Wrongful Death Attorneys in Morrow, GA

Coping with the death of a loved one can be difficult enough, let alone when one is faced with the knowledge that that person died as the result of another’s intentional or negligent conduct. When someone suffers an untimely death that was totally preventable, it leaves close family members with a lot of questions that are unanswered, and the pain and grief that comes with such a loss can often seem unbearable.

Whether your loved one died as the result of a car, motorcycle, or construction accident, a wrongful death claim may be filed on your emotional and financial behalf. While it does not fix everything, receiving a wrongful death settlement helps a great deal when planning funeral or burial arrangements and your family’s future. A settlement can also help bring at least some sense of closure for grieving family members.

At Stein & Fox Accident Attorneys, we understand that losing someone close to you is a devastating event that can also cause a major financial burden for the entire family, and we are committed to helping those in this situation recover the just compensation they deserve. Our practice is focused exclusively on personal injury law, and our attorneys have extensive experience navigating the complexities of wrongful death claims and other complicated legal actions. We work with cases like these on a daily basis, and we have recovered more than $125 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.

Call the experienced wrongful death attorneys at Stein & Fox Accident Attorneys today if you need assistance filing a wrongful death suit in the Atlanta, GA area.

What Is a Wrongful Death Suit, and Who May File One?

Wrongful death in the state of Georgia is defined as the death of an individual caused by the “reckless, negligent, intentional, or criminal acts” of another. The primary difference between a personal injury claim and a wrongful death claim is the injured individual is no longer around to bring the case to court.

Wrongful death suits are usually filed by a close relative of the decedent, or the decedent’s estate in the following order:

• Spouse: The first person who would be entitled to bring a wrongful death action is the decedent’s surviving spouse. However, if there are also surviving children in addition to the spouse, then the action is brought on behalf of the children as well. No matter how many dependents are involved in a wrongful death claim, Georgia law states the surviving spouse is entitled to at least a third of the wrongful death settlement.

• Child(ren): If the decedent has no surviving spouse, then any surviving children would be next in line to bring a wrongful death claim. In such cases, proceeds from the recovery would be divided equally among each child.

• Parent(s): If the decedent did not leave behind a surviving spouse or any surviving children, then any surviving parent could bring a wrongful death action.

• Estate: When there is no surviving spouse and no surviving children or parents, then a wrongful death lawsuit can be brought by the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. In cases like these, proceeds from any amount recovered would be divided among the decedent’s next of kin in accordance with Georgia probate laws.

Common examples of wrongful death actions we have handled for our Atlanta-area clients include the following:

• Defective medical devices or products
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
• Hospital and birth injuries
• Construction accidents
• Nursing home abuse or neglect
• Slip-and-falls
• Car, motorcycle, tractor-trailer, and bus accidents
• Contaminated food, sanitation issues, or improper alcohol service
• Drowning or boating accidents
• Accidental prescription drug overdoses (unintentional poisoning)

How to File for a Wrongful Death Suit in Clayton County

While it is difficult to place a price tag on the value of a person’s life, Stein & Fox Accident Attorneys offers skilled representation in wrongful death suits in Morrow and the surrounding areas. We want our clients to receive the maximum amount of legal compensation they are entitled to under these difficult circumstances.

Compensation from wrongful death actions are meant to help surviving loved ones secure their financial future after a close family member passes away. Some of the forms of compensation that may be sought include:

• Medical expenses incurred prior to the decedent’s death
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering prior to the decedent’s death
• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost future wages
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of comfort, care, guidance, and support

In more limited cases in which the actions of the party responsible for the decedent’s death were especially egregious, punitive damages may be awarded in order to “punish” the wrongdoer and help deter them and others from similar conduct in the future.

It is important to note that wrongful death suits are usually civil cases unless the death involved homicide, which may trigger a separate criminal case. However, a wrongful death civil action can be brought even if the defendant is not charged criminally for the action that caused the individual’s death.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Suits?

In the majority of wrongful death suits, the statute of limitations in Georgia is two years. However, if a criminal court case is also involved, the time limit may be suspended until the criminal case is resolved. There are also certain circumstances in which a wrongful death claim may be filed up to seven years after the individual’s death if the estate was not probated.

No matter how your loved one died, Stein & Fox Accident Attorneys can help. Please call us to determine the strength of your wrongful death claim and to ensure it is being filed under the appropriate statute of limitations. Our wrongful death attorneys in Morrow know the burden of proof required to establish such a case, including medical records, surveillance footage, witness accounts, and more to help families seeking the compensation they deserve.

Contact Us Today for a Wrongful Death Case Review

While no sum of money can ever truly replace the loved one that you have lost, filing a wrongful death claim may significantly help you cope with overwhelming medical bills and funeral expenses. Stein & Fox Accident Attorneys has helped thousands of families dealing with a loss like yours.

When it comes to wrongful death suits in Atlanta and Morrow, give us a call to request a free case assessment. No matter how much time has elapsed since your loved one’s death, our compassionate, knowledgeable wrongful death attorneys are always just a phone call away. Contact us today to help make the path to recovery a little bit easier after your family’s loss.