Douglasville Wrongful Death Lawyer
Families who experience the unexpected loss of a loved one may end up in a difficult position. Not only must these individuals deal with the emotional trauma of their family member suddenly passing, but they also must take into account how their loved one’s death may affect their future.
Some families are left with astronomical medical bills, funeral costs, and other incidental damages following their family member’s death. Additionally, the incident may limit their ability to support themselves for the future. Pursing a wrongful death claim is one way that a family could provide for their futures.
A Douglasville wrongful death lawyer could assist families in pursuing these claims. An experienced personal injury attorney could identify parties that are liable for the death, measure your family’s losses, and take the burden off your shoulders so you can deal with your loss. En Español.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated §51-4-1, a surviving spouse or a child may recover on behalf of a deceased family member if the death results from a crime or negligent act. In these claims, families may be able to recover for the “full value of a life”, which is how much a case is worth after a jury examines all of the relevant evidence.
As a result, a wrongful death claim may be appropriate following an act of intentional violence or an accident where a defendant was negligent. Some examples of incidents that may lead to a viable claim may include:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle wrecks
- Pedestrian or bicycle collisions
- Medical malpractice claims
- Violent homicides
- Product liability cases
To obtain compensation, a plaintiff must show that the defendant was liable for the act underlying the death. A Douglasville lawyer could help to explain the legal basis for pursuing a wrongful death case.
Who May File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death claims are unique in the world of personal injury law. Unlike most other cases, the plaintiff brings a complaint against a defendant for their actions that harmed a third party. O.C.G.A. §51-4-2 provides that spouses may pursue legal action following the loss of a husband or wife.
If there is no surviving spouse, the decedent’s children have the authority to pursue these claims. O.C.G.A. §51-4-5 grants power to the administrator of a decedent’s estate to pursue a case on behalf of this deceased if there are no surviving spouses or children. A Douglasville wrongful death attorney could determine who may be eligible to file a claim given the situation.
Recoverable Compensation
The purpose of these claims is to collect payments to provide stability and comfort to a decedent’s family members. In general, there is no cap in Douglasville, and courts may award damages as they see fit.
A wrongful death lawyer could help families in Douglasville determine which damages may be available to them. Some sources of compensation in these claims may include:
- Medical and funeral bills
- Lost earnings that the decedent would have earned
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Payments for the pain and suffering of the decedent
Contact a Douglasville Wrongful Death Attorney
Suffering the sudden death of a loved one is never easy to bear. However, it is important to remember that your loved one’s death may implicate another individual, company, or insurance provider. Whether the death is the result of an intentional act of violence or an instance of negligence, the law states that liable parties have the responsibility to pay.
A compassionate Douglasville wrongful death lawyer could help families pursue these claims. They could work diligently to gather evidence and build convincing claims for damages. Contact our caring attorneys today to see how they could help your family.
