wrongful death claim (South Carolina) · Go Syfert
← South Carolina issues

wrongful death claim in South Carolina

14 South Carolina opinions name it 2 courts 2010–2025 8 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by South Carolina courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (7)

CaseFollowedCited
Futch v. McAllister Towing of Georgetown, Inc.green
sc · 1999 · cited in 3 South Carolina opinions naming this issue, 2021–2023
2 sentences

2023However, we also note that "courts may not refuse to compel arbitration simply because a wrongful death claim is involved." Dean v. Heritage Healthcare of Ridgeway, LLC, 408 S.C. 371 , 378 n.3, 759 S.E.2d 727 , 731 n.3 (2014). 613, 518 S.E.2d 591, 598 (1999) (stating a court need not address remaining issues when another issue is dispositive).

2021See Futch v. McAllister Towing of Georgetown, Inc., 335 S.C. 598, 613 , 518 S.E.2d 591, 598 (1999) (holding an appellate court need not review remaining issues when its determination of a prior issue is dispositive of the appeal). entitled the injured party to maintain an action to recover damages.

33
Bennett v. Spartanburg Ry., Gas & Electric Co.green
sc · 1914 · cited in 2 South Carolina opinions naming this issue, 2023–2024
2 sentences

2024Co., 97 S.C. 27, 30 , 81 S.E. 189, 190 (1914) (explaining that a survival action is distinct from a wrongful death claim in part because "the elements of damage recoverable are entirely different").

2024Co., 97 S.C. 27, 30 , 81 S.E. 189, 190 (1914) (explaining that a survival action is distinct from a wrongful death claim in part because "the elements of damage recoverable are entirely different").

12
Carolina Care Plan, Inc. v. United Healthcare Services, Inc.green
sc · 2004 · cited in 1 South Carolina opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
2 sentences

2025Est. of Shaw-Baker v. Huckabee, 422 S.C. 234, 240 , 811 S.E.2d 739, 742 (2018) ("[T]he substantive right to bring a survival action—like a wrongful death action— is determined by the Probate Code."); id. ("[W]rongful death actions must be brought by the personal representative . . . ."); Dean v. Heritage Healthcare of Ridgeway, LLC, 408 S.C. 371 , 378 n.3, 759 S.E.2d 727 , 731 n.3 (2014) (noting courts may not refuse to compel arbitration simply because a wrongful death claim is involved); Carolina Care Plan, Inc., 361 S.C. at 557 , 606 S.E.2d at 759 (holding the issue of whether the arbitrati

2025Est. of Shaw-Baker v. Huckabee, 422 S.C. 234, 240 , 811 S.E.2d 739, 742 (2018) ("[T]he substantive right to bring a survival action—like a wrongful death action— is determined by the Probate Code."); id. ("[W]rongful death actions must be brought by the personal representative . . . ."); Dean v. Heritage Healthcare of Ridgeway, LLC, 408 S.C. 371 , 378 n.3, 759 S.E.2d 727 , 731 n.3 (2014) (noting courts may not refuse to compel arbitration simply because a wrongful death claim is involved); Carolina Care Plan, Inc., 361 S.C. at 557 , 606 S.E.2d at 759 (holding the issue of whether the arbitrati

11
Fisher Ex Rel. Estate of Shaw-Baker v. Huckabeegreen
sc · 2018 · cited in 1 South Carolina opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
2 sentences

2025Est. of Shaw-Baker v. Huckabee, 422 S.C. 234, 240 , 811 S.E.2d 739, 742 (2018) ("[T]he substantive right to bring a survival action—like a wrongful death action— is determined by the Probate Code."); id. ("[W]rongful death actions must be brought by the personal representative . . . ."); Dean v. Heritage Healthcare of Ridgeway, LLC, 408 S.C. 371 , 378 n.3, 759 S.E.2d 727 , 731 n.3 (2014) (noting courts may not refuse to compel arbitration simply because a wrongful death claim is involved); Carolina Care Plan, Inc., 361 S.C. at 557 , 606 S.E.2d at 759 (holding the issue of whether the arbitrati

