What to Know About Stewart Law Offices and Personal Injury Claims in South Carolina

Stewart Law Offices handles personal injury cases across South Carolina

Stewart Law Offices is a personal injury law firm operating in South Carolina that represents clients in cases involving accidents, injuries, and related claims. The firm works with individuals who have been harmed and need legal representation to pursue compensation from responsible parties or their insurance companies.

If you have been injured and are considering legal action, understanding how a law firm like Stewart Law Offices operates—what they handle, how they charge, and what the process looks like—can help you decide whether to reach out and what questions to ask when you do.

Key Takeaways

• Stewart Law Offices represents clients in personal injury cases, which typically involve accidents, negligence, or harm caused by another party's actions.
• Most personal injury law firms, including those handling cases like Stewart Law Offices does, work on contingency, meaning they take payment only if you receive a settlement or court award.
• The personal injury process generally involves investigation, negotiation with insurance companies, and potentially filing a lawsuit if a settlement cannot be reached.
• Contacting a personal injury law firm early after an injury preserves evidence and gives you time to understand your options before deadlines pass.

How personal injury law firms work with clients

When you contact a personal injury law firm, the first step is usually a consultation where an attorney listens to what happened, reviews any documents you have (medical records, police reports, photos), and explains whether your situation fits the kinds of cases they handle. During this conversation, the attorney will also explain how they charge and what the process typically looks like.

Most personal injury law firms operate on a contingency fee basis, which means the firm advances the costs of your case and takes a percentage of any settlement or judgment you receive. You do not pay anything upfront. If the case does not result in compensation, you owe nothing. This arrangement exists because it aligns the firm's interests with yours—they only make money if you do.

The firm will also explain the timeline. Personal injury cases can take months or even years, depending on the complexity of the injury, the clarity of fault, and whether the other party's insurance company is willing to negotiate or whether a lawsuit becomes necessary.

What happens after you hire representation

Once you retain a firm, the attorney and their team begin gathering evidence. This includes obtaining your medical records, requesting police reports or accident documentation, photographing the scene if relevant, and sometimes hiring experts (like medical doctors or accident reconstructionists) to support your claim.

The firm then contacts the other party's insurance company and begins negotiations. Insurance adjusters will review the evidence and make settlement offers. Your attorney will advise you on whether an offer is reasonable or whether holding out for more is worth the time and risk of going to trial.

If negotiations stall, the firm may file a lawsuit, which triggers the discovery process—a formal exchange of documents and evidence between both sides. Many cases settle during or after discovery, once both sides have a clearer picture of the strength of the claim. If settlement does not happen, the case proceeds to trial, where a judge or jury decides the outcome.

Types of personal injury cases

Personal injury law covers a wide range of accidents and harm. Common categories include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip-and-fall injuries on someone else's property, workplace injuries, medical malpractice, product liability (injury caused by a defective product), and wrongful death claims.

Each type of case has its own rules about who can be held responsible, what damages can be recovered, and what deadlines apply. For example, a slip-and-fall case on a business's property requires proving the business knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to fix it or warn customers. A car accident case focuses on whether the other driver violated traffic laws or drove negligently.

Understanding which category your injury falls into helps determine whether a particular law firm is a good fit and what kind of evidence will matter most.

Damages and what compensation might cover

In a personal injury case, damages refers to the money awarded to compensate you for your losses. These typically fall into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover measurable financial losses: medical bills (past and future), lost wages from time off work, costs of ongoing care or rehabilitation, and property damage. These are straightforward to calculate because they have receipts and documentation.

Non-economic damages cover harm that does not have a dollar price tag attached: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent scarring or disfigurement. These are harder to quantify, and insurance companies often dispute the amount. Your attorney will use comparable cases, medical testimony, and other evidence to argue for a fair number.

In rare cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm, a court may also award punitive damages, which are meant to punish the wrongdoer rather than simply compensate you. These are less common and depend on the specific facts and South Carolina law.

Statutes of limitation and why timing matters

South Carolina law sets deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. These deadlines, called statutes of limitation, vary depending on the type of injury. For most personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. For medical malpractice, the deadline is three years from discovery of the injury, with some exceptions.

These deadlines are strict. If you miss them, you lose the right to sue, even if your case is strong. This is why contacting a law firm relatively soon after an injury is important—not necessarily to rush into a lawsuit, but to ensure you have time to investigate, negotiate, and file if needed.

Some cases settle well before the deadline, and some take years to resolve. But having a firm working on your behalf means someone is tracking these dates and making sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Questions to ask when you contact a law firm

When you call Stewart Law Offices or any personal injury firm, come prepared with basic information: what happened, when it happened, who was involved, what injuries you sustained, and what medical treatment you have received. Then ask the firm directly about their experience with cases like yours, how they charge, what the timeline typically looks like, and what the next steps would be if you decide to work together.

Ask whether they handle cases in your area and whether they have handled cases similar to yours before. Ask what costs they advance and what happens if the case does not result in compensation. Ask how often they communicate with clients and who your main point of contact will be.

A reputable firm will answer these questions clearly and honestly. If a firm seems evasive, overpromises results, or pressures you to decide immediately, that is a signal to talk to other firms before deciding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

Most personal injury firms work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront. The firm takes a percentage of your settlement or judgment—typically between 25 and 40 percent, depending on the firm and the complexity of the case. Some firms also advance costs like filing fees and expert witness fees, which are deducted from your recovery. Ask any firm about their specific fee structure before hiring them.

How long does a personal injury case usually take?

Simple cases with clear liability and minor injuries may settle in a few months. Complex cases involving serious injuries, multiple parties, or disputed fault can take one to three years or longer. The timeline depends on how quickly evidence is gathered, whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate, and whether the case goes to trial. Your attorney can give you a better estimate once they review your specific situation.

What if the other party does not have insurance?

If the person who caused your injury has no insurance, you may still pursue a claim against them personally, though collecting money can be difficult. South Carolina also has an Uninsured Motorist fund for car accidents. Your attorney will explain what options exist in your situation and whether pursuing the claim is worth the effort and cost.

Can I still pursue a case if I was partially at fault?

South Carolina follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover compensation even if you were partly responsible, as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20 percent at fault and the award is $10,000, you receive $8,000. Your attorney will explain how this applies to your case.

What should I do right after an injury?

Seek medical attention first. Then document what happened: take photos, get names and contact information from witnesses, and file a police report if applicable. Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts. Do not post about the injury on social media, and do not give a recorded statement to the other party's insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Contact a personal injury firm to discuss your options.