Georgia Wrongful Death Attorneys: Justice for Your Loved One

Georgia Wrongful Death Attorneys: Justice for Your Loved One

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct is a devastating experience. Beyond the emotional toll, families are often left dealing with financial hardships, unanswered questions, and the pursuit of justice. At 770GoodLaw, we understand the challenges grieving families face, and we are committed to helping you hold negligent parties accountable while securing the financial compensation your family deserves.

Wrongful death claims in Georgia allow families to seek justice when a preventable death occurs due to another party’s carelessness, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing. While no amount of money can replace a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit can provide financial security and help families move forward. Understanding your rights, who can file a claim, and what compensation is available is essential to navigating this difficult legal process.

What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death in Georgia?

A wrongful death lawsuit arises when a person dies due to another party’s negligent or intentional act. Wrongful death cases can result from many different situations, including:

• Car accidents caused by reckless, impaired, or distracted drivers
• Truck accidents due to driver fatigue, improper maintenance, or overloaded cargo
• Motorcycle accidents where a driver fails to yield or acts carelessly
• Medical malpractice, including surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or medication mistakes
• Workplace accidents, particularly in hazardous industries such as construction
• Defective products that cause fatal injuries due to design or manufacturing defects
• Premises liability incidents, including fatal slip and fall accidents
• Criminal acts, such as assault, homicide, or intentional harm

In order to pursue a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must prove that another party’s negligence or misconduct directly led to the victim’s death and resulted in economic and emotional damages for surviving family members.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?

Not everyone can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Georgia law prioritizes who has the legal right to file a claim, ensuring that only immediate family members or legal representatives can take action. The order of eligibility is as follows:

1. The Surviving Spouse

If the deceased was married, the surviving spouse has the first right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the deceased also had minor children, the spouse must represent their interests in the claim. However, Georgia law states that the spouse must receive no less than one-third of the total settlement, no matter how many children are involved.

2. The Deceased’s Children

If there is no surviving spouse, the deceased’s children have the right to file a claim. This applies to both minor and adult children. If the children are under 18, a guardian may need to file on their behalf.

3. The Deceased’s Parents

If the deceased had no spouse or children, either parent has the legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This applies regardless of whether the deceased was a minor or an adult at the time of their death.

4. The Personal Representative of the Estate

If no surviving spouse, children, or parents are available, a representative of the deceased’s estate may file the wrongful death claim. In this case, any awarded compensation is held by the estate and distributed to the deceased’s next of kin according to Georgia’s inheritance laws.

Understanding who can file a claim is critical to ensuring that the right party seeks justice for their loved one.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Wrongful death lawsuits are designed to compensate surviving family members for the financial and emotional losses suffered due to their loved one’s death. The damages fall into two primary categories:

1. The Full Value of the Life of the Deceased

✔ Lost income and benefits that the deceased would have provided to their family
✔ Loss of future earnings, including salary, bonuses, and retirement contributions
✔ Loss of companionship, care, and emotional support
✔ Emotional distress and pain suffered by surviving family members

2. Financial Losses Related to the Death

✔ Medical expenses incurred before the deceased passed away
✔ Funeral and burial costs
✔ Pain and suffering endured by the deceased before death

Georgia does not typically award punitive damages in wrongful death cases unless the at-fault party’s actions were intentional or involved extreme recklessness.

How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Families have a limited amount of time to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits in Georgia is two years from the date of death. However, certain circumstances may extend or shorten this deadline:

• If the wrongful death involves a criminal case, the deadline may be paused until the case is resolved.
• If the deceased’s estate is not settled, the statute of limitations may be extended to five years.
• If the wrongful death involves a government agency, special notice requirements and deadlines may apply.

Failing to file within the statute of limitations can prevent the family from recovering any compensation, making it essential to act as soon as possible.

Why You Need a Wrongful Death Attorney

Filing a wrongful death lawsuit is a complex legal process, and insurance companies often try to minimize or deny claims. Hiring a skilled wrongful death attorney ensures that:

• The right family member files the lawsuit
• The case is supported by strong evidence
• Insurance companies do not take advantage of grieving families
• The maximum possible compensation is pursued

An experienced wrongful death lawyer will handle all legal aspects of the case, including investigating the accident, gathering evidence, negotiating settlements, and representing the family in court.

How 770GoodLaw Can Help

At 770GoodLaw, we know that no amount of money can bring back a loved one, but holding the responsible party accountable can provide families with closure and financial security.

Why Families Trust 770GoodLaw:

✔ Free consultations to discuss your case
✔ No upfront costs – We only get paid if you win
✔ Aggressive representation to secure the highest possible compensation
✔ Trial-ready attorneys prepared to take your case to court if necessary

If your loved one’s death was caused by someone else’s negligence, don’t wait. Contact 770GoodLaw today for a free consultation, and let us fight for the justice your family deserves.