How to Find the Best Wrongful Death Attorney in Valdosta, GA, 2024

Finding a wrongful death attorney can be difficult. You will want someone empathetic, experienced, strong, and respected. Throughout it all, you’ll likely be grieving, so you may want to find someone who can take charge of your case on your behalf and give you time to focus on healing. A good lawyer can handle your case from start to finish with dignity and a wealth of knowledge. Learn how to find the best wrongful death attorney in Valdosta, GA.

What to Consider When Searching for a Wrongful Death Lawyer

A wrongful death case is essentially a personal injury case for a victim who has unfortunately passed away as a result of someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior. Under state law, the surviving family of a wrongful death victim is allowed to pursue damages that represent the full value of their loved one’s life.

An experienced Valdosta, GA wrongful death lawyer can help you work out the most effective way to pursue damages on your loved one’s behalf. Here are some important things to consider in a wrongful death lawyer:

• Track record. You will want to find a wrongful death lawyer with an impressive track record of victories, both in and out of court, in cases that were similar to yours. Real results often work as evidence of a lawyer’s success. When deciding on a lawyer, you may want to ask them about some of their recent successes and whether or not they have experience specifically with cases like yours.
• Specific focus. When you are searching for an experienced wrongful death lawyer, you should narrow your search to law firms that focus on personal injury and wrongful death. The practice of law is very broad with many different kinds of fields.Not all of them are going to be helpful to your specific case. Lawyers who only work on wrongful death cases, or at least handle a great deal of them, are going to know more about the field and how to help you.
• Experience. One of the most important traits you may want your prospective wrongful death lawyer to have is experience. You’ll want a lawyer who has handled cases like yours before and can adopt some past strategies to try and strengthen your case. An experienced wrongful death lawyer may be able to minimize surprises and prepare you for the most likely scenarios going forward.
• Communication. Effective communication can make or break a case. If your lawyer does not share vital information with you, you cannot be expected to trust them enough to handle your case. If your lawyer doesn’t listen to what you are trying to tell them, they won’t know enough about your case to effectively represent you and your interests.
• Reviews. You may want to consider reading up on some client reviews of your prospective lawyer before deciding to hire them for your case. Honest feedback can be beneficial when it comes to deciding on someone to represent you. Typically, a good lawyer will have a large number of reviews and will welcome feedback.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Compensation for Wrongful Death?

A: The compensation for a wrongful death case in Georgia equates to the full value of a loved one’s life, according to state wrongful death statutes. This is a fairly broad term that can encompass multiple different types of compensation, depending on the wrongful death case at hand. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and possibly punitive damages in certain cases.

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death?

A: The statute of limitations for most wrongful death claims is two years. You will likely have two years from the date of the victim’s death to begin filing a wrongful death claim and pursuing compensatory damages on behalf of the deceased. If you fail to file that claim within the two-year window, your case may be thrown out, and you will no longer be able to pursue damages.

Q: Do Most Wrongful Death Suits in Georgia Go to Trial?

A: Typically, no, most wrongful death suits do not make it to trial. Many wrongful death cases reach an agreement out of the courtroom. Your chances of reaching a settlement early on increase if you hire an experienced wrongful death lawyer to handle your case from the start. Whether or not your case will go to trial will depend largely on the details of the case and whether or not both parties are willing to compromise.

Q: Can Siblings Sue for Wrongful Death?

A: No, siblings cannot sue for wrongful death in Georgia. Siblings are not considered to be part of the immediate family that can be a beneficiary of a wrongful death claim. State law declares that the only family members who can pursue a claim for the wrongful death of a loved one are the victim’s surviving spouse, children, and parents in that order. If those family members either don’t exist or have passed on, a representative may be appointed to handle the estate.

Reach Out to an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

Dealing with a wrongful death case can be one of the most challenging and painful experiences of your life, especially if you are dealing with it alone. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can help you make some difficult decisions and keep your case on the right track while you focus on grieving and protecting your family.

The legal team at Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys can provide you with the proper guidance and solid counsel that you may need during this trying time. We can help you build your case, gather the evidence that proves a wrongful death has taken place, and represent your interests against insurance companies. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a valued team member and learn more about how we can help.