Columbus Wrongful Death Attorney
Did you lose your loved one under circumstances where another person’s behavior was to blame? If so, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim. Georgia’s Wrongful Death Act allows certain family members to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for damages another party caused when they are legally responsible for a death without legal justification.
At Bridger Law Group, we stand behind grieving families. If you hire our Columbus injury attorneys for legal representation, we will work tirelessly to secure the justice and accountability your family deserves. You can learn more about your legal rights and options by contacting us today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Us?
Choosing the right law firm after the death of a loved one can be incredibly overwhelming. At Bridger Law Group, our team believes you deserve trusted advocates who will stand by you when insurance companies fight your claim and the legal process feels like it’s too much to bear. Some of the advantages of working with Bridger Law Group include:
- Our multilingual team serves you in Spanish, English, and Portuguese to ensure effortless and clear communication throughout your matter.
- We’re available 24/7, so you can get immediate help, day or night, when you need it most.
- With more than 20 years of commitment to our local community, our attorneys have successfully handled over 4,000 clients and cases.
- We’ve recovered over $60 million dollars for injury victims and their loved ones, showing our dedication to securing the results clients deserve.
After losing a loved one, the last thing you should have to do is deal with the complicated legal aspects of the situation. We know money won’t bring back your family member, but it can help you rebuild your life and manage the unexpected costs that come with such a significant loss. At Bridger Law Group, our compassionate and dedicated legal team will take on the legal burdens so you can focus on healing and caring for your family.
What Qualifies at Wrongful Death in Georgia?
In Georgia, a death is considered “wrongful” when it is caused by the negligent, reckless, intentional, or criminal act of another person or a company. This means that if the person had survived, they would have had the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.
Common examples of what qualifies as wrongful death in Georgia include deadly car or truck accidents caused by another driver’s negligence, improper actions by a medical professional, criminal actions like assault or homicide, or defective products that lead to death.
The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to hold the at-fault party responsible and to provide compensation to the surviving family members for the loss of their loved one.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Case in Georgia?
Georgia’s wrongful death law allows certain family members to file a wrongful death case, depending on their relationship to the decedent. The parties who may file this type of case based on the decedent’s marital and parental status include:
- If married at the time of death – The surviving spouse can file a wrongful death claim. If the spouse chooses not to file a claim, the surviving children can bring the claim.
- If unmarried with children – The children can file a wrongful death claim.
- Unmarried with no children – The decedent’s parents can bring the wrongful death claim. They generally split the proceeds of any recovery.
- Unmarried with no children or parents – If the decedent had no spouse, parent, or child, their estate has the right to bring the wrongful death claim. The administrator files the lawsuit.
Our Columbus wrongful death attorneys can evaluate your case and determine whether you have legal grounds to file a wrongful death claim.
Damages Recoverable in a Wrongful Death Case
Through a wrongful death claim, your family may be able to recover compensation for:
- Your loved one’s loss of income, wages, and benefits
- The value of services your loved one would have provided had they lived
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
These losses are based on the victim’s perspective. An experienced attorney from Bridger Law Group can help determine the damages you are entitled to. If your loved one was in a fatal vehicle accident, speak to our car accident lawyers in Columbus to discuss legal options.
What Is the Time Limit to File a Wrongful Death Case?
Generally, family members must file a wrongful death claim within two years of the death under the statute of limitations. However, there are situations when there is more or less time to file a claim. For example, if the claim is against the government, such as if a police officer crashed into a person, the deadline could be shorter. This deadline depends on the branch of government involved but may be as brief as six months.
If your loved one was killed because of a criminal act, Georgia law can toll or extend the statute of limitations. For example, if the defendant was ticketed for an offense, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit can be tolled until the final disposition of the underlying criminal case or for six years, whichever is shorter.
An experienced wrongful death attorney can evaluate your case and ensure you take legal action within the applicable time limit.
How To Prove Negligence in Your Columbus Wrongful Death Case
To win a wrongful death case, you either have to prove that the other party acted negligently or intentionally. To prove negligence, you need to show the four following elements:
Duty of Care
You must first show that the defendant had a legal obligation to act safely and not harm your loved one. For example, this might include showing that a doctor had a doctor-patient relationship with your loved one, or if they were in an accident while driving, it just means showing that all drivers have a duty to drive responsibly.
Breach of Duty
Next, you need to provide evidence that the defendant breached or violated that duty. This could include showing that a doctor made an error or a driver failed to follow the law.
Causation
You must then establish a causal link between the defendant’s breach of duty and your loved one’s death. It’s not enough to show the person acted negligently; their actions must have led to your loved one’s death.
Damages
Finally, you are required to show that you actually suffered harm as a result of the incident. This is usually done by showing medical expenses, lost wages, or emotional distress/physical pain and suffering.
By providing evidence proving each of these elements, you have a strong chance of a successful wrongful death case.
Contact Our Columbus Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free and Confidential Consultation
If you recently lost a loved one due to wrongful death, our wrongful death lawyers in Columbus can help. Call our personal injury attorneys today at (404) 482-3330 for a free case review.
