Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is something no family should have to endure. If you believe another person or entity is responsible for causing your family member’s death, get legal help from the Braselton wrongful death attorneys at BMW Law Group right away. We are passionate about pursuing justice for individuals and families throughout Georgia.
What Qualifies as Wrongful Death?
Georgia has specific laws regarding wrongful death lawsuits. The first is the definition of wrongful death. According to state law, wrongful death is the death of one person caused by someone else’s (a person or entity’s) intentional, criminal, reckless or negligent acts. Negligence describes a level of care that falls below the defendant’s duties, based on the specific situation.
Your family may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim in Braselton if someone other than your loved one caused or substantially contributed to his or her death by committing a careless, reckless or intentional act. Examples of accidents that often result in wrongful death claims in Georgia are car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, violent crimes, falls, workplace accidents and product defect incidents.
What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Worth in Georgia?
There are two types of wrongful death claims in Georgia. The difference lies in the type of monetary compensation available. One is a claim brought to reimburse surviving family members for their losses associated with the deceased person’s death. These losses can include lost wages, lost inheritance, lost care and lost companionship.
The second type of claim seeks to reimburse the deceased person’s estate for the losses it incurred due to the decedent’s death. The estate may receive compensation to cover the deceased person’s final medical bills, for example, as well as funeral and burial costs and the pain and suffering the decedent experienced prior to death. It is possible to file both types of claims simultaneously in Georgia.
Bringing a wrongful death claim is about more than just a monetary recovery for you and your family. It is your chance to hold someone legally accountable for the death of your loved one. This can bring your family a sense of justice and the answers you need to move forward.
How Do You File a Lawsuit for Wrongful Death?
If you believe you have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia, you must do so within two years of the date of your loved one’s death. This is the statute of limitations in Georgia, with limited exceptions. You can file a claim by going to the civil courthouse in the county where the deceased person lived or passed away. If this is Braselton, you will file in either Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall or Jackson County.
Unlike a criminal case, it is up to you and your family to file a wrongful death claim, not the city. You or your Braselton wrongful death lawyer must fill out the required paperwork in its entirety and submit it to the civil courts by the deadline. Your lawyer can also submit any related documents and evidence with your claim, such as medical records and police reports. Then, you will wait for the defendant to respond, at which point your lawyer can take over settlement negotiations for you to fight for the best possible result.
Talk to a Wrongful Death Attorney in Braselton, GA Today
The unexpected loss of a loved one will change your life forever. At BMW Law Group, our personal injury attorneys will work tirelessly to achieve the results your family needs. We can answer your legal questions, listen to your loved one’s story, and give him or her a voice in the civil justice system as your legal representative.
Begin the pursuit of justice with help from our compassionate Braselton wrongful death attorneys. Discuss your case in detail with one of our lawyers during a free consultation. Contact us today.
