Losing a loved one is devastating, but if the sudden loss is due to another’s negligence, it is particularly excruciating for the families to bear. If you have lost a loved one and believe you have a wrongful death claim, call Henningsen Injury Attorneys P.C. to speak to an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer to discuss your options and answer your questions.
What is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death is a civil action against a person or entity that could be held liable for a death. When filing a wrongful death lawsuit, the surviving family members are able to seek justice on behalf of their loved one who passed away due to the recklessness, negligence, or criminal intent of another.
Compensation from a wrongful death claim is meant to provide financial support to the family members who depended on the deceased individual for their financial and emotional support. When a person or entity fails to behave in a way that a reasonable person would have acted under similar circumstances, thus leading to a wrongful death, then the surviving family members should hire an Atlanta wrongful death attorney who can prove that:
- The person/entity owed a duty of care to the deceased
- That their actions breached that duty of care
- The breach of the duty of care caused injury or death to the victim
- The death resulted in damages
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Under Georgia Law?
The law in Georgia specifies which individuals can file a wrongful death lawsuit in court, they include:
- The spouse of the deceased person
- In the case that the deceased does not have a surviving spouse, the surviving children, stepchildren, adopted children, or grandchildren may file a suit
- The parents of the deceased individual
- The designated representative of the deceased’s estate, who will then see that the damages are held in the estate and then properly distributed to the next-of-kin
Trust Our Atlanta Wrongful Death Attorneys To Fight For Your Legal Rights
At Henningsen Injury Attorneys, P.C., we understand that the loss of a loved one is never easy — and is even harder to bear — when caused by another person’s negligence. Our compassionate and dedicated wrongful death lawyers have been serving Atlanta and its surrounding communities for more than 45 years. We’re here to provide expert guidance, support, and compassion every step of the process as you seek justice (and the amount of money you’re due). Our law offices also handle pedestrian accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, and more.
We offer free, confidential consultations and handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning our clients do not pay for legal services until and unless we win in the courtroom, settle out of court, or close for a favorable settlement. Call (404) 800-6356 to schedule a case evaluation with a professional personal injury lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia today.
Types of Wrongful Death
Below are some examples of wrongful death claims our law firm handles.
DUI Accident
When a drunk driver causes a fatal accident, you and your family will have to deal with the grief that you don’t deserve to suffer.
The Personal Injury Lawyers at Henningsen Injury Attorneys P.C. understand the frustration our clients experience when they deal with insurance companies in drunk driving cases, in addition to the grief and loss they are trying to come to terms with. When the insurance company for the negligent driver does not fairly cover the losses you suffered, call the Atlanta wrongful death lawyers at Henningsen Injury Attorneys P.C.
Who Can I Sue for Atlanta Medical Malpractice?
Product Liability
When consumers use products the way they are intended, they trust that the manufacturer or distributor has done their due diligence to ensure that the product will not cause personal injury or lead to wrongful death. When a product is unreasonably dangerous and fails to perform safely when used as expected, then any number of parties could be held responsible. They include the manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, or retailer. Defective products can be cars or car parts, medical devices, pharmaceutical drugs, or children’s products.
Premises Liability
Premises liability fatalities occur when a property owner or manager neglects their duty to safety and causes someone to become injured and subsequently die from their injuries. The surviving family members have a right to file a premises liability wrongful death lawsuit in cases of:
- Assaults and attacks
- Daycare injuries
- Dog bites
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Fires and explosions
- Malfunctioning elevators or escalators
- Negligent security
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Swimming pool accidents and drowning
Medical Malpractice
After a loved one has died following a preventable medical error, the family of the wrongful death victim deserves a personal injury lawyer who will fight aggressively so that they can get the compensation that they deserve. Doctors, nurses, and hospitals are trusted to provide expert and quality care to patients, but sometimes a healthcare professional’s negligence can lead to wrongful death. Common examples of Medical Malpractice that can lead to a wrongful death case include:
- Birth Injuries
- Surgical Errors
- Anesthesia Errors
- Misdiagnosis Of An Illness Or Condition
- Delayed diagnosis
Healthcare providers, doctors, and hospitals that provide vital care are protected by laws that financially and legally shield them from many civil complaints. You will need an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer who is a fierce litigator and is not afraid to stand up for your rights. Using case law, expert witnesses, theories of liability, and thorough research, Henningsen Injury Attorneys P.C. works hard to find evidence that the doctor or healthcare provider was negligent and that their negligence resulted in wrongful death.
