If you would like to speak with Bluffton wrongful death lawyer Luke Paulick, we invite you to get in touch. Call 843-379-3285 or contact us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation.