Results redefined
We stand up for and with our clients from day one, aggressively advocating to make our clients whole. We have represented clients in a wide array of serious personal injury and wrongful death matters, and we have served as lead or co-counsel in some of the highest profile cases in recent American history.
But regardless of the size or notoriety of a case, we are relentless in our pursuit of justice. This is because we understand what is most important when a client’s life is turned upside down by the wrongful actions of a person, corporation or governmental entity: You deserve our absolute best. Good. Better. Bamberg.
Results. The list below is not intended to describe the quality of our services or create an expectation about the results our lawyers can achieve but is simply a list of some of the significant verdicts and settlements obtained by our lawyers, some of which were obtained while employed with other firms. Click categories below to see awards and case details.
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WRONGFUL DEATH/CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION
$6,000,000.00
SC prison riot settlement: Inmates, families set to get $6 million – WLTX (06/29/21)
WRONGFUL DEATH/CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION
$4,500,000.00
Alton Sterling children accept $4.5 million offer to end wrongful death lawsuit – The Advocate (06/11/21)
INSURANCE BAD FAITH
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT $1,500,000.00
Our client was injured during a motor vehicle accident. After the at-fault driver’s insurer missed a time-sensitive settlement demand deadline requiring the at-fault driver’s liability policy limits of $25,000.00 be tendered to client, we filed suit and were able to shortly thereafter negotiate a confidential settlement in the amount of $1,500,000.00.
NEGLIGENCE/UNCONSTITUTIONAL USE OF FORCE
$650,000.00
Black Man Stomped by South Carolina Officer Will Receive $650,000 Settlement – The New York Times (11/17/21)
NEGLIGENCE/TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT
23x MEDICAL BILLS, MULTIPLE SIX FIGURE SETTLEMENT
Our client was injured when a commercial motor vehicle pulled out in front of client. We were able to negotiate a pre-lawsuit settlement more than 23x client’s medical bills.NEGLIGENT SECURITY/HOTEL PREMISES LIABILITY
$25 MILLION JUDGMENTHigh school students were allowed to party in hotel with history of both criminal and unsafe activities occurring. We alleged negligent security and other claims against hotel for failing to stop unsupervised minors from creating an unsafe environment that led to the paralysis of a minor. Our legal team and co-counsel successfully obtained a $25,000,000.00 judgment against hotel.
WRONGFUL DEATH/CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
$6.5 MILLIONEstate of Walter L. Scott v. City of North Charleston, et al.: On April 4, 2015, Walter Scott was shot and killed in North Charleston, South Carolina while unarmed and running from an officer employed by the City of North Charleston Police Department. A witness filmed the incident with his cell phone, sparking national outrage over the incident and renewing discussions of police brutality and use-of-force. After six months of tireless work and negotiation, we were able to reach a historic pre-suit settlement on behalf of Mr. Scott’s four children. This was the highest pre-suit settlement of its kind in the history of South Carolina.
NEGLIGENCE/MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTCONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT IN EXCESS OF $2,500,000.00Our client was killed during a motor vehicle accident. We were able to obtain a confidential settlement in excess of $2,500,000.00.WRONGFUL DEATH/NEGLIGENCECONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT IN EXCESS OF $800,000.00Our client died while in government custody. After extensive discovery during litigation, we were able to reach a settlement in excess of the state governmental damage caps on liability.NEGLIGENCE/UNCONSTITUTIONAL USE OF FORCE$750,000.00Our client was shot by law enforcement when responding to a call for service after law enforcement mistook our client’s identity. The state governmental cap on damages was only $300,000.00 but through extensive litigation, we achieved a resolution in an amount more than twice the state governmental damage caps on liability.WRONGFUL DEATH/MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT$200,000.00Our client died after a motor vehicle collision in which law enforcement determined our client was at-fault. Through accident reconstruction of the scene and collision, we were able to obtain a favorable settlement despite law enforcement’s conclusions prior to filing a formal lawsuit.NEGLIGENCE/BED BUGS17x MedicalsOur client was bitten by bed bugs during a hotel stay. We were able to negotiate a pre-suit settlement more than 17x our client’s medical bill total.UNCONSTITUTIONAL USE OF FORCE
$900,000.00Our client Albert Chatfield, an 86-year-old suffering from a dementia-related mental breakdown, was stopped by Kingstree Police Department officers on October 16, 2017, for minor traffic violations. As he exited the vehicle with his hands up, officers attempted to restrain him. Scared and non-compliant, our client backed away from the officers. 43 seconds after the initial traffic stop, an officer used his taser on our unarmed, elderly client, resulting in him falling and hitting his head on the pavement. The fall resulted in an accumulation of blood on his brain, a broken nose, injured foot, and multiple lacerations to his face. Through feverish representation, thorough investigation, and an understanding of recent United States Court of Appeals decisions, our team along with the co-counsel who associated us on the case, negotiated a $900,000.00 pre-suit settlement with the Town of Kingstree in just 26 days on November 10, 2017: representing one of the quickest and most considerable law-enforcement settlements pre-suit for the use of a taser in the history of South Carolina. On November 17, 2017, the Town of Kingstree in unprecedented fashion issued a public apology to our client, stating in part: “We are aware that Mr. Chatfield sustained unforeseen and unintended injuries during the incident. We are sorry that he was injured.”
WRONGFUL DEATH/TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT
$900,000.00Our client’s mother, who was a Bamberg City Councilwoman, was tragically killed when she collided with the rear of a tractor trailer. With a detailed analysis of the scene, vehicle, and reconstruction of the accident, we were able to show that the accident was unavoidable, and the tractor trailer driver recklessly attempted a U-turn from the right lane of the highway, cutting off client mother’s lane of travel and causing the accident. Settlement was reached within four months of the accident and without filing a lawsuit.
WRONGFUL DEATH/BAR SHOOTING
$805,000.00Our client was attending an event at an establishment when he was shot and killed. We alleged negligent security resulting in the wrongful death of client and were able to obtain an $805,000.00 settlement on behalf of the deceased’s estate.
NEGLIGENCE/NAIL SALON
CONFIDENTIAL, COLLECTIVE SIX-FIGURE SETTLEMENTOur clients alleged infectious injury as a result of receiving manicure/pedicure services at a nail salon. Through aggressive pre-litigation tactics and investigation, and shortly after filing individual lawsuits on behalf of our clients, we were able to negotiate the settlement of each case, collectively in excess of six-figures
NEGLIGENCE/BANKING INSTITUTION
CONFIDENTIAL, SIX-FIGURE SETTLEMENTBanking institution provided ATM video images to a law enforcement agency upon the agency’s request. Our client was wrongfully arrested when the agency used the images to implicate her in a crime of which she had no involvement. All charges against our client were also dismissed.
NURSING HOME NEGLECT/WRONGFUL DEATH
CONFIDENTIAL, SIX-FIGURE SETTLEMENTWe were retained to represent the estate of a woman who passed away after first acquiring a bed sore in a nursing home and quickly deteriorating thereafter. After a thorough review of her nursing home chart, we were able to determine that the facility failed to adequately document her care. After filing suit and taking the deposition of the facility administrator, we reached a six-figure settlement with the facility.
HAZING/SCHOOL DISTRICT GROSS NEGLIGENCE
SIX-FIGURE SETTLEMENTClient was injured when hazed by teammates during a high school football camp. Through effective publicity management of the incident and aggressive litigation tactics, we were able to obtain a six-figure settlement on behalf of our client.
NEGLIGENCE/UNLAWFUL USE OF FORCE – CONFIDENTIAL SIX-FIGURE SETTLEMENT
Our client was involved in a domestic disturbance call placed to a Sheriff’s Department. During law enforcement’s response to the call, our client was coerced into performing a sex act on a deputy. We were able to determine that the deputy involved was uncertified by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy at the time and in the department’s Field Training Program. Through aggressive pre-litigation tactics, we were able to reach a successful pre-suit settlement on our client’s behalf.
NEGLIGENCE/UNLAWFUL USE OF FORCE – CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT
Our client was in a public location when she was threatened under duress by and on-duty officer to the side of a building. The officer then forced himself on her. After filing suit, we were able to settle the matter on behalf of our client for a favorable amount.
NEGLIGENCE/HARRASSMENT
Our client was a customer of a store when harassed by store employees on multiple occasions. We were able to resolve the matter pre-suit on behalf of the client for a favorable amount despite the client not suffering any documented injury.
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NEGLIGENCE/TRACTOR TRAILER WRECK
20x Medical BillsOur client, a passenger in a vehicle, was involved in a head-on collision with another driver when a tractor trailer driver disregarded a stop sign and pulled out into the highway. After the collision, the tractor trailer driver left the scene and was later caught by law enforcement. After filing a lawsuit, we feverishly fought for our client, including traveling out of state for depositions. With trial set for a few weeks away, we negotiated a favorable settlement for our client in an amount equal to approximately 20 times our client’s medical expenses.
NEGLIGENCE/TRACTOR TRAILER WRECK
30x Medical BillsOur client driver was involved in a head-on collision with another driver when a tractor trailer driver disregarded a stop sign and pulled out into the highway. After the collision, the tractor trailer driver left the scene and was later caught by law enforcement. After filing a lawsuit, we feverishly fought for our client, including traveling out of state for depositions. With trial set for a few weeks away, we negotiated a favorable settlement for our client in an amount equal to approximately 30 times our client’s medical expenses.
NEGLIGENCE/COMPANY VEHICLE WRECK – CONFIDENTIAL SIX-FIGURE SETTLEMENT
Our clients were traveling on the highway when they collided head-on with a vehicle being driven in the wrong lane. The driver was in a company vehicle and under the influence. We were able to negotiate a confidential six-figure settlement on behalf of two clients as well as a settlement more than 10x medical bills for two others prior to the commencement of a lawsuit.
NEGLIGENCE/TRACTOR TRAILER WRECK
Our client was traveling on the highway, slowing for traffic when a tractor trailer rear-ended a vehicle and pushed that vehicle into our client. The highest offer made by the trucking company pre-suit was $15,500. After filing suit and aggressively litigating the matter, we were able to negotiate a favorable settlement at mediation for an amount in excess of 5x the highest pre-suit offer.
NEGLIGENCE/TRACTOR TRAILER WRECK
9x Medical BillsOur client driver was involved in a T-bone style collision with a tractor trailer when the tractor operator attempted to cut across the highway, failing to yield. Despite our aggressive pre-suit negotiations and legal argument, the insurance company would not adequately compensate our client. Within one week of filing the lawsuit and before the pleadings were served on the named defendants, the carrier increased their settlement offer by approximately 50%, resulting in a total settlement of almost 10x our client’s medical bills.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
20x Medical BillsOur client was involved in a minor rear-end accident and had one visit to his primary care physician. Despite minimal visible property damage and treatment, we were able to secure a settlement 20x our client’s medical bills, which were less than $500.00.
DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT
LIABILITY AND UIM POLICY LIMITSOur clients were rear-ended by a drunk driver. Despite moderate treatment, we were able to secure both Liability and UIM Policy Limits for each client without providing any medical documentation or billing records to the insurance company.
DRUNK DRIVING SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT
LIABILITY AND UIM POLICY LIMITSOur clients were passengers in a vehicle driven by a third party who was under the influence of alcohol. The driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in injury to our clients. The insurance company argued that our clients “assumed the risk” of voluntarily riding with a drunk driver. Undeterred, we fought back, utilizing South Carolina’s Tyger River Doctrine to demand policy limits. After the insurance company missed the time-sensitive settlement deadline, we were able to secure a settlement in excess of the insurance policy limits. We were also able to recover policy limits from ours client’s UIM carrier.
VEHICLE VERSUS PEDESTRIAN
POLICY LIMITSOur client was hit by a vehicle while walking down the highway in the road while under the influence of alcohol. Unfortunately, our client passed away from the injuries. The Highway Patrol determined that our client was at-fault and contributed to the collision and the vehicle operator was not. Through accident reconstruction, specifically light visibility and vehicle speed analysis, we were able to secure a settlement equal to the policy limits of the vehicle operator.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
POLICY LIMITSWe have represented many clients who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents and, through the aggressive pursuit of claims, we have successfully obtained settlements for those clients in an amount equal to the available policy limits of insurance held by the at-fault party. Our ability to obtain insurance policy limits on a client’s behalf is dependent upon the client’s specific injuries, dynamics of the subject accident, and the at-fault party’s available policy limits of insurance.
SINGLE CAR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
LIABILITY & UIM POLICY LIMITSOur client was severely injured, suffering a broken neck requiring surgical repair, when the driver of a vehicle in which she was a passenger lost control of the vehicle. We were able to obtain all available liability insurance policy limits as well as our client’s underinsured motorist coverage policy limits on her at home vehicle.
SINGLE CAR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
LIABILITY & UIM POLICY LIMITSOur client was injured when the driver of a vehicle lost control, resulting in our client being ejected through the sunroof of the vehicle in which he was a backseat passenger. We were able to obtain all available liability insurance policy limits as well as our client’s underinsured motorist coverage policy limits on his at home vehicle.
SINGLE CAR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
LIABILITY & UIM POLICY LIMITSOur client, who was a passenger, was injured when her mother lost control of a vehicle she was driving. We were able to obtain all available liability insurance policy limits as well as our client’s underinsured motorist coverage policy limits on her at home vehicle.
PARKING LOT MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
SIGNIFICANT SETTLEMENTOur client was sitting in a parked vehicle in a parking lot when rear-ended by the at-fault party, who was backing out of a parking spot. Despite the relatively low impact collision and minimal medical treatment, we were able to obtain a settlement more than five times her medical bills.
