South Carolina is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Like many popular cities, however, our state has a major personal injury problem. Did you know that, in South Carolina, the rate of personal injury cases is 30.21 per 100,000 residents, which is 217% higher than the national average of 9.53?
In fact, personal injury cases account for 36% of the state's entire civil caseload, which is 210% more than the national average proportion. That's the third-highest proportion of personal injury cases in the country, with the average being 11.65% in the United States.
If you've suffered an injury due to someone else's fault, it's safe to say that you're not alone. Like others in your situation, you may be enduring a long, painful recovery process. Unfortunately, recovery is just one of the many concerns you've got to worry about. While you're healing, you're probably also thinking about questions like:
At Bostic Law Group, P.A., we understand the stress and frustration you may be experiencing. Our personal injury attorneys have been helping clients since 2000 by utilizing their extensive experience and knowledge of state and federal personal injury laws to provide much-needed guidance when you need it most. During this difficult time, however, it's critical that you contact a personal injury lawyer in Sullivan's Island as soon as possible to start the process of pursuing compensation.
If you've been involved in an accident that left you injured or incapacitated, dealing with legal matters and lawyers is the last thing you want to do. However, having a personal injury lawyer to handle the legal process while you recover can alleviate some of the stress in your life. The legal system in South Carolina can be complicated - especially when it comes to personal injury cases. Fortunately, hiring a personal injury attorney from Bostic Law can relieve the burden of managing your own case. Perhaps more importantly, working with a seasoned personal injury firm can help you get the compensation you need to survive and provide.
As your Sullivan's Island accident attorney, our firm will guide you through your rights, the compensation you may be entitled to, and how to pursue it through a customized legal strategy. As the process progresses, our team will keep in touch with you to answer your queries, provide helpful advice when you have concerns, or simply be a friendly professional when you need to talk about your case.
Our attorneys specialize in a wide range of personal injury accidents and cases, including the following:
We provide aggressive legal representation to help you win the compensation you deserve while also offering compassion as you deal with your injuries and other legal matters. Throughout the process, we will act as your advocates and remain committed to providing you with honest and responsive service. And that, in a nutshell, is the Bostic Law difference.
Personal injury cases in South Carolina can happen from a number of different accidents, from car wrecks and wrongful death situations to nursing home negligence and workers' compensation issues. The sheer number of different personal injury cases makes understanding this niche of law particularly exhaustive - especially in The Palmetto State. But that doesn't change the fact that you should be educated on the topic if you have been injured due to no fault of your own.
To help you establish a solid foundation of knowledge on the subject, keep reading this article, which covers some of the laws governing personal injury cases in South Carolina and the steps you can take to protect your rights.
If the other party in your case cannot be proven to have been negligent, careless, reckless, or willful in some way, South Carolina law does not allow you to receive compensation. Negligence can be easily demonstrated at times, such as when a doctor forgets to remove a surgical tool from your body or when a texting driver hits someone from behind.
Liability can be disputed in other cases, such as when the other driver claims that the person swerved into their lane during a crash, or when a product manufacturer argues that an injury occurred due to improper use. In such cases, a personal injury lawyer can assist in identifying independent witnesses and experts who can establish that someone else is responsible for your injuries
Once an attorney in your case shows that the other party is liable for your injuries, they must then prove that their negligence is behind those injuries. As an example, suppose you have a previous history of back pain, and a short time later, you get in a rear-end collision. In such a situation, an insurance company may contend that your preexisting condition - and not the collision - is the reason behind your current back pain.
To counter their argument, we may require your doctor's testimony to verify that the accident aggravated your back pain, leading to medical attention. Additionally, we may ask your friends and family to describe any changes in your physical activity after the crash to further establish the difference in your condition and prove that it was caused by the accident.
If you have been unable to work for a period of time due to an accident, or if your injuries will affect your future earning potential, you are entitled to compensation for lost income. This includes both the wages you have already lost and the amount you will lose over your lifetime as a result of someone else's negligence. It is important that insurance companies do not underestimate or ignore these damages when negotiating a settlement.
