Marietta Wrongful Death Lawyer

Woman Touching a HeadstoneThe loss of a family member is one of the most difficult times in any person’s life. But when that loss is caused by someone else’s negligence or actions, the sudden and unexpected nature of the death can only make your grief that much more powerful. While there are no words or amount of money that can make everything right again, a wrongful death lawsuit can provide some sense of peace for you and your family.

Through a wrongful death lawsuit, you can recover compensation for medical and funeral bills, your loved one’s future income, loss of the relationship you had with them, and other financial and intangible losses associated with their passing. In addition, a successful suit can hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions and hopefully prevent similar behavior in the future.

The attorneys at Scholle Law understand the pain you are likely feeling. For over 25 years, we have represented families of wrongful death victims with the compassion and attention they deserve. We will take the burden of the legal process from your shoulders so you and your family can focus on what is most important. 

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Marietta wrongful death lawyer, call us at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online today.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Cases

Any time a person suffers catastrophic injuries, there is a risk that those injuries will prove fatal. This means wrongful death can be caused by countless factors. The seven causes we see most often include:

Car accidents are among the most common causes of wrongful death. Traffic deaths can result from negligence. In some cases, a city or county can be liable because of dangerous road conditions. Vehicle manufacturers may also be liable for accident-causing defects.

Large trucks are some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road. Drivers of semi-trucks have a great duty of care. Your Duluth wrongful death lawyer may obtain compensation for this type of accident. Driver error, defective equipment, and employer negligence are potential triggers of liability. 

Healthcare professionals are human. They make mistakes and sometimes claim lives as a consequence. Our firm may be able to prove that a medical error caused your loved one's passing. 

Many careers are hazards to employees' health. Your attorney may be able to show that an employer contributed to your loved one's death. A third party may also be liable for a workplace accident

Manufacturers spend much time testing their products for safety. You may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for a defective product

Airplane and helicopter accidents are not common. When they do occur, the risk of fatal injury is great. The cause of an accident could be pilot error or mechanical failure. In these cases, liable parties may pay for the loss of your loved one.

 

What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Wrongful Death Case?

Woman hugging her crying girlfriend, supporting her after receiving bad newsGeorgia law discusses the types of damages that you may be awarded after your loved one’s wrongful death. Specifically, the law 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

In cases where the at-fault party’s actions or negligence were especially egregious, the court may also assess punitive damages. To quote the relevant law regarding punitive damages, they may only be assessed if there is clear evidence that “the defendant’s actions showed willful misconduct, malice, fraud, wantonness, oppression, or that entire want of care which would raise the presumption of conscious indifference to consequences.”

Punitive damages are separate from the compensatory damages above because they are not intended to make you financially whole. Rather, they are assessed to punish the defendant and/or deter similar behavior in the future. As such, the majority of any punitive damages are paid to the state treasury, not to the victim’s family. 

Who actually receives compensation from a wrongful death claim?

By law, 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: 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.

Speak to a Marietta Wrongful Death Attorney Today

Though money may be the last thing on your mind when your loved one is killed by someone else’s actions or negligence, the sad truth is that losing a family member can quickly drain your bank accounts, especially if your loved one was the main breadwinner. 

A successful wrongful death lawsuit can help ease the burden by providing compensation for medical and funeral bills, your loved one’s future income, loss of the relationship you had with them, and other financial and intangible losses associated with their passing. In addition, a successful suit can hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions and hopefully prevent similar behavior in the future.

The attorneys at Scholle Law understand the pain you are likely feeling. For over 25 years, we have represented families of wrongful death victims with the compassion and attention they deserve. We will take the burden of the legal process from your shoulders so you and your family can focus on what is most important. 

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Marietta wrongful death lawyer, call us at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online today.

Georgia Wrongful Death Lawyer