Did you recently lose a loved one due to someone else’s actions in Waycross, Georgia? Call The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at (229) 386-1376 for legal advice today. An experienced Waycross wrongful death lawyer can help you fight to maximize your family’s compensation.
Between us, our lawyers have over 16 years of experience advocating to protect the rights of injury victims and grieving families. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars in the process. Contact us today; our team is here to help you with the complexities of your case and fight for the money you need and deserve.
Why Should I Trust The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers To Handle My Family’s Waycross Wrongful Death Claim?
When you trust The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to handle your wrongful death claim in Waycross, GA, you’re hiring one of the most experienced teams of civil trial lawyers in South Georgia. Year after year, our attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers for our top-quality results.
Our founding attorney was formerly an insurance defense attorney. He has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies–and knows all of the tricks they’ll use to avoid paying a fair deal. We’re passionate about helping families like yours get justice. You’ve suffered an unimaginable loss–and now our Waycross personal injury attorneys are here to fight for you.
If you’re ready to learn more about how an experienced Waycross personal injury attorney can help, call us for a free consultation today.
Overview of Georgia’s Laws on Wrongful Death
Personal injury laws are designed to compensate victims when others cause them harm. Sadly, not all victims survive. When an injury proves fatal, the right to seek compensation does not simply disappear. The victim’s surviving loved ones retain the right to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Like personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death matters are civil issues. The only remedy is financial compensation. The right to sue for damages arises regardless of whether the defendant is facing criminal charges. In fact, most wrongful death claims involve accidental deaths.
Who Is Permitted To Sue for Wrongful Death in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, the right to bring a wrongful death claim follows a specific order of priority:
- The surviving spouse has the first right to file the claim.
- If there is no surviving spouse, the victim’s children may file the claim.
- If there is no surviving spouse or children, the victim’s parents may file the claim.
- If none of these relatives survive, the personal representative of the estate may bring the wrongful death claim on behalf of the next of kin.
A wrongful death claim seeks to recover the “full value of the life of the decedent” from the perspective of the deceased person. Any recovery is distributed to the eligible surviving family members according to Georgia law.
Separate from the wrongful death claim, the personal representative of the estate may also file an estate claim to recover certain financial losses related to the death.
What Is My Waycross Wrongful Death Case Worth?
A wrongful death claim seeks to recover the “full value of the life of the decedent,” measured from the perspective of the person who passed away. This includes both the economic and intangible value of that person’s life.
Waycross wrongful death attorneys evaluate several factors when determining the value of a claim, including:
- The victim’s age and life expectancy at the time of death
- The victim’s earning capacity, work history, education, and expected future income
- The value of services the victim would have provided to their household
- The relationships, experiences, and enjoyment of life that the victim lost
- The circumstances surrounding the fatal incident
- Whether shared fault may affect recovery under Georgia law
Separate from the wrongful death claim, the victim’s estate may also pursue compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and any conscious pain and suffering experienced prior to death.
What Types of Damages Are Available To Surviving Family Members in a Successful Waycross Wrongful Death Case?
A wrongful death claim seeks to recover the “full value of the life of the decedent,” measured from the perspective of the person who passed away.
This may include:
- The income and benefits the victim would likely have earned over their lifetime
- The value of services the victim would have provided to their household
- The intangible value of life, including relationships, experiences, and the enjoyment of living
These damages are recovered for the benefit of eligible surviving family members under Georgia law.
What Happens to My Family’s Right To Recover Compensation if My Loved One Is Blamed for a Wrongful Death in Georgia?
Your family could lose your right to compensation entirely if your loved one shared too much blame for the accident that caused their death. Georgia has a modified comparative negligence law with a 50% bar to recovery.
In plain English, your family loses your right to compensation if your loved one’s share of fault was 50% or more. Assuming they shared some fault, but less than 50% of the blame, your family’s compensation award is reduced to account for the victim’s share of fault.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer To Handle a Wrongful Death Claim in Waycross?
Your family has been through a tragic ordeal. The last thing you need to worry about is one more expense. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Like most injury law firms, we only take attorneys’ fees if we succeed in recovering compensation for a client.
There are no upfront costs, and you’ll never pay unless your attorney secures compensation in your case.
Our Attorneys in Waycross Handle All Types of Wrongful Death Claims
Wrongful deaths can occur in any number of situations. At The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of wrongful death cases, including those involving:
- Car accidents
- Falls from heights
- Accidents involving large semi-trucks
- Dangerous property conditions
- Medical negligence and malpractice
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Defective products
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Intentional torts, or violent criminal acts
We know you’re grieving an incredibly difficult loss. Still, it’s important that you seek legal advice as quickly as you can. The sooner our lawyers begin investigating the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death, the better the chances of reaching the best possible outcome in your case.
What Is Negligence and How Do I Prove It To Win a Wrongful Death Case in Georgia?
Negligence is the legal basis for most wrongful death claims. While some cases are based on intentional torts–meaning intentional wrongdoing–most involve accidents. To win a negligence-based wrongful death case, your family must prove:
- The defendant owed your loved one a legal duty of care
- They failed to use a reasonable amount of caution, thus breaching or violating their duty of care
- The breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of death
- Your family suffered damages or losses due to the defendant’s actions or omissions
While your family focuses on grieving and healing, our attorneys will be searching for evidence to prove each element of your claim.
How Long Do I Have To File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Fatal Accident in Georgia?
Time is always limited when you’re considering seeking compensation from another party. In Georgia, the wrongful death statute of limitations is two years. That means you have two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit. Once two years pass, you cannot sue the at-fault party for compensation.
Contact a Trusted Waycross Wrongful Death Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
Do you have questions about your family’s right to seek compensation for wrongful death in Waycross, Georgia? Call The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case review with an experienced Waycross wrongful death attorney today. We have the skills to help you pursue every dollar you deserve.
