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Georgia Wrongful Death Lawyer — What You Need to Know

When a car, truck, or motorcycle accident takes a life, Georgia law provides surviving family members with the right to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-1 through 51-4-5, the surviving spouse has the first right to file. If there is no surviving spouse, the children of the deceased may file; if there are no children, the parents may bring the claim. The personal representative of the estate may separately pursue a survival action for the deceased’s medical expenses and any conscious pain and suffering before death.

Georgia uses the “full value of the life” standard for wrongful death damages, which is among the most comprehensive in the country. This includes the deceased’s projected lifetime earnings, the value of services they would have provided to their family, the loss of companionship and emotional support, and the reasonable expenses of the last illness and funeral. Because these damages project far into the future, they often reach seven figures for working-age victims.

The statute of limitations for wrongful death in Georgia is two years from the date of death (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). However, the complexities of establishing standing, identifying all liable parties, and calculating lifetime damages make early legal action essential. Georgia Auto Law handles wrongful death cases with the seriousness and sensitivity that grieving families deserve — on a contingency basis, so families never face upfront costs during the most difficult time of their lives.

Georgia Wrongful Death Lawyers Who Fight for Families

Losing a loved one due to the negligence of another person or company is an unbearable tragedy. Although it can be difficult to cope with, it is important to seek justice on behalf of lost loved ones. Our wrongful death attorneys are able to help you file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek damages from the responsible party.

There are often surviving family members who are coping with the loss on an emotional level and also a financial level. A wrongful death lawsuit can help provide financial security and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.

What Is Wrongful Death Under Georgia Law?

Under Georgia law, wrongful death is the loss of a life due to the negligence of another person or company. Wrongful death lawsuits are pursued to hold the responsible party liable. You can bring a wrongful death claim against any person or company whose negligence caused another person’s death — from a negligent truck driver to a drunk driver to a company that failed to maintain its vehicles.

Georgia uses the “full value of the life” standard for wrongful death damages, which is among the most comprehensive in the country. This includes the deceased’s projected lifetime earnings, the value of services they would have provided to their family, the loss of companionship and emotional support, and reasonable expenses of last illness and funeral.

Punitive Damages in Wrongful Death Cases

In certain wrongful death cases, the court may award punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant for particularly reckless or willful conduct and to deter similar behavior in the future.

Georgia courts most commonly award punitive damages in wrongful death cases involving drunk driving, intentional misconduct, or grossly negligent commercial trucking operations. These damages can significantly increase the total recovery for surviving families.