2025Est. of Shaw-Baker v. Huckabee, 422 S.C. 234, 240 , 811 S.E.2d 739, 742 (2018) ("[T]he substantive right to bring a survival action—like a wrongful death action— is determined by the Probate Code."); id. ("[W]rongful death actions must be brought by the personal representative . . . ."); Dean v. Heritage Healthcare of Ridgeway, LLC, 408 S.C. 371 , 378 n.3, 759 S.E.2d 727 , 731 n.3 (2014) (noting courts may not refuse to compel arbitration simply because a wrongful death claim is involved); Carolina Care Plan, Inc., 361 S.C. at 557 , 606 S.E.2d at 759 (holding the issue of whether the arbitrati

11
Riley Ex Rel. Estate of Riley v. Ford Motor Co.green
sc · 2015 · cited in 1 South Carolina opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
2 sentences

2023Every such action shall be brought by or in the name of the executor or administrator of such person." (emphasis added)); Riley, 414 S.C. at 196 , 777 S.E.2d at 830 (affirming a setoff that conformed to the allocation of damages between a wrongful death claim and a survival claim); Jolly, 435 S.C. at 670, 869 S.E.2d at 853 (explaining why wrongful death and survival are different claims for different injuries despite the fact that they were created out of the same set of facts); Widener, 397 S.C. at 473 n.1, 724 S.E.2d at 191 n.1 (citing Bennett v. Spartanburg Railway, Gas & Electric Co., 97 S

2023Every such action shall be brought by or in the name of the executor or administrator of such person." (emphasis added)); Riley, 414 S.C. at 196 , 777 S.E.2d at 830 (affirming a setoff that conformed to the allocation of damages between a wrongful death claim and a survival claim); Jolly, 435 S.C. at 670, 869 S.E.2d at 853 (explaining why wrongful death and survival are different claims for different injuries despite the fact that they were created out of the same set of facts); Widener, 397 S.C. at 473 n.1, 724 S.E.2d at 191 n.1 (citing Bennett v. Spartanburg Railway, Gas & Electric Co., 97 S

11
Estate of Stokes Ex Rel. Spell v. Pee Dee Family Physicians, L.L.P.green
sc · 2010 · cited in 1 South Carolina opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
2 sentences

2021Spell v. Pee Dee Family Physicians, L.L.P., 389 S.C. 343, 349 , 699 S.E.2d 143, 146 (2010) (holding that a wrongful death claim "lies in the decedent's estate only when the decedent possessed the right of recovery at his death"); id. at 347 , 699 S.E.2d at 145 ("[I]f the decedent had no claim at his death, the estate has no claim.").

2021Spell v. Pee Dee Family Physicians, L.L.P., 389 S.C. 343, 349 , 699 S.E.2d 143, 146 (2010) (holding that a wrongful death claim "lies in the decedent's estate only when the decedent possessed the right of recovery at his death"); id. at 347 , 699 S.E.2d at 145 ("[I]f the decedent had no claim at his death, the estate has no claim.").

11
Burroughs v. Worshamgreen
scctapp · 2002 · cited in 1 South Carolina opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
2 sentences

2021They state that wrongful death claims "allow a decedent's heirs to pursue the decedent's personal injury claims after his or her death." In making this conclusion, Appellants rely on Burroughs v. Worsham, 352 S.C. 382, 406 , 574 S.E.2d 215, 227 (Ct. App. 2002), for the proposition that a wrongful death claim is to compensate the heirs of a decedent, who, if he had survived, could have brought a personal injury action.

2021They state that wrongful death claims "allow a decedent's heirs to pursue the decedent's personal injury claims after his or her death." In making this conclusion, Appellants rely on Burroughs v. Worsham, 352 S.C. 382, 406 , 574 S.E.2d 215, 227 (Ct. App. 2002), for the proposition that a wrongful death claim is to compensate the heirs of a decedent, who, if he had survived, could have brought a personal injury action.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in South Carolina. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (9)

CaseCitedYears
Dean v. Heritage Healthcare of Ridgeway, LLC green
sc · 2014
2 sentences

2025Est. of Shaw-Baker v. Huckabee, 422 S.C. 234, 240 , 811 S.E.2d 739, 742 (2018) ("[T]he substantive right to bring a survival action—like a wrongful death action— is determined by the Probate Code."); id. ("[W]rongful death actions must be brought by the personal representative . . . ."); Dean v. Heritage Healthcare of Ridgeway, LLC, 408 S.C. 371 , 378 n.3, 759 S.E.2d 727 , 731 n.3 (2014) (noting courts may not refuse to compel arbitration simply because a wrongful death claim is involved); Carolina Care Plan, Inc., 361 S.C. at 557 , 606 S.E.2d at 759 (holding the issue of whether the arbitrati

