Losing a loved one is always a heartbreaking experience. When death happens because of someone else’s actions, it’s even harder to bear. If you’ve suffered a loss from an accident in Athens, it’s time to contact a lawyer.
Our personal injury lawyers in Athens are here to help. We’ve been helping injured people and their families for over 25 years. We know what it takes to win wrongful death claims.
Learn your legal options during a free case review today. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
What Qualifies As Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death is a legal action where someone seeks money for a death. A person’s or party’s actions result in the death of a person. In response, specific family members can bring a wrongful death claim to recover damages.
Damages someone might seek for wrongful death include:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Funeral and burial expenses
A wrongful death claim is not a criminal case. Even if criminal charges were involved, a wrongful death case is about someone’s negligence (or carelessness) leading to death.
How Much Is a Typical Wrongful Death Settlement?
Wrongful death claims can be significant. However, every situation is different. Someone might receive hundreds of thousands or several millions of dollars.
How much you can receive depends on the circumstances of your case. Thankfully, you can get an idea of your potential settlement by talking to an Athens wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.
Schedule a free consultation today to learn your options. Our compassionate and experienced attorneys are ready to help you.
Who Has the Right to Sue for Wrongful Death?
Family members can bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of a deceased loved one. Instead of claiming damages for themselves, loved ones must file the case from the perspective of the person who died.
Only a few people can bring a wrongful death case, according to OCGA §51-4-2. They include (in order):
- The deceased’s spouse
- The deceased’s children
- The deceased’s parents
- A representative for the deceased’s estate
If the deceased had minor children, the spouse can help file a claim on the children’s behalf. No one else can file a wrongful death claim. If you’re not sure about your qualifications, talk to an attorney about the details.
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How to Choose a Wrongful Death Lawyer
You should feel comfortable with your lawyer. Wrongful death is a sensitive topic that requires compassion and understanding. First, you want a lawyer who has the right experience.
But you also want someone who will listen to your concerns and have your family’s best interests in mind. Before hiring a wrongful death attorney, ask them about:
- Their legal background and years of experience
- Memberships in any bar associations or organizations
- Examples of cases like yours they’ve handled
- How often they handle cases like yours
- What to expect in the process
- How you’ll be able to communicate
Wrongful death cases can be lengthy and complicated, but they help bring closure to loved ones. If you lost a family member in an accident, don’t wait to get started. Talk to an experienced attorney about how they can support you.
Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations
Most of the time, you must file a wrongful death claim within two years of the date of death. Trying to file outside of that deadline will usually prevent you from recovering anything.
If the deceased person’s estate is not probated, you can “pause” the limitations period for up to five years. In that case, someone might file a claim several years after the death.
It’s best to play it safe by starting on your claim today. Talk to a lawyer who can handle the legal side of things while your family grieves. While money can never make up for a lost life, it can help families recover costs and start to move on.
Damages You Can Recover for Wrongful Death
This type of claim seeks to recover the “full value of a life.” That means considering everything the person has lost because of the death. There are two main types of damages: economic losses and non-economic losses.
Economic damages are about monetary losses like medical bills, medication lists, and lost income. You can show these damages through bills, receipts, and other documents. Your lawyer will calculate these losses based on their dollar values.
The other category is more complicated. Non-economic damages are about the emotional side of things like loss of relationships or pain and suffering the loved one experienced before death. These are intangible needs that the wrongful death took from the deceased.
What a Wrongful Death Lawyer Costs to Hire
It’s normal to worry about the cost of an attorney after a tragic death. But thankfully, getting legal help is risk-free with John Foy & Associates. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:
- You pay nothing upfront.
- We only collect a fee if we win you money.
- The consultation is 100% free.
You only pay us if we win your case. Even then, the fee comes directly from your settlement or court award. There are no upfront or out-of-pocket costs to worry about while we work on your claim.
From beginning to end, your compensation is our number one priority. We’ll listen to your concerns and fight for what your family deserves. We’re also not afraid of complicated or lengthy cases.
Talk to an Athens Wrongful Death Lawyer During a Free Case Review
Get a free, no-risk consultation today to learn your legal options. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to take your call. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get your free legal consultation.
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