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.
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.
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 us today at (404) 482-3330 for a free case review.