2025Est. of Shaw-Baker v. Huckabee, 422 S.C. 234, 240 , 811 S.E.2d 739, 742 (2018) ("[T]he substantive right to bring a survival action—like a wrongful death action— is determined by the Probate Code."); id. ("[W]rongful death actions must be brought by the personal representative . . . ."); Dean v. Heritage Healthcare of Ridgeway, LLC, 408 S.C. 371 , 378 n.3, 759 S.E.2d 727 , 731 n.3 (2014) (noting courts may not refuse to compel arbitration simply because a wrongful death claim is involved); Carolina Care Plan, Inc., 361 S.C. at 557 , 606 S.E.2d at 759 (holding the issue of whether the arbitrati

32023–2025
Rutland v. South Carolina Department of Transportation green
sc · 2012
2 sentences

2024Nevertheless, the plaintiff and two settling defendants agreed to allocate almost half of $305,000 in settlement funds "to conscious pain and suffering under the potential . . . survival claim" and the remainder to the wrongful death claim. 400 S.C. at 212 , 734 S.E.2d at 143 .

2024Nevertheless, the plaintiff and two settling defendants agreed to allocate almost half of $305,000 in settlement funds "to conscious pain and suffering under the potential . . . survival claim" and the remainder to the wrongful death claim. 400 S.C. at 212 , 734 S.E.2d at 143 .

32014–2024
Marmet Health Care Center, Inc. v. Brown green
scotus · 2012
2 sentences

2024However, in Dean v. Heritage Healthcare of Ridgeway, LLC, our supreme court explained "courts may not refuse to compel arbitration simply because a wrongful death claim is involved." 408 S.C. 371 , 378 n.3, 759 S.E.2d 727 , 731 n.3 (2014) (citing Marmet Health Care Ctr., Inc. v. Brown, 565 U.S. 530 (2012) (per curiam) (invalidating West Virginia's policy of refusing to refer wrongful death claims against a nursing home to arbitration)). 4 Conclusion For the foregoing reasons, the circuit court's order denying Appellants' motion to dismiss and compel arbitration is REVERSED AND REMANDED. 5 THOM

2014Marmet Health Care Ctr., Inc. v. Brown, -U.S. -, 132 S.Ct. 1201, 1203-04 , 182 L.Ed.2d 42 (2012) (per curiam) (invalidating West Virginia’s policy refusing to refer wrongful death claims against a nursing home to arbitration). 4 .

22014–2024
Welch v. Epstein green
scctapp · 2000
2 sentences

2012Id. at 312 , 536 S.E.2d at 425 .

2012Id. at 312 , 536 S.E.2d at 425 .

22010–2012
Price v. Railroad Co. green
sc · 1890
2 sentences

2024They rely on Price v. Richmond & Danville Railroad Co., 33 S.C. 556 , 12 S.E. 413 (1890), and Reed v. Northeastern Railroad Co., 37 S.C. 42 , 16 S.E. 289 (1892), and argue those cases hold that where a plaintiff settles his personal injury claim while living, and he ultimately dies of his injuries, "his estate [is] barred from recovering on its wrongful death claim." We do not doubt Fisher and Crosby are correct as to the holdings of Price and Reed.

2024They rely on Price v. Richmond & Danville Railroad Co., 33 S.C. 556 , 12 S.E. 413 (1890), and Reed v. Northeastern Railroad Co., 37 S.C. 42 , 16 S.E. 289 (1892), and argue those cases hold that where a plaintiff settles his personal injury claim while living, and he ultimately dies of his injuries, "his estate [is] barred from recovering on its wrongful death claim." We do not doubt Fisher and Crosby are correct as to the holdings of Price and Reed.

12024–2024
Reed v. Northeastern Railroad neutral
sc · 1892
2 sentences

2024They rely on Price v. Richmond & Danville Railroad Co., 33 S.C. 556 , 12 S.E. 413 (1890), and Reed v. Northeastern Railroad Co., 37 S.C. 42 , 16 S.E. 289 (1892), and argue those cases hold that where a plaintiff settles his personal injury claim while living, and he ultimately dies of his injuries, "his estate [is] barred from recovering on its wrongful death claim." We do not doubt Fisher and Crosby are correct as to the holdings of Price and Reed.