It's critically important that you understand every aspect of your personal injury case before you settle or accept an insurance company's offer. Once you sign on the dotted line and approve a release, you won't qualify for further payments, even if you need more medical attention. That's why it's so important to work with a personal injury law firm like Bostic Law.
We'll evaluate your case for free to help you better understand the challenges ahead. When the insurance companies try to squirm out of covering your injuries, we'll fight to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
Now that you have the information above to help fortify your foundation of knowledge, let's take a look at some of our personal injury specialties at Bostic Law Group, P.A.
According to state records, out of the 3.9 million licensed motorists in South Carolina, close to 219 thousand were involved in auto accidents in 2019. If you were to account for those not licensed in the state, you would find that 1 in 20 drivers got in an auto wreck - about 5.6% of all motorists. Those statistics are staggering, and they seem to be getting worse.
Fortunately, in South Carolina, the law says that personal injury victims are entitled to compensation that covers the full extent of their injuries. Why? Because the purpose of auto injury compensation is to help the victim return to the life they had before their accident. Of course, in reality, that's easier said than done. Truly recovering from an auto accident - both physically and mentally - is quite rare.
The unfortunate truth is that it's not possible for personal injury laws in South Carolina to reverse or even account for the trials and tribulations you face due to auto accident injuries. But there's light at the end of the tunnel.
By hiring a personal injury lawyer in Sullivan's Island, SC, you can receive financial compensation that equals those damages. How much money can you get? Every personal injury case is different. In general, however, personal injury victims are often compensated for needs and expenses such as:
Whether you or one of your loved ones is injured because of an auto accident, contact Bostic Law Group today to speak with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. The quicker you call, the faster we can dig into your case and begin fighting for your right to compensation.
At Bostic Law, one of the most common questions we receive is what auto accident victims should do on the scene after they've been in a South Carolina car wreck. Being involved in an auto accident is harrowing and stressful, but it's crucial for you to remain as calm as possible in the immediate aftermath. Once you collect yourself, it's time to focus on a few very important steps that can affect whether or not you obtain reasonable compensation for any injuries you sustain.
If possible, have every car involved in your car accident move to a safe space away from traffic. Common options include moving to the shoulder of the highway or road or to a safe parking lot.
Once you move out of traffic, turn on your hazard lights to make your vehicle more noticeable. This helps prevent you from being hit by other cars that are passing you.
If anyone has been injured in the car wreck, make sure you call medical services. If you aren't sure if you or anyone else is hurt, it's always best to err on the side of safety and call an ambulance anyway.
Regardless of how serious your car wreck is, you should contact the police. Calling law enforcement helps ensure that a police report is written and recorded. Make sure to take this step even if you believe that the officer on the scene attributed blame to the wrong motorist.
Once you have called the cops, it's time to collect information. Try to collect the following:
If you've been involved in a car accident in South Carolina and need help in seeking a fair recovery from your insurance company, The Bostic Law Group, P.A., is here for you. We specialize in personal injury and auto accident cases in South Carolina. When you hire a personal injury attorney in Sullivan's Island, SC, from Bostic Law, you can rest easy knowing you're in seasoned, capable hands.
Contact our office immediately for a legal consultation if you have any questions about your case. We take pride in serving our community and want to ensure that you receive the assistance you need to obtain a full, fair recovery after your auto accident.
Getting injured on the job isn't just painful - it can be a source of stress, anxiety, and mental anguish too. Nobody wants to feel like they can't put food on the table because they can't go to work. Sadly, in South Carolina, 30,300 workplace injuries and illnesses were reported.
Employees who are injured at work are generally eligible for benefits under state and federal workers' compensation programs. South Carolina's workers' compensation program provides compensation for medical expenses related to the injury and disability benefits if necessary. Additionally, in the event that an employee is unable to return to work immediately after an accident, they can receive a portion of their regular wages as they recover.
But getting the workers' compensation you rightly deserve isn't always easy. That's why it's so important to have a personal injury lawyer by your side.
