How Wrongful Death Claims Work in Georgia
A wrongful death claim allows surviving family members to seek compensation when a loved one dies because of someone else's negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. In Georgia, the right to file typically belongs to the surviving spouse first, then children, then parents. The claim runs separately from any estate claim, and both can move forward at the same time.
Wrongful death cases cover a wide range of situations, including car accidents, truck crashes, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, and premises liability. If you're not sure whether your situation qualifies, call us. We'll tell you straight.
What Wrongful Death Attorneys Recover for Your Family
Wrongful death lawsuits in Georgia can recover two broad categories of damages. The first is the 'full value of the life' of the person who died, which includes both the economic value of their lost income and the intangible value of their life to themselves. The second covers funeral and burial costs along with any medical expenses incurred before death.
Wrongful death lawyers at Howe.Law document every loss carefully, from future earning projections to the daily companionship your family has lost. Insurance companies minimize these numbers whenever they can. We push back with real evidence.
Wrongful Death vs. Personal Injury: What's the Difference?
A personal injury claim is filed by the person who was hurt. A wrongful death claim is filed on behalf of someone who didn't survive. Both fall under Georgia's personal injury law framework, but wrongful death cases involve different filing rules, different damages, and different deadlines.
Georgia's statute of limitations for wrongful death is generally two years from the date of death, and missing that window means losing the right to recover anything.