Frequently Asked Questions About SC Personal Injury Lawsuits
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim? What if the driver who hit me is uninsured? Why do I need to hire a personal injury lawyer?
We answer these questions and many more in our collection of frequently asked questions. Unlike many websites that provide brief yes-or-no answers to important legal questions like these, we provide detailed answers to help you get a better idea of your rights, your options, and what you can hope for in the future.
If your questions are not answered here, feel free to connect with us through our website, or call us at 843-488-5360, to speak directly with us about your legal concerns.
- Page 9
-
Do I trust my adjuster will make the best decision for me? If you want to know whether your car accident adjustor will make the best decisions for you, ask him/her if he is going to represent you against his company and look after your interests. Then ask if he will sign a statement you prepare that states the following:
- You are innocent of fault and the insurance company admits their insured caused the wreck.
- He will certify to you each insurance coverage and the policy limits of each coverage before making you an offer.
- He will investigate to make sure there is no other available insurance coverage, including umbrella policies, UIM coverage, and/or PIP or Med Pay coverage.
- He will give you a copy of the at-fault party recorded statement before asking for a statement from you.
- He will give you a copy of all witnesses' statements.
- If you sign a medical release, he will only seek information concerning medical treatment you have received because of this wreck.
- He will tell you how much money they have set in "reserve" to pay your claim.
- He will give you a copy of all "index" and financial information they have on you.
- He will not be talking to my neighbors, co-workers, and friends to try to dig up trash on you.
- He will not have a private investigator follow you around trying to catch you doing something.
- He will pay for your medicals and lost wages as they are being incurred to lesson any stress caused by his insured's negligence.
He won't. His loyalty is with his company, not your health or your livelihood.
Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Attorney Dirk Derrick has worked since 1991 to champion the health and livelihood of victims of car accidents much like you. He specializes in personal injury law that includes auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, workers' compensation, wrongful death, and insurance claims.
He knows that the insurance company works against you, not for you and he will use his knowledge and experience to get you the full value of your case.
Voted Best Attorney in Myrtle Beach by the readers of the Horry Independent and Myrtle Beach Herald, Mr. Derrick works hard for his clients.
Have You Been Injured In A South Carolina Area Car Accident?
If you've been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule your free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
-
What can I do if my family member was killed by a person or a product? In South Carolina, if a person's death was caused by a negligent act, an intentional act, or a defective product, the personal representative of the deceased can pursue both a "wrongful death action" and a "survival action."
To determine if you have a wrongful death claim, you will need an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer.
Has Your Loved One Died To The Negligence Of Others?
If you're loved one has died due someone else's negligence you need to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule a free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
-
Who has the right to bring a "wrongful death claim" and a "survival claim"? The personal representative of the estate has the right to file a wrongful death claim or a survival claim.
If a personal representative has been appointed, the claim process can start. If not, The Derrick Law Firm can help the right person file the necessary documents in Probate Court to get appointed.
Since 1991, SC Personal Injury Lawyer Dirk Derrick has focused on personal injury law including wrongful death claims, car accidents, workers' compensation, and other insurance based claims.
Has Your Loved One Died To The Negligence Of Others?
If you're loved one has died due someone else's negligence you need to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule a free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
-
What is a wrongful death claim? A wrongful death claim is brought for the benefit of certain family members who have been harmed emotionally and/or financially by the passing of a loved one. When someone is killed by the recklessness and negligence of another's actions, a wrongful death claim is typically actionable.
Section 15-51-20 provides that a wrongful death claim is for:
1. The benefit of the wife, or husband, and child or children, of the person whose death shall have been so caused; and if there is not a wife/husband, child/children, then the2. Benefit of the parent or parents; and if there is not a parent, then the
3. Benefit of the heirs.
Damages payable by the wrongful death claim are measured by the loss to the beneficiaries, including:
1. Financial loss
2. Mental shock and suffering
3. Wounded feelings4. Grief and sorrow
5. Loss of society and companionship
Typically, in the event of a wrongful death, you will need an experienced Personal Injury Attorney to help facilitate and settle the claim.
Has Your Loved One Died To The Negligence Of Others?
If you're loved one has died due someone else's negligence you need to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule a free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
-
What is a "Survival Action?" If someone dies an untimely death related to another's actions, a survival action may brought for the benefit of the Estate, and includes any damages that the decedent could have sought, had he or she not died.