While South Carolina's workers' compensation program seems great when you're hurt at work, recovering those benefits can be difficult. That's especially true if you're trying to recover and heal from your injuries at the same time. A personal injury attorney can help accomplish that task for you, even when you're facing tough scenarios such as:
At Bostic Law Group, P.A., our workers' compensation lawyers in Sullivan's Island understand the significance of workers' compensation benefits for you, your family, and your financial stability. We strive to provide you with the detailed guidance and assistance required to file a successful claim or appeal a denied one.
With more than 25 years of experience in handling worker's compensation cases, we're ready and willing to answer your questions and help you get the benefits you need.
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a human can endure. Their loss leaves what seems to be a giant hole that can never truly be filled. To make matters worse, grief is often compounded by confusion and anger when you learn that your loved one died because of an accident caused by negligence or carelessness. At Bostic Law Group, P.A., our attorneys understand the distress you feel after losing a loved one in an accident.
On both a human and professional level, we believe that you and your family shouldn't suffer alone. That's why, during this trying time, we're here to provide reliable help and healing when you need it most.
Losing a loved one can never be compensated for with money. However, it can be helpful to seek compensation through a wrongful death suit to avoid financial difficulties in the future. Pursuing compensation can enable your family to be in a better position to focus on healing emotionally.
According to laws in South Carolina and the United States, you might be eligible to pursue compensation for your family's losses. Some of the most common types of wrongful death compensation include:
By holding the negligent party accountable for their actions, you may also be able to prevent another family from enduring the same heartache yours has experienced. Whether you're the deceased's child, spouse, parent, or heir, contact our wrongful death law firm today. Together, we'll take the first steps toward a better tomorrow.
Getting injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence can be a scary and painful experience. Dealing with legal matters during recovery can be overwhelming, but a great personal injury lawyer in Sullivan's Island, SC, can help alleviate your worries and allow you to focus on healing. Our Sullivan's Island lawyers are dedicated to helping injured individuals recover quickly by providing excellent legal representation and attentive client services as you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering.
If you're looking for a law firm you can trust, contact our office today for a legal consultation.
News ReleaseCharleston Area National Park Sites Close Due to Threat of Hurricane Helene Subscribe | What is RSS News Release Date: September 26, 2024Contact: ...
Subscribe | What is RSS |
News Release Date: September 26, 2024
Contact: Brett Spaulding, (843) 883-3123
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, SC – On September 27, 2024, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site will temporarily close due to the threat of Hurricane Helene for the safety of visitors and staff. All concession-operated ferry trips to Fort Sumter have been suspended and no special park use permits will be issued until further notice.
All closures will remain in place until severe weather passes, and the National Park Service conducts post-storm assessments to determine that employee and visitor facilities are safe. Status of the parks will be posted as an alert on the park’s websites.
If the storm track changes, the parks may issue a new advisory with updated status, including any lifting of closures. Please check “Alerts” on the park website for current information. The NPS Hurricane and Severe Weather Response has updates for all National Park Service sites.
For more information about Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, visit www.nps.gov/fosu and www.nps.gov/chpi or follow the park on Facebook.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Dear Island Neighbors,I hope you’re enjoying the current relief from the summer heat and looking forward to more pleasant temperatures, crisp fall sunlight, and the golden radiance of our Spartina marshes when that light hits them.Preferably without any hurri**nes.Now, let’s get down to business—there’s much to cover this month.Stormwater Management UpdatesWe have numerous projects underway as part of our long-term efforts to better manage stormwater on the island. Y...
Dear Island Neighbors,
I hope you’re enjoying the current relief from the summer heat and looking forward to more pleasant temperatures, crisp fall sunlight, and the golden radiance of our Spartina marshes when that light hits them.
Preferably without any hurri**nes.
Now, let’s get down to business—there’s much to cover this month.
Stormwater Management Updates
We have numerous projects underway as part of our long-term efforts to better manage stormwater on the island. You can learn about them at an open house before our regular Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The open house will be held from 5 p.m. until the Council meeting at 6 p.m. Please come out to learn about these important projects, including the island’s master plan for stormwater management.
Stith Park Master Plan Progress
As you’ve heard from various town communications, including this column, we’ve been working for some time to produce a master plan to guide the future development of our beloved J. Marshall Stith Park. After a competitive bidding process, we awarded the contract for this important project to a team from Thomas & Hutton.
