Will I Be Required to Attend Any Court Hearings If I Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney?
What Circumstances Justify a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Examples of personal injury cases where a wrongful death lawsuit may be justified:
- Automobile accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Commercial truck accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability cases
- Defective product cases
- Boating accidents
- Bicycles accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Shootings or criminal attacks on commercial property
In almost any type of personal injury case where a person dies due to the reckless, careless, or negligent acts or behaviors of another person or entity, the family should consult with an attorney regarding a wrongful death lawsuit.
What Type of Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Each state has its own wrongful death laws. The compensation you are entitled to receive will depend on the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death and the wrongful death statute. In Georgia, most families who file a wrongful death lawsuit are entitled to receive damages under Georgia’s Wrongful Death Statute that include:
- The full value of the life of the decedent;
- Funeral, medical, and other necessary expenses as a result of your loved one’s injury and death; and,
- Medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other damages which occurred between your loved one’s injury and death.
Calculating the “full value of the life of the decedent” can be difficult. It requires an experienced and skilled Atlanta attorney that handles wrongful death cases because they understand the wrongful death statutes and will work hard to ensure the maximum value of your loved one’s case.
“Full value” includes economic components such as future earnings, pensions, retirement funds, investments, rental income, and other sources of income. Non-economic components are subjective and intangible; therefore, these damages are more difficult to calculate.
Non-economic components may include, but are not limited to, compensation for the loss of support and companionship of a spouse; the joys and shared responsibilities of raising children; the enjoyment of hobbies and recreation; the satisfaction gained from working and providing for a family; and, the joy of other activities you would engage in as part of a fulfilled life. It is extremely important to retain an experienced wrongful death attorney in Atlanta who understands the complicated wrongful death laws of Georgia to ensure your family receives the maximum compensation allowed by law.
Will I Be Required to Testify in Court if I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Many wrongful death claims are settled prior to filing a lawsuit; however, if a wrongful death lawsuit is filed, the lawsuit can still be settled at any point before a jury verdict is rendered. If we must go to trial because the other side will not negotiate fairly or the other side is contesting fault, you will likely be required to testify.
The main reason for your testimony is to bring “life” to the story of your loved one’s death. No one knows your loved one better than you therefore, no one is capable of making a jury understand how tragic this loss has been for you and for your family. In most cases, family members are glad they testified in a wrongful death case because they are able to give a voice to their loved one as they seek justice for a senseless and preventable death.
Have You Lost a Loved One Due to the Negligence of Another Person? Call an Experienced Atlanta Attorney Now!
The Atlanta lawyers of Council & Associates, LLC have the skill, experience, resources, and knowledge that are needed to handle a complex legal action such as a wrongful death lawsuit. Your loved one and your family deserve justice from the person or entity who caused your loved one’s death.
Call (404) 526-8857 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Please act quickly — you only have a limited time to file a Georgia wrongful death lawsuit. If you wait too long to contact an Atlanta attorney, you may lose your legal right to pursue a claim under Georgia’s wrongful death laws.