2024They rely on Price v. Richmond & Danville Railroad Co., 33 S.C. 556 , 12 S.E. 413 (1890), and Reed v. Northeastern Railroad Co., 37 S.C. 42 , 16 S.E. 289 (1892), and argue those cases hold that where a plaintiff settles his personal injury claim while living, and he ultimately dies of his injuries, "his estate [is] barred from recovering on its wrongful death claim." We do not doubt Fisher and Crosby are correct as to the holdings of Price and Reed.

12024–2024
Smith v. Widener green
scctapp · 2012
2 sentences

2023Every such action shall be brought by or in the name of the executor or administrator of such person." (emphasis added)); Riley, 414 S.C. at 196 , 777 S.E.2d at 830 (affirming a setoff that conformed to the allocation of damages between a wrongful death claim and a survival claim); Jolly, 435 S.C. at 670, 869 S.E.2d at 853 (explaining why wrongful death and survival are different claims for different injuries despite the fact that they were created out of the same set of facts); Widener, 397 S.C. at 473 n.1, 724 S.E.2d at 191 n.1 (citing Bennett v. Spartanburg Railway, Gas & Electric Co., 97 S

2023Every such action shall be brought by or in the name of the executor or administrator of such person." (emphasis added)); Riley, 414 S.C. at 196 , 777 S.E.2d at 830 (affirming a setoff that conformed to the allocation of damages between a wrongful death claim and a survival claim); Jolly, 435 S.C. at 670, 869 S.E.2d at 853 (explaining why wrongful death and survival are different claims for different injuries despite the fact that they were created out of the same set of facts); Widener, 397 S.C. at 473 n.1, 724 S.E.2d at 191 n.1 (citing Bennett v. Spartanburg Railway, Gas & Electric Co., 97 S

12023–2023
Riley v. Ford Motor Co. green
scctapp · 2014
2 sentences

2015Id. at 17 , 757 S.E.2d at 431 .

2015Id. at 17 , 757 S.E.2d at 431 .

12015–2015
Quattlebaum v. Carey Canada, Inc. green
scd · 1988
1 sentence

2010In Quattlebaum v. Carey Canada, Inc., the honorable and learned judge, Joe F. Anderson, Jr., correctly applied South Carolina law and dismissed a wrongful death claim because the decedent possessed no claim at his death. 685 F.Supp. 939 (D.S.C.1988).

12010–2010

Statutes the citing opinions construe

SC § S.C. Code Ann. § 15-51-10 (5) SC § S.C. Code Ann. § 15-38-50 (4) SC § S.C. Code Ann. § 15-5-90 (4) SC § S.C. Code Ann. § 15-51-20 (4)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

OH 157 (1959–2025) IL 127 (1962–2026) TX 117 (1973–2026) CA 103 (1958–2026) NY 91 (1949–2025) LA 71 (1964–2024) MS 68 (1984–2026) GA 62 (1967–2024) MO 60 (1973–2024) FL 60 (1967–2025) AL 58 (1984–2025) MD 53 (1981–2025) PA 52 (1983–2025) IN 52 (1982–2025) AZ 38 (1965–2025) NM 37 (1970–2025) KY 36 (1990–2026) WA 34 (1974–2026) NC 33 (1971–2022) MI 32 (1969–2022) WI 32 (1979–2026) NJ 31 (1978–2024) TN 30 (1996–2026) OR 28 (1986–2026) WV 26 (1973–2021) CO 25 (1977–2026) IA 25 (1983–2026) MN 23 (1982–2024) MA 21 (1962–2024) CT 19 (1992–2022) KS 17 (1969–2026) AR 16 (1997–2022) VA 15 (1980–2024) SC 14 (2010–2025) UT 14 (1983–2025) MT 13 (1968–2013) OK 13 (1975–2024) SD 10 (1974–2022) ID 9 (1980–2024) WY 8 (1989–2021) ME 8 (1999–2025) HI 7 (1998–2025) AK 6 (1986–2020) DC 6 (1980–2006) RI 5 (1991–2019) ND 5 (1988–2019) NE 5 (1988–2024) NV 5 (1991–2023) DE 5 (1984–2021) VI 2 (2014–2016) VT 2 (2005–2020)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

← Caselaw search · G Cite Topics · Brief Check