Three design charrettes (public brainstorming sessions) were held at Town Hall. Thomas & Hutton condensed the public input and developed the master plan draft, which is currently being reviewed by the Recreation Committee and Town Council. During the three meetings, T&H discarded some ideas that weren’t popular with attendees and expanded on those that were well received.
In the coming weeks, T&H will conduct an additional survey via the town’s website to gather more opinions and thoughts about the master plan for those unable to attend the design charrettes.
On Nov. 19, Town Council will host an open house from 5-6 p.m., followed by a presentation of the final master plan during the regular Council meeting at 6 p.m. Please plan to attend.
Park Plan: What? A Swimming Pool?
The rumor mill has been busy with misleading information about one aspect of our efforts to enhance our park and make it even more welcoming and valuable for the community. The issue: our inclusion of a POSSIBLE community swimming pool in the list of POSSIBILITIES for the park.
Contrary to various communications you may have received, this was not a nefarious effort to slip something past the public. Based on the number of people who previously expressed a desire for a community pool—either in suggesting we purchase the Sand Dunes Club property or in arguing for the idea of a private club there, we thought it appropriate to ask our park consultants, while they were polishing up the plan for the park, to indicate where a pool might be located, were the Town to decide in the future to consider a pool.
That was it. They offered a few POTENTIAL locations in their last presentation. To be clear, this is not some scheme that was blocked, just an idea that was put out there and found wanting of support.
Kind of like what you might want your local government to do: Hear ideas and suggestions from residents, put them out there for discussion, and use the feedback to determine town decisions.
Come out to the aforementioned Open House on November 19 to offer your input on this and many more important aspects of the possible park improvements.
New Beach Fire Regulations
A number of months ago, after discussion in several meetings, Council voted to change the regulations concerning fires on the beach. This was in response to concerns from our public safety folks about the numbers of fires on the beach and the difficulties they posed for managing the safety aspects of those fires (spread of fires, remains left behind, etc.). There was also a recognition that nearly all coastal communities in South Carolina had actually banned beach fires.
We did not want to go anywhere near that far but wanted to address the safety and enforcement issues brought to our attention. We asked our staff folks to draw up some reasonable proposed regulations, and then Council discussed them and voted to enact a modified version of them.
The new regulations go into effect on Oct. 1, 2024. Permitted fires will only be allowed from October 1 to April 30 each year, only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. They will be limited to three locations, and only two fires per evening will be permitted.
For more complete information, please go to bit.ly/SIBeachFire.
Golf Car Safety Info
You may recall my past entreaties to follow the regulations and common sense in your use of our beloved Island golf carts. Recently, the Charleston City Paper highlighted the importance of this issue. I’m sure our Island Eye News hosts won’t mind if I share this link to their informative piece on the matter, which does it better than I ever have: bit.ly/CHSGolfCart
See you around the island!
Mayor Pat O’Neil
843 670 9266
Twitter: @oneilpm1
oneilp@sullivansisland.sc.gov
Published: Sep. 18, 2024 at 2:20 PM PDT|SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The Army Corps of Engineers have been on Sullivan’s Island for months preparing for a sand project and progress is expected to be made shortly.They are doing something that has never been done in the Charleston district before, pumping 200,000 cubic yards of sand from dredged material areas right into the low tide of Breach Inlet. The beach access path on the inlet is currently closed due to the work.“Our contractor has started ins...
Published: Sep. 18, 2024 at 2:20 PM PDT|
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The Army Corps of Engineers have been on Sullivan’s Island for months preparing for a sand project and progress is expected to be made shortly.
They are doing something that has never been done in the Charleston district before, pumping 200,000 cubic yards of sand from dredged material areas right into the low tide of Breach Inlet. The beach access path on the inlet is currently closed due to the work.
“Our contractor has started installing some pipe, they’re preparing to start dredging soon, the pipe that you see out there will be used to deliver sand to the beach,” Project Manager Jakob Kyzar said.
The Corps hasn’t started pumping sand yet and they don’t have a firm date of when they will begin. They are able to do this at no cost to the town and once finished on Sullivan’s, the Corps will do the same on Isle of Palms.
