How Our Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorneys Can Help
When a potential client reaches out to us after the loss of a loved one, our first step is to determine whether they have a viable wrongful death claim.
You deserve legal representation for the wrongful death of your loved one.
A wrongful death attorney can help you pursue justice on behalf of a loved one whose death was caused by another person’s or company’s negligence.
Wrongful Death Attorney Atlanta
Wrongful death refers to the death of a person caused by the intentional, reckless, or negligent act of another person, company, or institution. Many incidents may qualify as “wrongful death” under the law, and the victim’s family may be entitled to seek justice on their loved one’s behalf by filing a legal claim.
In most states, including Georgia, money damages may be recovered in the civil courts from any party whose actions caused or contributed to the death of the victim. The victim’s family may recover damages for the full value of the life of the victim, for the pain and suffering experienced by the victim prior to their death, and for funeral and burial expenses.
If you believe a loved one’s death may have been caused by another person’s or company’s negligence, Deitch & Rogers can help you pursue justice.
For a claim to be viable, there must be evidence that another person or entity, such as a motorist, a physician, a landlord or other property owner or manager was negligent or deliberate in causing or allowing the death.
Some common incidents that may support a civil claim for wrongful death include:
- Failure to keep a property safe and free of potentially fatal hazards, also known as premises liability
- Armed robbery, shooting or stabbing death on apartment or hotel property
- Carjacking death in parking lot of shopping mall
- Shooting of innocent bystander related to drug or gang violence
- Workplace violence or shootings
- Mass shootings
- Vehicular homicide, DUI, or reckless driving
The spouse, child, or other legal representative of the deceased may file a civil lawsuit against those responsible for the death. In Georgia, the lawsuit must generally be filed within two years after the death. This time limit may be extended in the event the death was the result of a criminal act.
When a wrongful death lawsuit is settled before going to trial, or when a jury awards damages at trial, the settlement or judgment is intended to provide monetary compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased. The amount of compensation is based on an evaluation of the value of the life of the deceased had his or her life not been cut short.
In addition to “value of life” damages, additional monies may be recovered to compensate for the deceased person’s pain and suffering in the event that he or she was conscious between the time of injury and death, and to reimburse for medical and funeral expenses. These damages, if awarded, are generally made part of the deceased’s estate and are separate from any amounts that may represent the legal value of the victim’s life.
Contact an Atlanta Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you think your loved one’s death was the fault of another, contact us before you sign any papers regarding the death — especially an insurance company’s offer of settlement.
We understand that no one would be willing to part with a loved one in exchange for any sum of money, and we agree that it is impossible to replace the life of a human being with money. However, monetary compensation is the only remedy our legal system can provide in a wrongful death case. At Deitch + Rogers, our goal is to maximize that remedy to achieve lasting justice for the lost loved one and their family.
An Atlanta wrongful death attorney at Deitch + Rogers will discuss your case with you in private and advise you and your family of your rights. We understand that this is a difficult and emotional time, and we are interested and available to help you make a decision that best honors the memory and loss of your loved one.
See how we can help today.
Please call (770) 394-9000 to schedule a free initial consultation, or contact our lawyers directly through the email form.
