Alpharetta, GA Wrongful Death Lawyers

Each year, preventable accidents in Alpharetta result in senseless fatalities. Many deaths that could be prevented result from pedestrian accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, defective products, and more. If you lost your spouse, child, or another family member due to this type of accident, our wrongful death lawyers understand how difficult the situation can be. We are extremely sorry for your situation and hate that you have to search for wrongful death attorneys rather than spend time with the person you lost. If you lose a loved one due to wrongful death, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit to seek compensation and pay for burial costs, pain and suffering, loss of income, and other damages you have incurred. Our legal team offers skilled and compassionate services for those who are going through a wrongful death situation in Georgia. At the Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines, you can count on our team to help you hold the liable parties responsible. We will work to help you seek compensation and ensure your family can move on from this tragic event. Our team takes on a limited number of wrongful death cases annually to ensure that we can provide each case with the attention it deserves. If you believe we could help with your case and situation, contact us when you are ready. Hiring a wrongful death lawyer in Alpharetta is something we hope you will never have to do; however, we are here when you need us.

Understanding Wrongful Death in Georgia

Georgia law defines wrongful death as the death of someone caused by another person or party’s intentional, negligent, criminal, or reckless act. Usually, wrongful death cases occur because of negligent conduct. Negligence is a term used to describe actions where the at-fault party did not exercise reasonable care in a situation where they should have. It also results in this failure leading to the injury or death of another person.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia?

According to Georgia law, only certain people can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Based on the state law, the following people are allowed to bring this type of suit:

Spouse of the Deceased Person

The deceased person’s spouse is one person who can legally file a wrongful death lawsuit. The spouse may also file on behalf of the deceased person’s children who are under the age of 18. Spouses are entitled to receive at least one-third of the financial recovery earned from a wrongful death claim.

Parents of the Deceased Person

If the person who died was not married, did not have a surviving spouse, and did not have children, then their parents can file a wrongful death claim.

Representative of the Deceased Person’s Estate

In some situations, a wrongful death claim can also be filed by a designated representative of the deceased person’s estate. In this situation, the damages that are received are required to go to the estate and then distributed to their next-of-kin.

What Will a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Cover?

There are two types of wrongful death claims recognized in Georgia. The first is to establish the full value of the deceased’s life. The surviving family members of the deceased person file this claim. The total value of a Georgia wrongful death claim will be determined by looking at the life of the person who passed away. Usually, there are two parts considered when determining the full value of life. The most important part of wrongful death damages includes intangible factors. This includes the value of meeting life milestones, enjoying hobbies, raising a family, and spending time with family and friends. The second part of determining the “full value of life” is the tangible elements. The person who files a wrongful death claim could recover the money the deceased person would have earned if they lived. They can also recover the value of the deceased person’s household services. Along with a wrongful death claim, you can speak to your wrongful death attorneys near Alpharetta to learn if you can file a claim on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. The claim for their estate is designed to cover the losses of the estate due to the person’s death. Some of the damages that you can recover include:
  • Medical costs: This includes any costs related to the person’s injury or illness before they passed away.
  • Burial or funeral costs: All costs related to the person’s funeral and burial can be recovered.
  • Pain and suffering: This refers to any pain and suffering the deceased person experienced before they died.
  • Punitive damages: Some cases award punitive damages if the cause of the person’s death resulted from an egregious act.

The Importance of Hiring an Attorney to Help with a Wrongful Death Claim

You should hire an attorney who has experience handling wrongful death claims in Georgia. This will ensure they understand the legal process that this claim follows. The resources, experience, and skills of the wrongful death attorney you hire will be invaluable assets when it comes to the success of your claim. Remember, these cases are often complex and time-consuming, so having a legal professional representing your interests is important. At the Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines, you can feel confident that the attorney you work with will be ready to help you build a strong case and ensure that you recover the damages you deserve. The first step is to contact our office and schedule a free consultation. Our team will review the facts of your case and begin the process of filing a wrongful death claim on your behalf. We are here to provide professional legal services, support, and guidance during this difficult time. The first step is to get in touch and let us know about your situation.