What is a duty of care
Whether a person drives a car, manufactures a product, or performs surgery, they have the legal responsibility to behave in a way that any prudent person would in the same circumstances and in accordance with applicable safety standards in their industry. This responsibility is called one’s Duty Of Care. A breach of the duty of care can lead to a wrongful death claim.
How Long Do I have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Atlanta?
According to the Georgia Statute Of Limitations, the surviving family member of a victim of wrongful death has two years from the date of the deceased’s passing to file their wrongful death case. However, that doesn’t mean you should wait that long. Since filing takes time, the statute can elapse. Call 404-948-6153 now to speak to an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover From a Wrongful Death Claim?
When a wrongful death occurs, it creates a daunting hardship for the surviving loved one. If you lost a family member to someone else’s negligence, then contact an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer near you at Henningsen Injury Attorneys P.C. We can review your circumstances and provide you customized information on the types of compensation you may be entitled to.
Typically in personal injury law, the victim is entitled to two main types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. Under Georgia law, wrongful death compensation also includes punitive damages in wrongful death cases that involve criminal acts.
Economic Damages
- Medical bills
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages for bereavement
- Loss of potential future earnings
- Other financial losses as applicable to your specific circumstances
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are losses that do not have a monetary value attached to them, such as loss of counsel, loss of consortium, and mental and emotional anguish.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are often given to drunk drivers or other negligent parties when they cause wrongful death accidents that take the lives of others. These damages are separate from your economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the driver whose negligence caused the accident. They are also intended to deter others from committing the same crime.
How Are Wrongful Death Settlements Paid Out In Georgia?
In Georgia, wrongful death claims are typically paid out to the surviving spouse, children, parents or estate depending on family structure. The surviving spouse will receive all compensation if there are no surviving children, while a spouse and children will have the spouse receiving one-third and the children splitting the rest. If there are only surviving parents, they split the compensation equally and if there are no surviving relatives, the estate will be split among the deceased’s next-of-kin. Speak with an Atlanta Wrongful Death Lawyer Near Me for more information on how settlements may be paid out in your specific case.
Consult an Atlanta Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
Atlanta Wrongful death attorneys from Henningsen Injury Attorneys P.C. can launch a thorough investigation into the circumstances of your loved one’s death. They can explain what rights you have, identify the individuals responsible for your loss, and file a lawsuit to seek damages from the liable party.
The defendant may try any number of counterarguments to avoid accepting responsibility for the death, such as claiming genuine confusion or misunderstanding. At Henningsen Injury Attorneys P.C., our experienced wrongful death lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia have years of experience getting to the bottom of what really happened and seeking the truth so that our clients can have the closure they deserve. We will never be able to take away the pain and suffering that your family is experiencing, but we can help you obtain financial compensation to help you move forward.
Looking for a wrongful death lawyer in Atlanta, GA but worried about cost? We believe that injured people — whatever their financial circumstances — should have a fighting chance in court against big corporations and predatory insurance companies.
At Henningsen Injury Attorneys, P.C., we offer legal services in wrongful death cases in Georgia on a Contingent Fee basis, meaning that our clients do not pay any upfront attorney fee; rather, we’ll only take a percentage of the settlement once it’s recovered. The settlements can then be used to cover expenses like doctor’s visits, ongoing medical needs, pain and suffering, other financial costs, and other non-economic damages. Clients don’t pay a single cent if no compensation is awarded.
An experienced Atlanta wrongful death lawyer can help:
- Gather evidence and interview witnesses;
- Determine liable parties;
- Negotiate A Fair Settlement;
- Advise On The Best Legal Strategy;
- Represent You In Court.