Duluth Wrongful Death Lawyer
Losing a loved one due to someone’s actions or negligence is one of the most difficult experiences you may endure in your lifetime. While nothing can bring your loved one back, Georgia law allows close relatives of the deceased person to pursue legal action against the party who caused the fatal injuries.
The Duluth wrongful death lawyers at Scholle Law can help you navigate the complex issues that surround this type of legal action. Fair compensation can provide some peace of mind for you and your family during this difficult time.
The compassionate attorneys at Scholle Law understand how difficult this time of your life is. We will do all we can to take the burden of recovering compensation off your shoulders so you and your family can focus on healing. Call us at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Duluth wrongful death lawyer today.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death is any death caused by reckless, negligent, or intentional actions of another person. There are many different causes of wrongful death claims. The most common include:
Grieving family members may be uncertain about filing a lawsuit during this stressful time. A Duluth wrongful death lawyer can address your concerns. We will handle your case from start to finish so you can focus on what is most important.
Your case may be high stakes. If the deceased was the primary earner of your household, your family will need financial assistance. The deceased’s injuries may have caused significant expenses like medical bills and funeral costs. Obtaining compensation through a wrongful death claim may ease the financial burden.
What Damages May Be Claimed in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Georgia’s state laws discuss the types of damages that you can receive after a wrongful death. Georgia’s statutes permit three categories of compensatory damages for surviving loved ones:
- The full value of the deceased’s life
- Funeral and estate-related expenses
- Medical expenses, plus pain and suffering, directly related to the fatal accident
Your attorney will argue for interest payments if appropriate. This would increase the amount of compensation to which you are entitled.
Punitive damages are not explicitly outlined in Georgia’s wrongful death laws. As such, courts will award them only under exceptional circumstances.
How Are Wrongful Death Damages Distributed?
Wrongful death beneficiaries generally include the immediate family of the deceased. If no immediate family members are alive, the damages will go to the representative of the estate. Damages will be distributed evenly among all beneficiaries. There is one exception to this rule.
Per Georgia law, a victim’s spouse will never receive less than one-third of the damages awarded. If a beneficiary is a minor, any amount that is less than $15,000 will be held by the child’s natural guardian for the child’s benefit. If the child receives more than $15,000, it must be in the protection of a guardian of the child’s property.
Who has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
Georgia law details which family members can file a wrongful death claim and the priority that each party has in that claim. The order of priority in a wrongful death claim is as follows:
- Husband or wife (spouse)
- Children
- Parents
- Any other heir or next of kin (designated by estate-planning documents or by Georgia probate law)
Wrongful death cases often lead to messy probate disputes. Dealing with them in a compassionate yet productive manner requires deft legal skills. Speak with a Duluth wrongful death lawyer about how they can help. Their goal will be the receipt of the compensation you deserve.
Speak to a Duluth Wrongful Death Attorney Today
As experienced Gwinnett County wrongful death attorneys, Scholle Law has the skill, experience, and compassion to handle all aspects of your wrongful death matter. With our depth of experience in both wrongful death and probate law, we will work closely with executors or personal representatives to take care of details that can make your case a success.
As in all areas of our practice, we treat families who have lost a loved one with the respect, attention, and kindness they deserve.
We will do all we can to take the burden of recovering compensation off your shoulders so you and your family can focus on healing. Call us at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Duluth wrongful death lawyer today.