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Savannah, GA Wrongful Death Lawyer
Savannah, GA Wrongful Death Attorney
It can be stressful, confusing, and painful to navigate the aftermath of a wrongful death case on your own. Such a situation can be one of the most traumatic events of your life. A wrongful death suit occurs when you lose a loved one due to the negligent actions of another party and then decide to hold them accountable in a court of law. It is important that you take the proper steps to pursue legal action, beginning with contacting a Savannah, GA, wrongful death lawyer.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Suit?
An experienced wrongful death lawyer in Savannah, GA can help you develop your case during this particularly difficult time for you and your family. Building a wrongful death claim can be a daunting process, especially while you are also trying to handle the emotional distress of losing a loved one. Retaining the services of the right lawyer can be the most important decision you make during your case.
Your lawyer may advise you to pursue economic and non-economic damages, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. Choosing which damages to pursue is important, as not every case will have the same factors. Here are some of the specific kinds of damages you can try to recover in a wrongful death suit:
- Lost Wages: It can sometimes be the case that your deceased loved one was the primary source of income in the household. In these cases, the economic loss can be felt dramatically and can have a lasting negative effect on your family’s financial future. You may wish to pursue compensation for lost wages as a result of your loved one’s death. If they missed a lot of work due to their accident prior to their death, you can add that to your claim.
- Medical Losses: Under Georgia state law, the family of the deceased is allowed to pursue compensation for any money that was spent in aiding the recovery of the deceased following their accident but prior to death. In some situations, a loved one’s death occurs after a great deal of time has been spent attempting their recovery. You can pursue compensation for surgery costs, ambulance rides, hospital stays, and even medication costs.
- Funeral Expenses: Saying goodbye to our loved ones can be a costly affair, and Georgia state law allows the deceased’s family to pursue compensation for funeral expenses in the event of a wrongful death. This can include the cost of the casket or cremation, the burial plot, and other additional expenses connected to the funeral itself.
- Survival Action: Georgia law allows for the deceased’s family to pursue additional damages from the liable party through a “survival action.” This kind of suit attempts to seek damages for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, and other damages the decedent would have sued for had they survived their accident.
Wrongful Death Suits From Medical Malpractice
Georgia’s medical malpractice laws are in place to allow patients to pursue damages after suffering improper care from trusted medical professionals. Medical malpractice cases arise when a medical professional breaches an established duty of care by engaging in unethical behavior that harms a patient. They can be tough cases to pursue and win, but not impossible.
To successfully pursue a wrongful death claim through medical malpractice, certain factors have to be proven with the help of evidence and expert witnesses. Those factors may include:
- Duty of Care: You must be able to prove a duty of care that was owed to the patient by the medical professional being investigated.
- Causal Connection: You will need to prove a valid and reasonable connection between the patient’s injuries or death and the medical professional’s breach of conduct.
- Statute of Limitations: You must ensure that your claim is filed within the statute of limitations on medical malpractice cases.
FAQs for Wrongful Death Lawyers
Q: How Much Can You Get From a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Georgia?
A: The amount you can get from a wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia depends on the specific circumstances of your case. Every wrongful death case is different, with situations impacting each individual case. Just because some wrongful death cases in the state end with a hefty payout for the plaintiff, it does not necessarily mean that your settlement amount will be similar. Many different factors will decide the amount, from your lawyer’s negotiation skills to the amount of evidence that proves wrongful death.
Q: Who Can Recover Compensation From a Wrongful Death Case in Georgia?
A: The immediate family of the deceased can recover compensation from a wrongful death suit. The surviving spouse typically takes precedence, but if there is no surviving spouse, then any surviving children will be considered next. If there are no children, the line continues to the parents. If the deceased has no living family, the victim’s estate may execute a wrongful death claim on the victim’s behalf.
Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations in Georgia for Wrongful Death?
A: The statute of limitations in Georgia for wrongful death cases heavily depends on the circumstances of the case. Time can pass quickly when you are trying to recover from your loss, so speaking with a wrongful death attorney soon after your loved one’s death can help ensure you do not miss the deadline. Once the deadline passes, there is almost nothing you can do to recover damages from the at-fault party.
Q: How Is Compensation Decided in a Wrongful Death Case in Georgia?
A: Compensation in a wrongful death case in Georgia is decided based on the circumstances of the death. The total settlement amount will likely reflect a number that represents the full value of the victim’s life, so each settlement amount will be different and have different factors taken into consideration, such as income and retirement plan.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer Soon
It can be frustrating and confusing to try and handle a wrongful death claim on your own. Thankfully, you don’t have to. Reach out to the legal team at Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys. We can help you build your case, gather evidence, and represent your loved one’s interests. Reach out to schedule a consultation with a valued team member.
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