Kyzar said this is a beneficial use project, not a renourishment.
“We will not be seeking to actually build a beach,” Kyzar said. “The sand will be placed within the surf zone to either let nature take it to where it’s gonna go up and down the beaches naturally or to have the communities potentially move it on their own.”
The Town of Sullivan’s Island does have plans for the sand. It will use nearly $650,000 from its capital improvement fund to move it and restore dunes along Breach Inlet and the seaward side of Marshall Boulevard.
Town officials said it will serve as additional protection for the properties in the area. While the town’s aspect of the project is happening, some beach access will be restricted.
“There will be efforts made to make it possible for people to walk above the areas where construction work is being done, so that they can work their way down to adjacent free beach areas,” Councilmember Gary Visser said. “It may better though to use a different section of the beach in the interim.”
Once the Corps completes their work, the town will start their project three-four weeks after and take two-three weeks to complete it.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
ProvidedThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been performing maintenance on the Intracoastal Waterway, clearing out disposal areas to allow for more efficient disposal of dredged materials. As part of a beneficial use project, beach-compatible sand is being relocated to the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island.During the Sullivan's Island Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 20, Steven Traynum of Coastal Science and Engineering and Dr. Nicole Elko of Elko Coastal Consultants provided an update on the project....
Provided
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been performing maintenance on the Intracoastal Waterway, clearing out disposal areas to allow for more efficient disposal of dredged materials. As part of a beneficial use project, beach-compatible sand is being relocated to the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island.
During the Sullivan's Island Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 20, Steven Traynum of Coastal Science and Engineering and Dr. Nicole Elko of Elko Coastal Consultants provided an update on the project.
“This has never been done before in South Carolina; there are only one or two examples in the country of clearing out a disposal area and transferring it to the beach,” said Dr. Elko. “We all just need to be patient; understand that the contractor has no experience doing this, and the Corps has never designed something like this before. The next one will be a lot better.”
Traynum announced that sand placement is finally on the horizon after many delays. All equipment is ready, vegetation has been cleared, and the USACE is just waiting to create a large enough stockpile to allow for a continuous feed of sand before starting the placement.
Those delays have caused some confusion with Isle of Palms residents, some of whom have relied upon the schedule to regulate beach repair decisions and have looked at it as a renourishment project. However, the USACE has said that this is a disposal exercise to create space in the spoil area for their next dredge project and is not a renourishment project.
The sand placement will occur sequentially in three piles along the lower intertidal beach—the area exposed during low tide and submerged during high tide. Approximately 200,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed near Breach Inlet, with between 50,000 and 75,000 cubic yards in stockpile one, 75,000 cubic yards in stockpile two, and the remainder in stockpile three.
The Town of Sullivan's Island is coordinating a supplemental project to move up to 71,000 cubic yards of sand from these stockpiles to desired areas on the island, focusing on restoring dunes, improving storm resilience, and expanding the recreational area around Thompson Park.
Additionally, the town plans to establish a 5,000-cubic-yard reserve stockpile on town property, which could be used locally in case of a storm or by individuals with permission from the town for dune nourishment on their property. This collaborative project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to cost between 10% and 20% of the typical expense of trucking in new sand for beach renourishment.
Although pumped sand from a sand source is less expensive than trucked sand, it is still costly. The quantity of sand, plus deployment cost, is estimated to be about $10 million. The Isle of Palm's Beach Fund stood at $8.9 million at the end of June 2024. In addition, State Senator Chip Campsen was able to secure about $855,000 to help with the erosion control spending over the past year.
Some residents are concerned that this project, if successful, will provide just a fraction of the sand required on the beaches.
Traynum mentioned that it is very likely the sand will wash out into the Breach Inlet delta soon after placement, so the plan is to work closely with the USACE’s contractors to integrate these two projects. When the USACE finishes placing sand in stockpile one and moves to work on stockpile two, the town can begin its supplemental project, following behind the USACE and moving sand to higher elevations as quickly as possible.
Work will occur around the clock through mid-October on Sullivans Island before moving to Isle of Palms, with the USACE’s contractor aiming to minimize the closure zone to the immediate construction areas, allowing public access along the beach.