Newnan 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.
A wrongful death lawsuit can help protect your financial well-being by pursuing compensation for your loved one’s lost future income, medical and funeral expenses, the loss of the value they brought to the household, and more. You may also be compensated for non-financial losses, such as the loss of the relationship you had with them.
Charles Scholle and his team at Scholle Law know firsthand how devastating the loss of a loved one can be. When you hire us to represent you, we will take the mental and emotional burden of taking legal action off your shoulders so you can focus on what is most important. We treat every client with the compassion, care, and attention they deserve, just as we have for over 25 years.
Call us at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a wrongful death lawyer in Newnan.
Who Is Allowed to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Georgia law details which family members can file a wrongful death claim, as well the priority that each party has in making 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)
What compensation can my family recover?
Georgia state law permits 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 rare instances, punitive damages may also be assessed. These are not considered “compensatory damages” because they are not intended to help you recoup your losses. Rather, they are assessed to punish, penalize, and/or deter the defendant from taking similar action in the future.
“Clear and convincing evidence” must prove that the at-fault party acted in a way that showed “willful misconduct, malice, fraud, wantonness, oppression, or that entire want of care which would raise the presumption of conscious indifference to consequences.”
Meeting these criteria is difficult, so punitive damages are very rarely awarded. When they are, only 25 percent of the total amount is awarded to the victim’s family, with the rest being paid to the state treasury.
Talk with a Newnan Wrongful Death Attorney Today
When an incident results in a fatal injury, the family of the victim may be able to recover compensation from the at-fault party. However, wrongful death laws are highly complex, which often deters families from pursuing legal action.
Charles Scholle and his team at Scholle Law know firsthand how devastating the loss of a loved one can be. When you hire us to represent you, we will take the mental and emotional burden of taking legal action off your shoulders so you can focus on what is most important. We treat every client with the compassion, care, and attention they deserve, just as we have for over 25 years.
Call us at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Newnan wrongful death lawyer.