If you have lost somebody you love due to the negligence of another individual, business, or entity in South Carolina, you may be able to recover compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. At Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, a common question that we hear is: “How long will it take to settle a wrongful death claim?”
This can be a complicated question to answer, particularly because no two wrongful death cases are exactly the same. There are various factors that go into how long these cases may last.
The statute of limitations
Perhaps the most important thing for family members who have lost a loved one to remember is that there is a time limit attached to these cases. The statute of limitations for a South Carolina wrongful death claim is three years from the date of the deceased person’s death. If the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate fails to file a claim within this timeframe, then the family will not be able to recover any compensation for their loss.
How long will the case last once it has started?
Almost all wrongful death cases in South Carolina are settled before they go to trial. In fact, some cases are settled even before the executor or administrator of the estate has a chance to file a wrongful death case. However, it is also not uncommon for a wrongful death case to take several years to reach a resolution.
South Carolina’s wrongful death cases can become immensely complicated and involve extensive investigation by all parties involved. Your wrongful death lawyer in South Carolina will not want to rush your case unnecessarily. While we understand that you may want this all to be over with, obtaining closure and maximum compensation for the loss of your loved one needs to be done the correct way, which can take time.
Let us help you through this – call for a free consultation
If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person, you can count on the SC wrongful death attorneys at Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers to stand by your side. You can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling us at 803-373-1302.
