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McGuire Law

Columbia Defective Products Fatalities Attorney

When a defective product takes the life of someone you love, your family faces not only devastating grief but also the overwhelming challenge of proving corporate negligence while dealing with unimaginable loss. Columbia, South Carolina families deserve justice when dangerous products cause preventable deaths, whether from exploding electronics, contaminated food products, defective vehicles, or unsafe consumer goods that manufacturers knew posed deadly risks.

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Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for Wrongful Death Cases

Attorney Matt McGuire

Time is critical in these cases, as evidence disappears, witnesses forget crucial details, and corporations work quickly to limit their liability exposure. Matthew McGuire has spent over 30 years fighting for South Carolina families who lost loved ones to defective products, understanding that no amount of compensation can replace your loss, but holding manufacturers accountable prevents future tragedies and provides financial security during your family's darkest hours.

With offices in Columbia and availability 24/7/365, McGuire Law responds immediately when families face the unthinkable—because in wrongful death cases, preserving evidence and documenting manufacturer negligence quickly is essential for securing justice and accountability.

The Legal Expertise of McGuire Law

Wrongful death cases arising from defective products demand attorneys who can challenge major corporations while supporting grieving families through complex litigation. Our extensive experience holding manufacturers accountable gives Columbia families the powerful representation they need during their most difficult moments.

Personal Injury Success

We have recovered millions of dollars for injury victims and surviving families across South Carolina. Our experience spans automotive defects, consumer products, industrial equipment, and all categories of dangerous products that cause fatal injuries.

Vehicular Accident Litigation

Extensive experience with fatal automotive defects including faulty brakes, defective airbags, and rollover-prone vehicles. We work with accident reconstruction experts and automotive engineers to prove manufacturing negligence.

Appellate Experience

Experience handling appeals in South Carolina appellate courts ensures we protect your verdict if manufacturers challenge jury decisions. We've successfully defended favorable trial outcomes through compelling appellate advocacy.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Skilled in mediation and arbitration to resolve wrongful death claims when appropriate. We know when settlement serves grieving families' interests and when trial is necessary to achieve full accountability.

Premises Liability Advocacy

Successfully represented families in cases involving dangerous building materials, toxic exposure, and structural defects. We hold property owners and product manufacturers jointly accountable for fatal incidents.

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Types of Fatal Defective Product Cases

Dangerous products cause preventable deaths across every category of consumer goods. Understanding these product types helps families identify potential wrongful death claims and hold negligent manufacturers accountable.

Automotive Defects

Faulty brakes, defective airbags, rollover-prone SUVs, and sudden acceleration problems that cause deadly crashes on I-77, I-20, and Columbia streets.

Consumer Electronics

Products that explode, catch fire, or electrocute users, including defective batteries, space heaters, and household appliances that cause fatal injuries.

Contaminated Food Products

Deadly bacteria, toxins, or undisclosed allergens that cause fatal poisoning or severe allergic reactions in Columbia consumers.

Children's Products

Cribs, car seats, toys, and playground equipment with design flaws that cause suffocation, strangulation, or fatal injuries to young children.

Industrial Equipment

Power tools and machinery that fail catastrophically, causing fatal workplace accidents or serious injuries leading to death.

Building Materials

Products containing deadly asbestos, toxic chemicals, or structural defects causing fatal exposure or building collapse.

Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals

Defective devices and dangerous medications that cause fatal heart attacks, strokes, organ failure, or catastrophic malfunctions.

Manufacturers Often Know About Deadly Defects

Corporate documents frequently reveal companies knew their products were dangerous but prioritized profits over consumer safety.

McGuire Law's Core Values

Families who have lost loved ones to defective products need attorneys who combine fierce advocacy against corporations with genuine compassion during the most difficult time of their lives. Our foundational principles ensure you receive both.

Honest Communication

We believe in straightforward communication about your wrongful death case. We'll tell you honestly what to expect, what your options are, and what we recommend based on our 30+ years handling fatal product defect cases.

24/7 Availability

Families dealing with sudden loss need immediate support. We're available around the clock to respond to urgent situations and provide guidance when you need it most during these devastating circumstances.

Personal Attorney Access

You'll work directly with Matt McGuire, not paralegals or junior associates handling your loved one's wrongful death case. Your calls and emails get personal attention from experienced counsel who understands your loss.

Ethical Practice

We maintain the highest ethical standards while aggressively pursuing manufacturer accountability. Our reputation for integrity has been built over 30 years and benefits every family we represent.

Trial Readiness

Corporations and their insurers respect lawyers who will take wrongful death cases to trial. Our trial experience ensures manufacturers take our settlement demands seriously and offer fair compensation.

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Immediate Evidence Preservation After Product-Related Death

Critical evidence in wrongful death cases can disappear within hours. Taking these steps immediately protects your family's ability to hold manufacturers accountable.

Preserve the Defective Product

Keep the product exactly as found, avoiding any alterations that might compromise crucial evidence for your wrongful death case against the manufacturer.

Photograph the Scene

Document the accident scene, product positioning, and any visible defects before emergency responders or family members disturb the area.

Collect All Documentation

Gather product packaging, instruction manuals, warranty information, and purchase receipts that establish the manufacturer and distribution chain.

Secure Witness Statements

Obtain statements from anyone who observed the fatal incident or noticed problems with the product before the tragedy occurred.