Therefore, you need to prove negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct.
The following damages can be obtained in a survival action:
1. Medical bills incurred in the accident;
2. Pain and suffering incurred before death; and
3. Possibly punitive damages if the at-fault party was reckless or acted intentionally.If you lost a loved one due to another's actions, you may have a wrongful death and survival action claim. Contact Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Dirk Derrick for a free consultation. 843-488-5360.
Has Your Loved One Died To The Negligence Of Others?
If you're loved one has died due someone else's negligence you need to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule a free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
-
When will my workers compensation benefits be terminated? If you are hurt on the job, you are entitled to workers' compensation benefits. These benefits should continue until you reach a certain set of circumstances.
Once the doctor releases you and you are able to return to work, with or without restrictions, you should receive two copies of Form 15 with Section II completed within 150 days of notification of the accident. This will indicate that workers' compensation has been stopped and for what reasons.
If the insurance carrier stops your benefits in violation of the law, a hearing will be requested and back pay can be awarded.
Workers' Compensation can be a challenging institution to deal with and you may need a Personal Injury Lawyer to get you the benefits you are entitled to and need in the event you are hurt on the job.
Have You Been Injured On The Job And Need To File A Workers' Compensation Claim?
If you've been hurt at your job you need to speak with an experienced workers' compensation attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule your free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
-
How do I report an on the job injury? If you are hurt on the job, you will need to report the accident and all injuries to your employer immediately. You should also seek medical treatment immediately, if it is needed.
If you neglect to report the injury within 90 days of the accident, you may lose access to any workers' compensation benefits. Although you must report the injury within 90 days, you have up to two years to file a claim for the benefits.
If a worker dies because of work related injuries, the worker's dependents, or parents if there are no dependents, must file a claim within two years of the death to claim workers' comp benefits.
Workers' Compensation can be very confusing and tough to handle on your own. If you find yourself needing help with your benefits, you may need a Personal Injury Attorney to get you the treatment and benefits you need.
Attorney Dirk Derrick has over 29 years of experience in workers' compensation law and will work to get you the full value of your case.
Voted Best Attorney by the readers of the Horry Independent and Myrtle Beach Herald, The Derrick Law Firm will work to get you the full value of your case.
Have You Been Injured On The Job And Need To File A Workers' Compensation Claim?
If you've been hurt at your job you need to speak with an experienced workers' compensation attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule your free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
-
What treatment can I get through Workers' Compensation? If you are hurt at work and file a workers' compensation claim, you are entitled to all necessary medical treatment that is likely to lessen your disability or injury.
Workers' compensation generally pays for surgery, hospitalization, medical supplies, prosthetic devices, and prescriptions.
Keep in mind that in order to receive these benefits you must go to the doctor chosen by your employer or its insurance representative.
Have You Been Injured On The Job And Need To File A Workers' Compensation Claim?
If you've been hurt at your job you need to speak with an experienced workers' compensation attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule your free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
-
How is my workers' compensation paycheck determined? When you have an accident on the job and are unable to work, you are entitled to compensation at the rate of 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly wage.
This amount is based on the four quarters prior to your injury, but no more than the maximum average weekly wage determined each year by the South Carolina Employment Security Commission.
If you were working two or more jobs at the time of accident, those wages may be included as part of the average weekly wage and compensation rate.
If workers' compensation is not paying you while you are unable to work, you may need help from a personal injury lawyer.
Myrtle Beach Workers' Compensation Attorney Dirk Derrick has over 29 years of experience in personal injury law.
Have You Been Injured On The Job And Need To File A Workers' Compensation Claim?
If you've been hurt at your job you need to speak with an experienced workers' compensation attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule your free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
-
Will I get paid for missing time from work because of my injury? If you are hurt on the job and are unable to work there is a seven-day waiting period before benefits can be paid from workers' compensation.
If you are out of work for more than seven days, payments will come from your employer’s insurance representative. If you are out of work for more than 14 days, you will also receive compensation for the first seven days missed.
You can expect payments to be made directly to you and these workers' compensation benefits should continue until the doctor releases you to return to work.
Have You Been Injured On The Job And Need To File A Workers' Compensation Claim?
If you've been hurt at your job you need to speak with an experienced workers' compensation attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Conway, South Carolina office directly at 843.248.7486 to schedule your free consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.