SINGLE CAR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
LIABILITY POLICY LIMITSOur client was riding with a friend when the friend, driving too fast for conditions, hit a downed tree in the roadway, causing significant injuries to client. We were able to obtain all available liability insurance policy limits.
MOTOR VEHICLE VERSUS PEDESTRIAN
LIABILITY POLICY LIMITSOur client, a minor, was struck by a car when she walked into the roadway to head towards the football stadium for a high school football game. Despite disputed and contested liability, we were able to secure the policy limits of the car’s driver.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
CONFIDENTIAL SIX FIGURE SETTLEMENTOur client was injured when his motorcycle left the roadway to avoid rear-ending a vehicle that had come to an abrupt stop due to another vehicle entering its lane of travel. Due to our efforts in speaking with witnesses, evaluating the scene, and conducting a thorough investigation, we were able to secure a six-figure settlement although our client incurred a relatively minor amount of medical bills and suffered no permanent injury.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
SETTLEMENT IN EXCESS OF POLICY LIMITSClient was involved in a collision when defendant driver ran a red light. We demanded policy limits for our injured client, whose medical bills totaled approximately $8,000. After the insurance company balked at our attempts to have our client reasonably compensated, we filed a lawsuit. The defendant driver went into default for failing to answer and, despite the insurance company having received a courtesy copy of the Complaint, no attorney appeared on behalf of the defendant. We then negotiated a settlement in excessive of the defendant’s insurance policy limits, arguing the insurance company acted in bad faith by its inadequate adjusting of the claims brought against its insured. Prior to filing suit, the insurance company’s highest settlement offer was $9,000.
MOTOR VEHICLE VS. PEDESTRIAN
POLICY LIMITSOur client was injured when she was struck by a car while riding her bicycle in the roadway. Although both parties were identified as contributing to the accident on the police report, we were able to successfully negotiate a settlement of our client’s claims against the driver for the policy limits of the driver’s insurance.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT/HEAD-ON-COLLISION
SIX-FIGURE SETTLEMENTOur client was traveling on Interstate 77 when a driver, traveling inattentively and too fast for conditions, left her lane of travel, crossed the median, and struck out client head-on, resulting in serious and traumatic bodily injury. After just months of aggressive pre-litigation tactics, we were able to obtain a successful six-figure settlement. We also successfully negotiated with Medicare to substantially reduce our client’s outstanding Medicare lien, ensuring our client received as much compensation in pocket as possible to assist with her future medical care and bill.
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AT-FAULT CAR ACCIDENT
$1,150,000.00Our client was injured on the job while operating a motor vehicle, suffering paralysis. Despite being found at fault, we were able to negotiate a resolution that included medical care and substantial payment for client’s injuries.
WORKERS COMPENSATION/TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT
SIX FIGURE SETTLEMENTOur clients lost a loved one when she unfortunately collided with a tractor trailer. Through a contested Workers Compensation dependency hearing, we were able to prove that both clients were dependent on the income of their loved one, and the employer was ordered by the South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission to pay over six figures in death benefits to our clients.
TRUCK DRIVER INJURY
SIX FIGURE SETTLEMENTOur client was a truck driver delivering a load to a third party. Once at the dock, our client lost his footing resulting in injury. We were able to ensure that our client received his paychecks on time during the pendency of the Workers Compensation action, the same resulting in our client receiving a lump sum, sig-figure payment.
ON THE JOB INJURY/SEXUAL ASSAULT
CONFIDENTIAL SIX FIGURE SETTLEMENTOur client was an employee and sexually assaulted in her workplace by an unknown assailant. We negotiated a pre-suit, confidential, six figure global settlement on her behalf.
ON THE JOB INJURY/MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
SIX FIGURE SETTLEMENTOur client suffered serious on the job injury while working as a South Carolina State Trooper, including a broken ankle requiring surgical repair, after an automobile accident that occurred when a S.C. Department of Transportation truck failed to yield the right-of-way, causing a massive collision between the truck and our client’s vehicle. In addition to settling our client’s Workers Compensation claim for a significant amount, we negotiated a six-figure settlement on his behalf for his third party liability claim against the S.C. Department of Transportation.
ON THE JOB INJURY/MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
LIABILITY & UIM POLICY LIMITSOur client was injured while on the job when the work truck he was riding in was rear-ended by a non-attentive driver. We were able to obtain all available liability insurance policy limits as well as our client’s underinsured motorist coverage policy limits on his at home vehicle.
