Helping Atlanta-Area Families Recover from Wrongful Deaths
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. 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. Call the experienced wrongful death attorneys at Stein & Fox LLC 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 surviving spouse, child, parent, or next-of-kin/an estate seeking compensation for medical, funeral, and burial expenses and overall pain and suffering. 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. Common examples of wrongful death suits 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 LLC offers skilled representation in wrongful death suits in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. We want our clients to receive the maximum amount of legal compensation they are entitled to under these difficult circumstances. Additional considerations are given to lost wages and benefits for dependent spouses and children, as well as to the loss of enjoyment of life and any pain and suffering experienced by the individual before their death (both physical and emotional). Wrongful death suits are usually civil cases unless the wrongful death involved homicide, which may be a separate criminal case.
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 LLC 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 Atlanta 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 an Atlanta Wrongful Death Case Review
While no lump 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 LLC 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.
