Close Menu
Personal Injury Lawyers That Truly Care click here How much is my case worth?
Columbia Personal Injury Attorney > Georgia Wrongful Death Attorney

Georgia Wrongful Death Lawyer

Dealing with the death of a loved one may be one of life’s most difficult experiences. When a family member dies as a result of someone else’s negligence or misconduct, the mourning period becomes much more difficult.

When a loved one passes away suddenly, it may be emotionally and financially painful. In certain situations, you and your family may have the legal right to file a wrongful death case and get the closure and financial recompense to which you are entitled.  Marc Brown Law Firm can help you.

What Is Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death occurs when a person is killed or dies as a result of another party’s negligence or wrongdoing. Wrongful death is explained in Georgia Code Title 51, Chapter 4 as a death caused by the criminal, reckless, negligent, or deliberate conduct of one person or entity. Certain persons can file a wrongful death claim if the events leading up to the death were suspicious – that is, if there are grounds to assume the death was caused by the fault of a specific party. Wrongful death claims are similar to personal injury claims, however, the victim died as a result of the injuries.

Who Can File A Wrongful Death Case In Georgia?

To file a wrongful death claim in Georgia, you must be the deceased person’s spouse, adult child, parent, or personal representative of the estate. If the deceased was just your best friend, you will not be able to submit a claim. Any damages collected in a wrongful death case must be transferred to the deceased person’s next of kin via personal representatives. If the deceased named beneficiaries in his or her estate, the representative must execute those directions in good faith and distribute the estate’s assets to those individuals. Should any of the beneficiaries be ineligible for disbursements, most estates will spell out how the inheritance would be distributed.

Georgia Statute Of Limitations For Wrongful Death Claims

In most circumstances, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Georgia is two years from the date of death, according to Ga. Code Ann. 9-3-20 et seq. There are certain exceptions, therefore if you have any questions, contact our attorneys.

Recoverable Damages In Georgia Wrongful Death Cases

Claimants in Georgia can collect damages in the amount of the entire worth of the decedent’s life without subtracting for any required or personal costs of the decedent had he or she lived, according to Georgia law. The available damages are intended to compensate the family and the decedent for both tangible and intangible losses. Medical expenses, lost income, loss of care and companionship, burial/funeral costs, and the decedent’s pain and suffering up to the date of death are all included.

Georgia law generally allocates one-third of the estate for the surviving spouse, with the balance divided among the children. If there is no will and no surviving children, spouse, or parents, the executor of the decedent’s estate may instead file a wrongful death claim. If a settlement is to be split between a surviving spouse and minor children under the age of 18, the minor children’s part of the settlement will be held in the care of the parent or guardian until they reach the age of 18.

In some circumstances, a defendant’s actions are so outrageously negligent or insensitive to the well-being of others that a jury may impose punitive damages to punish them even more. Georgia state law, on the other hand, does not acknowledge or even mention punitive damages under the Wrongful Death Act, thus Georgia appellate courts have often stated that they will apply the law as rigorously as feasible.

Contact Our Georgia Wrongful Death Attorney

It may be painful to lose a family member due to someone else’s negligence, especially if that individual was a source of support for your family. While no amount of money will compensate for the loss of a loved one, a wrongful death case can aid a family in financial distress.

Contact our Georgia wrongful death lawyer at Marc Brown Law Firm if a family member died as a result of someone else’s negligence.

Share This Page:
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Practice Areas

Car Accidents

When a car accident happens, your life may be turned upside down in a matter of seconds. Let us help to restore your life.

learn more

Trucking Accidents

Attorney Marc Brown is a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer. We can help you when you need it most.

learn more

Wrongful Death

Experiencing the death of a loved one is a difficult and emotional time. It can also be financially devastating. Let us help!

learn more

Slip & Fall

Marc Brown is an experienced slip and fall attorney that serves the entire states of South Carolina and Georgia.

learn more

Dog Bites

If you need legal help with a dog bite injury, reach out to a South Carolina dog bite lawyer at the Marc Brown Law Firm.

learn more

Crime Victims

In cases of shootings and other crimes, victims can seek financial compensation by filing a civil claim for damages.

learn more
click here view all practice areas

awards & memberships

Marc Brown

Marc Brown Law Firm

Meet Attorney Marc Brown

Marc Brown is an experienced personal injury and civil rights attorney serving clients throughout South Carolina and Georgia. Marc is motivated by the challenge of helping his clients solve their complex legal issues, and most importantly, he obtains favorable results. He is a caring and conscientious attorney who brings the experience and resources of a larger firm to his practices in Sumter and Columbia, SC.

A Personable & Dedicated South Carolina Attorney

As someone who has always had a keen sense of right and wrong and a desire to achieve excellence and fairness in all things, pursuing law was a natural career choice. After graduating with honors from the prestigious Emory University School of Law, Marc went on to become a dedicated litigator who focuses on personal injury, workers’ compensation, and criminal defense cases.

Why Choose Us?

Choosing an attorney is a very important decision, but it can be difficult. When you choose the Marc Brown Law Firm, we do everything we can to keep you informed, put your needs first, and to make sure justice is served. Here are just a few reasons to choose us:

The Right Experience

Attorney Marc Brown has experience that matters. Prior to opening this law firm, Marc spent nearly a half a decade defending big insurance companies and large corporations in personal injury and commercial litigation matters across the United States. Marc knows exactly how insurance companies and corporations evaluate claims and what they look at when deciding to increase the amount they are willing to pay. He thinks outside the box to find additional or hidden opportunities for favorable results.

We’ll Come To You

After being injured in a serious accident, you need to focus on getting better. Serious accidents can be hard on an individual, physically and emotionally. The Marc Brown Law Firm is dedicated to fight for you while you recover. If you are unable to travel to our office for any reason, we will personally visit you! Just give us a call to talk whenever you may be in need of assistance. We’re here to help.

Clients First

At the Marc Brown Law Firm, we choose to put our clients first. Our clients are more than just a case number. We think of each of our clients as extended members of the family. We make sure to inform our clients of all their legal options and provide timely updates throughout the life their case.

24/7 Availability

We are available around the clock for our clients. If at any point we are unavailable, we promise to promptly respond to all messages within hours.

Dedicated

We work hard so that our clients receive the justice they deserve! When necessary, Attorney Marc Brown retains investigators, engineers, and other experts to help prove your case. Insurance companies are big, but Marc is experienced and resourceful. We fight for each of our clients so that you can receive the maximum compensation available to you.

No Fees Unless We Win*

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront cost to clients. You only pay lawyer fees when we win your case. This also means that your attorney is only paid a percentage of what is recovered for you. The Marc Brown Law Firm has a vested interest in ensuring that each of our clients receive the maximum recovery available to them. We are determined to fight tirelessly to recover for you.

Marc Brown and The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 award