Every state has established laws and regulations governing personal injury claims. Consider the following information before filing a personal injury claim.
South Carolina is a “Comparable-Fault State”
In South Carolina you may be partially responsible for your own injuries and still receive compensation. However, you must not hold the majority of responsibility. In other words, the other parties named in your lawsuit must collectively hold greater fault than you in order for you to be awarded damages.
Potential Damages for Personal Injury in South Carolina
South Carolina personal injury claims can lead to payment for financial and non-financial damages. Economic losses may include the costs associated with medical care, household help, property damage expenses, lost wages, and the loss of future earnings. Non-financial losses are more difficult to prove and include pain and suffering
The type and extent of the injuries you’ve suffered will determine which damages will be included in your claim. The amount of compensation you seek will be influenced by the severity of your injuries and the extent of financial losses you’ve experienced. A personal injury attorney familiar with the legal statutes in the state of South Carolina is best suited to advise you in your case, and can help you determine what damages to seek and the amount of compensation to claim in your personal injury lawsuit.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in South Carolina
In a South Carolina personal injury claim, you must file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations. With most personal injury claims, the statue of limitations is three years from the date you suffered injuries. With libel and slander cases however, the statue of limitations is just two years.
It’s important you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after you are injured. It takes time to thoroughly investigate a claim and to collect the necessary documentation to present a successful legal argument. Contacting a South Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible gives your lawyer the time necessary to do his or her job well.
Although most injuries are obvious immediately, some types of personal injuries don’t become apparent until later. You may still be able to file a claim even if you believe the statute of limitations has passed, but, in order to do so, you will need to hire a South Carolina personal injury attorney familiar with handling exceptions to the statute of limitations.