Columbia Wrongful Death Attorneys

Losing a loved one is always devastating. However, one thing that can make it even more devastating is if the loss occurred because of someone else’s negligent, reckless or illegal conduct. While the law cannot restore your loved one to you, it does offer some recourse. At Koon Cook & Walters, we understand the pain you are going through, and we know that an untimely loss can create a large financial burden on a family. Let our Columbia, South Carolina wrongful death attorneys help you get the compensation you need to move forward and fight for justice in your loved one’s name.

Why Hire Our Columbia Wrongful Death Attorneys

When you need a wrongful death attorney South Carolina families can trust to help shape a favorable outcome for your case, you cannot go wrong with Koon Cook & Walters. We provide:

• More than 60 years of combined experience handling wrongful death and serious injury claims
• Local insight into the community attitudes and experiences that can affect a claim
• Direct attorney involvement from start to finish
• A trial-ready strategy built for court, not just a quick settlement
• Experience handling complex liability issues, including negligence and strict liability claims
• Familiarity with the Richland County Common Pleas Court and local procedures

Our case results, including a verdict for more than $850,000 in a case involving a death caused by a drunk driver, speak for themselves. We focus on results, not volume, so every claim gets our full attention.

Our Attorneys: Experience That Drives Results

Attorney Jamie L. Walters takes a trial-focused approach to wrongful death litigation, shaped by his experiences as a former prosecutor and his work handling serious injury cases across South Carolina. He is known for taking on challenging cases and unique strategies that aim to hold negligent parties accountable, particularly in high-stakes claims involving fatal motor vehicle accidents.

Stephen H. Cook has decades of experience in personal injury litigation, including wrongful death cases that require detailed preparation and a disciplined case strategy. His ability to analyze complex facts and build strong legal arguments strengthens each case from the outset.

John K. Koon, now serving in an of counsel role, provides valuable strategic insight based on a long legal career. Some of his cases have influenced South Carolina law. His insight supports case development at critical stages, particularly in matters that may involve appellate issues or complex legal questions.

How Can A Wrongful Death Occur?

A wrongful death can occur after a:

• Car accident: Car crashes involving trucks, motorcycles, or any other vehicle due to speeding, distracted driving or aggressive driving can wind up being fatal.
• Medical malpractice: Medical errors that can result in death include surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors and other mistakes.
• Nursing home abuse: If physical abuse or neglect go on for too long or is excessive enough, it can have fatal consequences.
• Workplace accidents: Workplace injuries like falls, fractures or burns can result in death if they are severe enough.
• Personal injury: Slips-and-falls, toxic chemical exposure, burns or serious injuries in hazardous areas can be fatal.

These cases can become very complicated. However, no matter what caused your loved one’s passing, the attorneys at Koon Cook & Walters, are here to help. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Who Can Pursue A Wrongful Death Claim In South Carolina?

If you think you have a wrongful death suit on your hands, our office can help you determine your options. You may have the right to file a claim if you are the deceased’s:

• Parent
• Spouse
• Child
• Next of kin

We understand that not all family situations are alike. If you have questions about your eligibility or wish to discuss your options further, you can call our Columbia office at 803-991-0685.

Key Elements To Prove In A Wrongful Death Case In South Carolina

Those elements typically include:

• Duty of care: Establish that the accused party was responsible for the safety of your deceased loved one.
• Breach of duty: Demonstrate that the accused violated their duty of care either by being careless or malicious.
• Causation: Prove that the actions of the accused are directly responsible for your loved one’s death.
• Damages: Show that the death resulted in both quantifiable and nonquantifiable damages.

We can work with you directly to determine who is responsible and how they are responsible, so you can pursue the justice you and your family deserve.

Compensation You Can Recover After A Wrongful Death Lawsuit In Columbia, SC

You can be awarded damages from your wrongful death claim in a number of ways. These include:

Loss Of Current Or Future Income

If your deceased loved one was a significant financial contributor to your household, you may be able to obtain compensation that covers their portion of your rent/mortgage, household bills and other expenses.

Hospital And Burial Costs

If your loved one stayed in the hospital and received services before their passing, loved ones or their estate are often still responsible for paying the medical bills. Additionally, funerals can be particularly expensive, as standard costs for the ceremony are around $9,000. Wrongful death compensation can be used to cover the costs of both.

Loss of Inheritance

If you were expecting an inheritance from your deceased loved one in the future, you can use wrongful death compensation to supplement part of or the full amount of what you might have received.

Pain And Suffering

Chances are, you are suffering a great deal of anguish after the passing of your loved one. Wrongful death compensation can be awarded to ease some of the pain and suffering you experience from this loss. It’s a type of noneconomic damage that families can use to cover the intangible losses they suffer as a result of someone’s negligence.

Mental Suffering

Losing a loved one can be mentally taxing. You may experience mental health issues like anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Wrongful death compensation can be used to help people deal with the mental suffering that can come with losing a loved one. It can cover things like therapy/psychological counseling, emotional distress, loss of companionship and other related issues.

Collective Damages

In wrongful death cases, collective damages can provide financial compensation to anyone who is directly affected by the loss of a loved one and is legally eligible to receive damages.

How Long Do You Have To Pursue A Wrongful Death Claim In South Carolina?

In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is three years from the date of the death. At the same time, there can be exceptions to these limitations. For example, you may only have two years to file a wrongful death claim if it’s against a government entity. For wrongful deaths involving medical malpractice, you can potentially have up to six years to file a claim.

If you have any questions about these limitations and how they may apply to your case, please do not hesitate to reach out.

How Our Columbia Wrongful Death Attorneys Can Help

Losing a loved one can be an emotional, overwhelming and harrowing experience. And while pursuing a wrongful death claim can help you navigate grief both emotionally and financially, the process of initiating a claim can be daunting. That’s why our Columbia wrongful death attorneys commit themselves to guiding you and supporting you through every step. We understand the emotional and legal. A few of the things we can do to assist you include:

• Formally filing the lawsuit: We can handle all the complicated legal paperwork and submit it in a timely and accurate manner.
• Investigating and collecting evidence: We can conduct thorough investigations, gather crucial evidence and build a compelling case to support your claim.
• Providing thorough and robust legal representation: We can be your voice in court by presenting your case with focus, tenacity and a strong motivation to seek the compensation you deserve.
• Negotiating or litigating on your behalf: Whether insurers cooperate with us or not, we are here to negotiate a fair settlement or pursue them for the amount you need through a court trial.
• Pursuing maximum compensation: Insurers may try to offer you a lowball settlement and pay you significantly less than what you deserve. Our goal is to seek the maximum amount in damages you need so that you can grieve and move forward with peace of mind.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be particularly difficult. Let us shoulder some of that burden so that you can find peace and tranquility in this difficult time.

What If The Victim Was Partially At Fault?

South Carolina follows a comparative negligence rule that permits a claim so long as the victim was 50% or less at fault for the accident, although the compensation may be reduced according to their percentage of assigned fault.

Let one of our wrongful death attorneys in Columbia, South Carolina, evaluate the specifics of your case to determine if you have a viable claim.

Seek Justice For The Death Of Your Loved One Today

Every wrongful death case is subject to a statute of limitations. You have a limited window of time between the time of demise and the time you can file a lawsuit. If you don’t adhere to this time limit, your lawsuit could be barred eternally. If you think you have a case, it’s best to get in touch with us immediately. Call us today at 803-991-0685 or visit our contact page to start building your claim today.