Duluth Wrongful Death Lawyer
Nothing is more tragic than losing a loved one in an unexpected accident or incident caused by someone else’s behavior. At Bridger Law Group, our compassionate personal injury lawyers are here to guide you through the process of seeking justice and accountability for your tremendous loss. We can outline your legal rights and options during a free consultation.
How Does Georgia Define Wrongful Death?
Georgia defines a wrongful death as a death another party causes without legal justification. Death could be due to intentional or criminal conduct – such as homicide. It could be due to recklessness – such as driving while drunk. Or, it could be caused by negligence – such as a car accident.
Wrongful death claims are separate from any underlying criminal investigations. Common causes of negligent-based wrongful death claims include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog bites
The best way to determine if you have legal grounds to file a wrongful death claim is to speak to an experienced accident lawyer in Duluth.
Wrongful Death Claim Damages
Georgia’s Wrongful Death Act allows certain family members to pursue compensation for the full value of the victim’s life, which may provide money for:
- The income your loved one would have earned had they lived, based on a reasonable life expectancy
- Lost employment and retirement benefits
- The value of services the decedent would have performed, such as housekeeping or childcare
- Lost quality of life and loss of consortium
These losses are from the victim’s perspective. A Duluth, GA wrongful death attorney can help determine the damages you can seek and fight for maximum recovery.
Estate Claim Damages
In addition to any wrongful death claim, the estate may have the right to file a claim for losses it experienced due to the premature death. The estate may be able to seek compensation for:
- Burial and funeral costs
- Medical bills for the final illness or injury
- Pain and suffering
- Shock and emotional distress the victim experienced before death
This recovery is separate and in addition to any recovery made through the wrongful death case. We can evaluate your situation and determine if you may be eligible to file an estate claim.
How Long Do We Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?
It’s essential for aggrieved family members to be mindful of the statute of limitations, which sets a strict time limit to take certain legal action. For wrongful death cases in Georgia, claimants must generally file this case within two years of the decedent’s death.
However, some exceptions increase or decrease the time allowed to file this type of case, so it’s best to work with an experienced wrongful death lawyer who can advise you of the time limit that applies to your case.
Contact a Caring Duluth Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you recently lost a loved one, a compassionate Duluth wrongful death lawyer from Bridger Law Group is here to guide you through this difficult time and honor your loved one’s memory. Call us today at (404) 482-3330 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