Request Official Reports

Obtain complete autopsy reports from Richland County Coroner's Office and medical records from treating physicians at Columbia hospitals.

Contact McGuire Law Immediately

Call (888) 499-5738 before speaking with insurance companies or manufacturer representatives who will work to minimize their exposure.

The McGuire Law Difference

When corporations cause preventable deaths, grieving families need attorneys who will fight relentlessly for accountability while providing compassionate support. Matt McGuire has held manufacturers responsible for fatal product defects for over 30 years, understanding that these cases require both aggressive litigation and genuine care for families during their darkest hours.

Deep Client Partnerships

We don't just handle your wrongful death case—we become an extension of your family during this difficult time. We take time to understand your loved one's life, your family's needs, and your goals for achieving justice and accountability.

Efficient and Cost-Conscious

We respect your family's financial situation during this difficult time. Most wrongful death cases are handled on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family.

Local Roots, Sophisticated Service

We combine the personalized attention of a local Columbia firm with the caliber of counsel you'd expect from much larger practices that handle national product liability litigation.

Strategic Thinking, Not Just Legal Advice

We look beyond the immediate legal question to help your family make decisions that serve your broader needs for closure, accountability, and long-term financial security.

Always Accessible

When you need us, we're there. Our attorneys are responsive, available, and committed to keeping your family informed about your wrongful death litigation every step of the way.

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Wrongful Death Claims Under South Carolina Law

Understanding South Carolina's wrongful death statute helps families pursue full compensation for their devastating loss.

Who Can File

  • Only the personal representative of the deceased's estate can file wrongful death lawsuits in Richland County Court
  • Beneficiaries include surviving spouses, children, parents, and heirs who suffered losses
  • Distribution follows specific statutory formulas based on family relationships
  • South Carolina requires filing within three years of the death

Available Damages

  • Economic damages for lost earnings and financial support throughout projected lifetime
  • Non-economic damages for loss of companionship, guidance, and care
  • Punitive damages when manufacturers acted with reckless disregard for safety
  • Survival actions for damages suffered between injury and death

Three-Year Statute of Limitations

South Carolina law strictly limits the time for filing wrongful death claims. Contact us immediately to protect your family's legal rights.

Corporate Investigation and Manufacturer Accountability

We conduct comprehensive investigations to expose corporate negligence and prove manufacturers knew their products were dangerous.

Internal Document Analysis

Examining design documents, safety testing results, and internal communications that may reveal manufacturer knowledge of deadly product defects.

Regulatory Investigation

Reviewing FDA recalls, CPSC warnings, and other regulatory actions that demonstrate known safety problems with similar products.

Manufacturing Process Review

Analyzing quality control procedures and inspection records at facilities where the deadly product was produced.

Similar Incident Research

Reviewing lawsuits and death reports involving the same product to establish patterns of dangerous failures and corporate knowledge.

Expert Witness Coordination

Subpoenaing engineers, safety specialists, and industry professionals who can explain how defects caused the fatal incident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Families facing the unthinkable loss of a loved one to a defective product have many urgent questions about their legal rights and the path forward toward justice and accountability.

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit?

Only the personal representative of the deceased's estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit in South Carolina. The court will appoint a representative if one hasn't been designated, and we can help guide your family through this process.

How long do we have to file a claim?

South Carolina's wrongful death statute requires filing within three years of the death. However, evidence disappears quickly, so contacting an attorney immediately is crucial for building the strongest possible case.

What if the product was recalled after my loved one's death?

A recall actually strengthens your case by demonstrating the manufacturer's acknowledgment of dangerous defects. We use recall information to prove corporate knowledge and establish negligence patterns.

How is compensation distributed to family members?

South Carolina law provides specific formulas for distributing wrongful death proceeds based on surviving family members and their relationship to the deceased. The court oversees this distribution process.

Can we sue multiple defendants?

Yes. Wrongful death claims often involve multiple defendants including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and component part suppliers. We identify all responsible parties to maximize your family's recovery.

What are punitive damages?

Punitive damages punish manufacturers who acted with reckless disregard for consumer safety or concealed known deadly defects. These damages can significantly increase your family's recovery when corporate misconduct is proven.

How long do these cases take?

Wrongful death product liability cases typically take 1-3 years depending on complexity and whether cases coordinate with national litigation. We push aggressively for resolution while ensuring your family receives full compensation.

What does wrongful death representation cost?

Most wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency fee basis—your family pays nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call for free to discuss your case and understand your options.

Matt McGuire - Attorney

About South Carolina Attorney Matt McGuire

Matt McGuire South Carolina Criminal Defense Personal Injury Family Law Attorney

With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.

McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.

Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.

Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.

Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.

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Get Started Today

When you've lost a loved one to a defective product, you need more than just any attorney – you need Matt McGuire and McGuire Law.

Don't let another day pass without proper legal protection against corporations that prioritized profits over your family's safety. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and compassionate legal representation can make in your wrongful death case.

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Columbia Office

2001 Assembly Street, Suite 102-B
Columbia, SC 29201

(888) 499-5738

Contact McGuire Law Today

Your family deserves justice and accountability after losing a loved one to a defective product – call (888) 499-5738 immediately for compassionate, aggressive representation. Matt McGuire's three decades of experience holding corporations responsible for preventable deaths and 24/7 availability ensure your family gets the dedicated advocacy needed during this difficult time.

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." — Aristotle