Georgia Wrongful Death Attorneys: Seeking Justice for Your Family

Georgia Wrongful Death Attorneys: Seeking Justice for Your Family

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions is an unimaginable tragedy. The emotional and financial burden on families can be overwhelming, and the legal complexities of a wrongful death lawsuit can make the process even more challenging. At 770GoodLaw, we are committed to helping families seek justice and secure financial compensation to cover medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, and the emotional impact of their loss.

If you have lost a family member due to another party’s recklessness, negligence, or misconduct, understanding your legal rights and who can file a wrongful death claim in Georgia is the first step in holding the responsible party accountable.

What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death in Georgia?

A wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a direct result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing. In Georgia, wrongful death lawsuits are filed on behalf of the deceased’s surviving family members to help them recover financial compensation for their loss.

Common causes of wrongful death cases include:

• Car accidents involving reckless or impaired drivers
• Truck accidents caused by driver fatigue or company negligence
• Motorcycle crashes where drivers fail to yield or drive carelessly
• Medical malpractice, including misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, or prescription errors
• Workplace accidents resulting from unsafe working conditions
• Defective products that cause fatal injuries due to design or manufacturing flaws
• Premises liability accidents, such as fatal slip and falls on dangerous properties
• Violent crimes or intentional harm, including assault and homicide

To pursue a wrongful death claim, the plaintiff must prove that another party’s actions directly caused the death and resulted in financial and emotional harm to surviving family members.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?

Georgia law has strict rules on who is eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The order of priority is as follows:

1. The Surviving Spouse

If the deceased was married, their spouse has the first legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the deceased also had minor children, the spouse must represent their interests in the claim. However, the law states that the spouse must receive no less than one-third of the total settlement, regardless of the number of children 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 legal guardian may need to represent them in court.

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 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. Any compensation awarded will be held by the estate and distributed to the deceased’s heirs according to Georgia’s inheritance laws.

What Compensation Is Available in a Georgia Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

A wrongful death lawsuit seeks to provide surviving family members with financial compensation for the full value of the deceased’s life. Compensation can be awarded for both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages (Financial Losses)

✔ Medical expenses related to the deceased’s final treatments
✔ Funeral and burial costs
✔ Lost wages and financial contributions the deceased would have provided
✔ Loss of future benefits, such as pensions, insurance, or retirement savings

Non-Economic Damages (Personal & Emotional Losses)

✔ Pain and suffering endured by surviving family members
✔ Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support
✔ Emotional distress and mental anguish

Estate Claims

✔ Pain and suffering the deceased experienced before passing
✔ Medical bills paid by the estate before death

While Georgia law does not typically award punitive damages in wrongful death cases, an exception may be made if the defendant’s actions were intentional, malicious, or involved extreme recklessness.

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

The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits in Georgia is two years from the date of death. However, certain circumstances can 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 was caused by a government agency, different filing deadlines may apply.

Failing to file within the statute of limitations can result in the family losing the right to seek compensation, making it crucial to act as soon as possible.

Why You Need a Wrongful Death Attorney

Wrongful death cases are complex and often involve large insurance companies, corporations, or medical institutions that try to deny liability or offer low settlements. Hiring an experienced wrongful death attorney ensures that:

• The correct family member files the claim in accordance with Georgia law
• The case is investigated thoroughly to build strong evidence
• Insurance companies are held accountable and do not take advantage of grieving families
• The maximum possible compensation is pursued on behalf of the deceased’s loved ones

A wrongful death attorney will handle all legal aspects of the case, including filing paperwork, negotiating settlements, and representing the family in court if necessary.

How 770GoodLaw Can Help

At 770GoodLaw, we understand that no amount of compensation can replace the loss of a loved one. However, filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help provide financial security for the deceased’s family while ensuring that negligent parties are held accountable.

Why Families Trust 770GoodLaw:

✔ Free consultations to evaluate your case
✔ No upfront costs – We don’t get paid unless you win
✔ Aggressive representation to fight for the highest possible settlement
✔ 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.