Georgia Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing someone you love is never easy. But, it can be especially difficult when you know that loss was caused by someone else’s carelessness or recklessness. In those situations, your loss may be sudden and devastating, and leaves you with the injustice of knowing it was preventable. And you may find yourself facing financial repercussions on top of the pain of losing your loved one. That’s why Georgia law allows some family members to assert a wrongful death claim to deal with your loved one’s death from a financial perspective. If you think you may have a right to a wrongful death claim, you need to talk to a Georgia wrongful death lawyer.

We’re here for you. Our attorneys know how difficult this situation is for you and your family—because we’ve helped countless others get through it. We believe that your loved one can never be replaced, and we know there is nothing Georgia law can do to truly compensate you for your loss. But, a financial recovery may be available to help you navigate this difficult time. Let our experienced and compassionate attorneys help you enforce your rights. Call us at 888-553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.

What is a wrongful death claim?

When someone is killed because of another person’s carelessness or recklessness, the family can bring a legal action known as a wrongful death claim. The purpose of this claim is to recover financial damages to replace lost income, cover any costs related to the death, and offset the impact of losing a loved one. They can be as simple as an insurance claim, but in many cases they will involve a lawsuit. Most are resolved without ever going to court.

The damages you can recover will usually include things like:

• Loss of income for the family
• Forfeiture of the relationship that you loved one provided as a spouse, parent, or child
• Loss of benefits that would have been available had your loved one continued working (retirement, health insurance, etc.)
• Funeral or burial expenses
• Pain and suffering or mental anguish caused by your loved one’s death

The family can also receive damages associated with losses that your loved one would have experienced before their death, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering that your loved one experienced before passing away

That means that there are essentially two types of damages in a wrongful death claim. One kind is based on the loss of the loved one to your family; the second type is based on your loved one’s own losses and suffering prior their death. The second type of damages is generally recoverable by your loved one’s estate.

What should I do if I think I have a wrongful death claim?

Losing a loved in a sudden accident will likely be shocking. It will take time not only to accept that your loved one is gone but also to make arrangements for your loss, such as planning their funeral and dealing with estate issues. This period can be incredibly stressful, and it’s okay to take steps to deal with immediate issues like the funeral before you can start thinking about a wrongful death claim.

(Addressing burial and funeral needs will generally be the same regardless of how a loved one died, but when an accident occurs, you or your loved one may not have had the time or wherewithal to plan for these things. You may need to think about what your loved one would have wanted for their funeral or burial for the first time—and this entire process can be very difficult. Avoid making sudden decisions, like accepting an insurance company’s first offer, until you have the time to get legal advice.)

Once things calm down, the best thing you can do is to talk to a wrongful death lawyer in Georgia. Your lawyer should be compassionate and understanding of your priorities. They will be able to walk you through your options after your loss and help you take the next steps in the legal process. They can also help you do an investigation and gather information, which can become crucial evidence in proving your claim. You don’t have to go through this process alone—you will have enough things to worry about as it is after the loss of your loved one.

If the accident that killed your loved one was in the news, you can expect that several attorneys will attempt to contact you to discuss your legal options. Keep in mind that you don’t have to use the first lawyer that talks to you about your case. Take your time and reach out to an attorney that seems like a good fit when you are ready. You can meet with several attorneys to see which one is the right fit for your needs—getting the right attorney for your case is going to very important.

How long do I have to sue after a loved one is killed in Georgia?

Georgia does have a deadline for wrongful death cases. It is generally two years from the date of your loved one’s death. Note that this not two years from the accident—it is two years from the date of death. In many situations, those dates will be the same, but that’s not always true.

Although two years may seem like a long time, keep in mind all of the other issues you’re going through at the same time. For example:

• Dealing with your loved one’s estate and related matters can take significant time and effort on its own.
• The legal case itself will take time, and your lawyer may need to do substantial investigation before formally filing. Unfortunately, the clock is ticking from the very start.
• In many cases, it’s not appropriate to close the estate first and think about a wrongful death suit second. The estate may need to assert the wrongful death claim, or at least be involved in the lawsuit, which means that closing the estate before starting the wrongful death claim could cut off some of your rights in this type of case. So you need to use those two years wisely.

Getting legal help from the start means you don’t have to stress about the deadline. Talk to a Georgia wrongful death attorney to ensure that you are not losing any of your rights—or any money damages—by taking inappropriate action.

Talk to a Georgia Wrongful Death Lawyer for Free

We know making the first step toward talking to a wrongful death lawyer in Georgia can be very difficult. But, your family needs that money to support itself and rebuild after this loss—and it’s your legal right. Let us give you a FREE consultation. Call us at 888-553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.